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Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to Imran Khan (Northwestel Inc.)

Ottawa, 9 September 2024

Reference(s): 8000-C12-202306860

BY EMAIL

Imran Khan
CFO & VP Corporate Services
Northwestel Inc.
10th Floor 5201 Franklin Ave #100
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P1
regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca

Subject: Northwestel Inc.'s Response on 4 July 2024 to Visible Test Alert – May 08, 2024 - For the Northwest Territories

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (the “Commission”) is in receipt of a letter from Northwestel Inc (Northwestel) dated July 4th, 2024Footnote1, providing responses to the request for information (RFI) sent on June 14th, 2024Footnote2. This letter is a reply to the response and specifically addresses a request for clarification by Northwestel Inc. of certain details disclosed (or lack thereof) in the titular correspondence.

The Commission’s RFI addressed the issuance of a National Public Alerting System (NPAS) bi-annual test alert on Wednesday, 8 May 2024 at approximately 9:55 am MDT in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The alert was not observed on the television sets in the offices of the Northwest Territories Emergency Management Organization (NWT EMO). Commission staff understands that the NWT EMO is subscribed to the broadcasting distribution undertaking (BDU) services of Northwestel.

Based on the response to the RFI, it is the understanding of the Commission that Northwestel had experienced network connectivity issues related to the Whitehorse master unit and the Yellowknife relay device, which had prevented the distribution of the test alert in select areas all of Yellowknife, NT and Fort Nelson, BC, as well as parts of Whitehorse, YT. However, staff’s review of Northwestel’s response identified some areas where more explanation is necessary including the root cause of the network issue, timelines for fixing the issue, addressing the root cause, and risk of recurrence. These elements should be addressed to ensure continued compliance to NPAS requirements by NorthwestelFootnote3.

Upon review of the answers provided, Commission staff requests that Northwestel respond to the follow up questions outlined below as well as any comments on the facts and situation identified in this letter:

  1. Was Northwestel notified and/or aware of the non-distribution of the alert at or around the time of the test? If so, how did Northwestel become aware of the non-distribution issue?
  2. What was the exact cause or nature of the network issue? Please provide details.
  3. Has Northwestel implemented solutions to fix the issue?
    1. When were these solutions implemented and are all Northwestel customers now able to receive public alerts and visible public alerts tests through their television service?
    2. Did the solution(s) also address the root cause?
    3. How were these solutions tested and validated to ensure they were effective?
    4. If the issue has not yet been resolved, please provide an estimated time frame for which the solution(s) will be implemented

A copy of this letter and all related correspondence will be added to the public file of the licensee. Please repeat the question before responding.

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 “Broadcasting online form and cover page” located on that web page.

Please submit your response no later than Monday 30 September, 2024 by 5:00 p.m., Vancouver time. If you have any questions or require additional time, please contact Mr. Amjad Iqbal at (819) 360-2891 or via email at amjad.iqbal@crtc.gc.ca.

Sincerely,

Michael Crupi
Manager, Network Technology
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission

c.c.: jane.westlund@bell.ca

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