By David Farnes
GATINEAU – The CRTC Emergency Services Working Group has notified the CRTC the mandated Next Generation 9-1-1 implementation dates are in jeopardy due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The availability of IP Voice service by 9-1-1 service providers (Bell, SaskTel and Telus) is to be made available to 9-1-1 call centres by June 30, 2020. Real-time text functionality is to be made available by December 31, 2020.
The current 9-1-1 service technology is mandated to be decommissioned on June 30, 2023, but all of these dates are in jeopardy as the world scrambles to adapt to the crisis and deadlines for almost anything are being pushed back.
The matter is now in the hands of the Commission to determine the next course of action.
