Telecom - Commission Letter addressed to Mr. Stan Thompson (Northwestel Inc.)
Ottawa, 7 April 2022
Our reference: 8698-N1-202201557
BY EMAIL
Mr. Stan Thompson
Chief Financial Officer & Vice-President
Northwestel Inc.
regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca
RE: Northwestel Inc. - Application for modified implementation of 10-digit local dialing – Expedited process
On 5 April 2022, the Commission received a Part 1 application from Northwestel Inc. (Northwestel), in which it requested that the Commission approve the implementation of mandatory 10-digit local dialing in the Yellowknife Local Interconnection Region only, while the remainder of the 867 numbering plan area code would allow for both seven-digit and 10-digit local dialing on a permissive basis (Northwestel’s Part 1 application). Northwestel noted that this implementation is in support of the anticipated introduction of the three-digit abbreviated dialing code (three-digit code) for mental health crisis and suicide prevention services being evaluated by the Commission in Telecom Notice of Consultation 2021-191,Footnote1 and argued that its proposal ensures a more efficient and faster launch of a three-digit code in its serving territory. Further, Northwestel requested that the Commission approve the request either before, or in conjunction with, its determinations on the Telecom Notice of Consultation 2021-191.
Commission staff notes that the issues raised in Northwestel’s Part 1 application are closely linked to those being examined as part of Telecom Notice of Consultation 2021-191, and that a timely resolution of the issues raised in both proceedings would greatly benefit the public interest. In light of this, and given that the matters under review in both proceedings impact the health and safety of Canadians, staff considers that it would be appropriate to establish an expedited process for Northwestel’s Part 1 application.
As such, interventions to Northwestel’s Part 1 application must be filed with the Commission by 21 April 2022, and Northwestel will have until 26 April 2022 to reply. These submissions must be received, not merely sent, by the above dates.
Relevant parties have been copied to this letter for the sake of expediency.
Yours sincerely,
Original signed by
Lisanne Legros
Director
Telecommunications Networks Policy
c.c.: Matthew Tošaj, CRTC, 819-878-6887, matthew.tosaj@crtc.gc.ca
Sylvie Labbé, CRTC, 819-953-4945, sylvie.labbe@crtc.gc.ca
Attachment: Distribution list
Distribution list:
Susan_Martin@gov.nt.ca;
marie.sedivy@gov.ab.ca;
direction@adoo.ca;
bell.regulatory@bell.ca;
canadadeafgrassrootsmovement@gmail.com;
wissam@cad.ca;
communications@cwta.ca;
ugrant@cwta.ca;
helen.davies@camh.ca;
stephanie.carter@camh.ca;
ExecDirector@cav-acs.ca;
regulatory@distributel.ca;
christopher.hickey@distributel.ca;
regulatory.matters@corp.eastlink.ca;
regulatory@iristel.com;
regaffairs@quebecor.com;
info@rcpsq.org;
regulatory@rci.rogers.com;
document.control@sasktel.com;
laura.foulds@tbaytel.com;
regulatory@teksavvy.ca;
regulatory.affairs@telus.com;
regulatory@deafwireless.ca;
richmanelliott@gmail.com;
jlawford@piac.ca;
president@secteurmunicipal.ca;
nblais@scfp.ca;
lisa@deafwireless.ca;
tsaryeddine@cafc.ca;
mcclarenalexa@hotmail.com;
sallen@agence911.org;
holly.rasky@kidshelpphone.ca;
mrodrigue@mentalhealthcommission.ca;
peter.turner@cyfn.net;
advocacy@meritnational.com;
adrienne.hill@nndfn.com;
lisa@badenhorst.ca;
national@nupge.ca;
regulatory@ssimicro.com.
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