Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to Mélanie Cardin (Québecor Média Inc.)
Ottawa, 05 April 2024
Reference(s): 8000-C12-202306860
BY EMAIL
Mélanie Cardin
Director, Regulatory Projects, Telecommunications
Québecor Média inc.
612, Saint-Jacques, Tour Sud, 15è étage
Montréal, QC, H3C 4M8
melanie.cardin@quebecor.com
Subject: Request for information regarding distribution of public alerts on 5G Network
Commission staff received a complaint from a Videotron customer on 31 December 2023 stating they were unable to receive wireless public alerts on their iPhone 12 Pro Max while connected to Videotron’s 5G network in Montréal, QC. The customer indicated that when connected to 4G-Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, they could receive wireless public alerts. Furthermore, the customer also stated that Videotron representatives, in response to their inquiry, informed them that their 5G network is not compatible with wireless public alerting (WPA).
Commission staff notes that as part of its public alerting regulatory framework, Canadian Wireless Service Providers (WSPs) must ensure at a minimum that WPA is provided on their networks (excluding pre-LTE networks or mobile satellite services).
Commission staff requests that Videotron respond to the following request for information, and provide any other comments concerning the matters addressed in this letter:
- Has Videotron implemented WPA on its 5G network? If so, provide details on such implementation, e.g.: when this was implemented and where.
- Has Videotron received complaints from customers who state they are unable to receive alerts over 5G networks?
- What action(s) did Videotron take to address the complaints identified in question 2?
- If Videotron has not implemented WPA on its 5G network, what are the plans for its implementation on the 5G network? Please explain your anticipated steps and timeline (e.g. an estimated date for its implementation).
The National Public Alerting System (NPAS) enables emergency management organizations across Canada to warn the public about imminent or possible dangers to life and property such as floods, tornados, hazardous materials, fires, and other disasters. Therefore, staff considers that the full participation of WSPs is important for ensuring that the NPAS is effective in safeguarding and warning Canadians in emergency situations. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the effectiveness of the NPAS.
This letter and any subsequent submissions will be placed on the CRTC’s website. Please repeat the question before responding. As set out in section 39 of the Telecommunications Act and in Procedures for filing confidential information and requesting its disclosure in Commission proceedings, Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-961, 23 December 2010, parties may designate certain information as confidential though must provide a detailed explanation on why the designated information is confidential and why its disclosure would not be in the public interest, including why the specific direct harm that would be likely to result from the disclosure would outweigh the public interest in disclosure. Furthermore, should parties designate information as confidential, they must either file an abridged version of the document omitting only the information designated as confidential or provide reasons why an abridged version cannot be filed.
The Commission requires all confidential documents to be submitted electronically by using the secured service “My CRTC Account” (Partner Log In or GCKey) and filing the “Telecom Cover Page” located on that web page.
Please submit your response no later than 26 April 2024 by 5:00 p.m., Vancouver time. If you have any questions or require additional time, please contact Zohaib Ali at (343) 543-9642 or via email at muhammad.zohaibali@crtc.gc.ca
Sincerely,
Michael Crupi
Manager, Network Technology
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission
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