ARCHIVED - Telecom Commission Letter Addressed to Jason Bennet (Airtel Wireless Ltd.)
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Ottawa, February 18 2016
Our reference: 8638-C12-200314641
BY EMAIL
Mr. Jason Bennett
Technical Manager
Airtel Wireless Ltd.
Jason.bennett@airtelwireless.ca
Re: Obligations of wireless service providers with respect to customer notification of 9-1-1 service availability, characteristics and limitations
On 5 January 2016 and 1 February 2016, Airtel Wireless Ltd. (Airtel) filed information via emails to Commission staff related to its obligations with respect to customer notification of 9-1-1 service availability, characteristics and limitations. Airtel responses did not provide all information requested in the Commission staff letter dated 28 July 2015.
The information Airtel is to provide can be found in Appendix A of the staff letter, which is a copy of a letter dated 21 February 2005 to WSPs. Specifically, as outlined in the Conclusions section of the 21 February 2005 letter:
All WSPs are to provide their customers with a) user tips to remember when calling 9-1-1 from a wireless phone, and b) information which outlines the availability, characteristics and limitations of wireless 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 service as applicable in their respective operating territory.
Furthermore, as per the paragraph entitled Periodic Notification of the same letter:
All WSPs are to provide the 911 information in a) and b) above, updated as required, on their websites
Accordingly, you are required to file with the Commission no later than 1 March 2016, a plan of action, including milestone dates, showing how and when Airtel will be compliant with this requirement.
Staff notes that emails to Commission staff are generally not sufficient to formally file information with the Commission. For more information on how to file information electronically with the Commission please visit: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/g100.htm.
As a reminder and included in the 28 July 2015 staff letter, as per Telecom Decision 2002-13 - Extending the availability of alternative formats to consumers who are blind, the Commission established a condition under which billing statements and bill inserts must be provided in alternative format to subscribers who are blind, on request, and information setting out rates, terms and conditions of a service must be provided to subscribers or potential subscribers who are blind. Conditions of service includes the availability, characteristics and limitations of 9-1-1 service provided. This information must be provided in alternate formats by Airtel Wireless should it receive a request from a customer who is blind.
A copy of this letter and all subsequent correspondence will be place on the public record of the above-noted file and may be used by the Commission to make determinations of non-compliance with the 9-1-1 customer notification requirements and to pursue further enforcement mechanisms. If you have any questions with regards to this letter, please contact Joel McGrath at (819) 635-7485 or joel.mcgrath@crtc.gc.ca.
Yours sincerely,
Original signed by
Joel McGrath
Senior Analyst, Competition and Emergency Service Policy
Telecommunications Sector
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