Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2017-182-1
Reference: 2017-182
Ottawa, 28 January 2019
File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0116 and 8665-C12-201507008
Next-generation 9-1-1 – Modernizing 9-1-1 networks to meet the public safety needs of Canadians
Revised deadline for submission of ESWG report: 30 November 2019
Extension request for submission of ESWG report
- In Next-generation 9-1-1 – Modernizing 9-1-1 networks to meet the public safety needs of Canadians, Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2017-182, 1 June 2017 (Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-182), the Commission requested, among other things, that the Emergency Services Working Group (ESWG) (i) further evaluate the introduction of user-provided information, including defining what information to collect and any appropriate mechanism(s) to enable this collection, as well as the feasibility of using a national next-generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) application or a web portal to collect this information; and (ii) submit a report with recommendations to the Commission by 31 December 2018. Consequently, the ESWG created task ESTF0091 – Additional Data Considerations.
- By letter dated 30 November 2018, the ESWG requested that the 31 December 2018 deadline be extended to 30 November 2019 for it to file an interim report (or a final report if ready) with the Commission outlining a plan to implement the provision of additional data when a 9-1-1 call is made, including recommendations related to proposed timelines, risks, and considerations.
- The ESWG provided the following reasons for not being able to file the report by 31 December 2018: (i) National Emergency Number Association (NENA) standards for user-provided information are still being developed and are not expected to be made available until later in 2019; (ii) essential ESWG experts are occupied with numerous other tasks related to the launch of NG9-1-1 voice trials by the Commission-imposed 28 February 2019 deadline; (iii) it is a significant challenge to find an experienced leader for this complex task due to the other critical path items that are currently underway; and (iv) the anticipated work required to complete the report will take a significant amount of time due to the technical, logistical, and operational complexities involved.
Commission’s analysis and determinations
- The Commission made its determinations in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-182 with a view to achieve the strategic objective of using standards-based telecommunications service solutions that allow for flexibility and strive for national consistency. As such, use of the NENA standards for user-provided information is vital to ensure the accuracy of the ESWG’s assessment for the Canadian environment, consistent with the Commission’s telecommunications policy objectives.
- The Commission recognizes that the ESWG is dealing with numerous matters concerning 9-1-1 services, including the transition to NG9-1-1, which is a highly complex undertaking.
- The Commission considers that granting the proposed extension will enable the ESWG to conduct a comprehensive review and provide a higher-quality report. As well, since the Commission did not define user-provided information in its direction to launch NG9-1-1 voice services, granting the proposed extension will not affect the Commission-directed launch date of 30 June 2020 for NG9-1-1 voice services.
- In light of the above, the Commission approves the ESWG’s extension request.
Secretary General
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