ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Procedural Letter addressed to Barry Chapman (Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership)
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Ottawa, 10 March 2015
Mr. Barry Chapman
Vice President – Regulatory Affairs
Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership
160 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2C4
Via Email: bell.regulatory@bell.ca
Re: Part 1 Applications 2015-0217-0 and 2015-0218-8 by Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership to request certain expedited relief in connection with the requirements for mandatory distribution of emergency alert messages set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2014-444
Dear Mr. Chapman:
This letter is in response to the above-noted applications by Bell ExpressVu Limited Partnership (Bell ExpressVu) requesting an extension to the date by which Bell ExpressVu must implement a public alerting system, consistent with the determinations in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2014-444, Amendments to various regulations, the standard conditions of licence for video-on-demand undertakings and certain exemption orders - Provisions requiring the mandatory distribution of emergency alert messages (BRP 2014-444).
In order to complete the analysis of this application, please provide responses to the following questions:
- Provide an explanation as to why the applications were not filed until 3 March 2015.
Older Model PVRs
- In the applications, Bell ExpressVu noted that an older PVR model (PVR model 5200) cannot be modified to receive emergency alerts and that 2,450 customers are using this model. Provide the number of customers leasing the PVR model 5200 and the number of customers who have purchased that PVR.
- Provide the cost to replace each PVR model 5200 with the NPAS capable PVR identified in the applications.
VOD
- Provide the total number of subscribers that are impacted by the inability to receive emergency alerts when while viewing video-on-demand (VOD) programming.
- In your application, you note that while Bell ExpressVu customers will not be able to receive emergency alerts while watching VOD, they will be able to receive emergency alerts while watching broadcast channels. Given the technical explanation provided for your VOD service, where videos are pushed and stored on the PVR and played back when the viewer selects it, confirm whether the NPAS solution will work when viewers select video programming recorded to the PVR from a broadcast channel.
- Indicate whether Bell ExpressVu intends to inform affected customers of their inability to receive emergency alerts from the NPAS. Provide a communications plan to this effect.
Please provide your response by no later than 13 March 2015 by using the secured service “My CRTC Account” (Partner Log In or GCKey). Copies of your response should also be sent to Stephan.Meyer@crtc.gc.ca.
Procedural Request
Bell ExpressVu requested that the Commission consider the applications on an expedited basis, in view of the fact that participation in the National Public Alerting System (NPAS) is required by no later than 31 March 2015.
Given the importance of the implementation of the mandatory distribution of emergency alert messages, Commission staff considers it important to give interested persons a reasonable opportunity to comment on Bell ExpressVu’s applications.
Commission staff notes however, that Bell ExpressVu is seeking approval to postpone the implementation of the NPAS for three months from 31 March 2015 to until 30 September 2015.
In light of all the above, the timetable for the proceeding is changed as follows:
Interventions may be filed by 23 March 2015.
Bell ExpressVu may file its reply comments, if applicable, by 26 March 2015.
A copy of this letter and all related correspondence will be added to the public record associated with your application.
Should you need further information concerning this procedural letter, please do not hesitate to contact me at 613-410-8708 or Stephan.Meyer@crtc.gc.ca.
Yours sincerely,
Original signed by
Stephan Meyer
Manager, Network Technology
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