Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to the Distribution list
Gatineau, 8 June 2026
Reference: 8000-C12-202306414
BY EMAIL
Distribution list
Subject: Authoritative sources for assignment and routing and rating data
Today, Canadians rely on their telephone numbers not only to place calls and send messages, but also to authenticate their identities and contact information when registering for and accessing sensitive online accounts. This process, commonly referred to as multi-factor authentication, constitutes an important layer of cybersecurity and consumer protection.
In light of the above, Commission staff encourages all entities that rely on telephone number data for identity authentication purposes to ensure that their systems are supported by accurate, complete, and up-to-date information obtained from authoritative data sources. The use of such data will help reduce errors, improve service reliability, and support Canadians’ secure access to essential digital services.
Within this context, and in response to the Canadian Steering Committee on Numbering’s letter on this matter, Commission staff reminds the Canadian industry and the broader public of the authoritative sources for numbering assignment data:
- The authoritative source for Canadian Central Office (CO) codes and Thousands Block assignment data is the Canadian Numbering Administrator. The up-to-date status data may be found at https://cnac.ca/co_codes/co_code_status.htm and https://cnac.ca/co_codes/co_block_status.htm.
- The authoritative source for U.S. assignments is the NANP Administrator (NANPA). Their up-to-date status may be found at https://www.nanpa.com/reports/co-code-reports/cocodes_assign and https://www.nanpa.com/reports/thousands-block-reports.
Commission staff also reminds the Canadian industry and the broader public that the authoritative source for routing and rating information is the Business Integrated Routing and Rating Database System (BIRRDS) and its output products, such as the TNS LERG™ Routing Guide. Accordingly, all parties are expected to rely on these sources to ensure the accuracy and integrity of their systems and processes.
If you have any questions, please contact Étienne Robelin, Manager, Numbering Resource Administration, Telecommunications Sector, at etienne.robelin@crtc.gc.ca or 819-712-0199.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Noah Moser
Director General, Costing & Regulatory Implementation
Telecommunications Sector
CC: Suneil Kanjeekal, Director, Telecommunications, CRTC, Suneil.Kanjeekal@crtc.gc.ca
Étienne Robelin, Manager, Telecommunications, CRTC, Etienne.Robelin@crtc.gc.ca
Kelly T. Walsh, Chair, Canadian Steering Committee on Numbering, chair-cscn@cnac.ca
Richard Polishak, Chair, Network Working Group, Richard.Polishak@telus.com
Diane Dolan, Co-Chair, Business Process Working Group, ddolan@teksavvy.ca
Derek Pearson, Co-Chair, Business Process Working Group, derek.pearson@rci.rogers.com
Distribution List
Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
Small Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers
Competitive Local Exchange Carriers
Wireless Carriers
- Date modified: