Telecom - Commission Letter addressed to Imran Khan (Northwestel Inc.)
Ottawa, 29 September 2022
Our reference: 1011-NOC2022-0147
BY EMAIL
Imran Khan
Northwestel Inc.
10th Floor
5201 Franklin Ave #100
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, X1A 2P1
regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca
RE: Telecom Notice of Consultation 2022-147, Telecommunications in the Far North, Phase II – Northwestel’s procedural request to delay consideration of issues relevant to satellite-dependent communities
Imran Khan:
This letter is in response to a procedural request filed by Northwestel on 26 August 2022. This letter addresses the request to defer the consideration of issues relevant to satellite-dependent communities (SDCs) until an unspecified future date.
Northwestel currently uses Telesat’s Anik F2 satellite to provide telecommunications services in SDCs in the Far North. The satellite has experienced a technical failure. Telesat is working with its customers, including Northwestel, to ensure service continuity. Northwestel argued that postponing the proceeding with respect to SDCs until Northwestel’s plans to ensure service continuity around the Anik F2 issue are finalized and made public will allow Northwestel and interested parties to have a more informed and constructive exchange about the future of telecommunications services in SDCs. Northwestel stated that it could not recommend when the consideration of issues relevant to SDCs should resume, but it was prepared to update the Commission on the situation in early 2023.
SSi Canada and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre opposed Northwestel’s request, in letters dated 30 August and 9 September 2022, respectively. Northwestel replied to SSi Canada’s comments in a letter dated 6 September 2022.
The Commission is of the view that it is not necessary or appropriate to delay consideration of issues relevant to SDCs as proposed by Northwestel. Accordingly, the Commission denies Northwestel’s procedural request to delay the consideration of issues relevant to SDCs.
The Commission considers that an evidentiary record can and should continue to develop on issues relevant to SDCs while the Anik F2 issue is being resolved. As set out in Telecom Notice of Consultation 2022-147, requests for information will be issued prior to 22 November 2022.
To ensure the development of a complete and timely record on the Anik F2 issue, relevant information on the matter will be requested from parties in an upcoming request for information.
A copy of this letter will be placed on the public record of this proceeding.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Claude Doucet
Secretary General
c.c:
Nicolas Gatto, CRTC, nicolas.gatto@crtc.gc.ca
Celia Millay, CRTC, celia.millay@crtc.gc.ca
SSi Canada, regulatory@ssicanada.co; regulatory@ssimicro.com
Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), piac@paic.ca
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