ARCHIVED - Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2012-309

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Ottawa, 24 May 2012

Establishment of a CISC ad hoc committee for relief planning for area code 902 in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

File number: 8698-C12-201206152

With this notice, the Commission announces the establishment of a CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee ad hoc relief planning committee (RPC) to examine options and make recommendations for providing numbering relief to area code 902 in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The Commission invites members of the public and telecommunications service providers to participate in the RPC’s activities.

Introduction

1.      On 29 March 2012, the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) released the results of the latest numbering resource utilization forecasts,¹ which indicated that relief planning for area code 902 should begin. Area code 902 covers the entire provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

2.      The Commission-approved Canadian Numbering Plan Area Relief Planning Guidelines (the Guidelines) provide the framework for addressing area code exhaust in Canada. The Guidelines establish a step-by-step process to be followed by the CNA and relief planning committees (RPCs). The Guidelines require relief planning activities to begin if an area code is projected to exhaust within the next 72 months.

3.      The telecommunications industry conducts area code relief planning in a public manner through an ad hoc RPC under the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC). Part of the role of an RPC is to encourage public awareness and participation in the RPC’s activities.

Area code 902 RPC

4.      With this notice, the Commission establishes the area code 902 ad hoc RPC (the 902 RPC) under CISC and directs the CNA to chair this committee.

5.      The scope of the 902 RPC’s relief planning activities is limited to the consideration of solutions for introducing new numbering resources within the area currently served by area code 902. Since area code relief planning does not affect local and long distance calling patterns or rates, these issues are outside the scope of the 902 RPC’s relief planning activities.

6.      In rendering its decision on the relief measures to be adopted, the Commission will consider all relief options identified and recommendations made by the 902 RPC.

7.      The Commission directs the 902 RPC, in developing its recommendations, to set aside seven central office (CO) codes for initial code assignments for carriers already providing service in the area served by area code 902. The Commission also directs the 902 RPC to set aside 10 CO codes for initial code assignments exclusively for new entrants, and to ensure that this pool of CO codes remains in place for a period of two years after the introduction of the new area code in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island or until the pool is depleted, whichever occurs first.

8.      The Commission notes that the 902 RPC may contemplate relief measures that would require some customers to change their telephone numbers. The Commission therefore encourages members of the public to participate in the 902 RPC’s activities.

Jeopardy condition

9.      The Commission notes that the creation of the CO code pools mentioned above will advance the exhaust date for area code 902, which is now estimated to be in April 2015. As a result, area code 902 is now in a jeopardy condition as determined by the Guidelines². Accordingly, the Commission considers that there is an urgent need for relief planning to commence immediately.

10.  With the declared jeopardy condition, the Commission considers that code conservation measures are necessary to ensure that numbering resources are not exhausted before relief measures can be implemented. The Commission therefore directs that while the area code 902 jeopardy condition is in effect, the number of CO code assignments per carrier shall not exceed that submitted by each carrier to the CNA for the January 2012 Relief Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast for area code 902.

Procedure

11.  The CNA is to announce the location and time of the 902 RPC’s meetings and is to make all related documentation available on its website at www.cnac.ca. Members of the public who wish to participate in the 902 RPC’s activities may also reach the CNA by telephone at 613-563-7242.

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