OTTAWA – The CRTC has kicked off a show cause proceeding to examine whether its existing 9-1-1 obligations should apply directly to non-carriers that provide local exchange, wireless voice, local voice over Internet Protocol, or payphone services.
While the Commission can impose conditions on the offering and provision of telecommunications services by Canadian carriers, it does not have the authority to directly impose these conditions on non-carriers (also known as resellers), and defined as providers other than Canadian carriers. Instead, where it was considered necessary, the Commission has directed the underlying carriers that provide services to non-carriers to ensure through contractual arrangements that the non-carriers were subject to these conditions.
Canadian telecommunications service providers are mandated by the CRTC to provide their customers with 9-1-1 service wherever provincial/territorial and municipal governments have established specialized 9-1-1 call centres known as public safety answering points (PSAPs). As a result, an estimated 96% of the country’s population currently has access to either Basic 9-1-1 or Enhanced 9-1-1 service through wireline, wireless, and VoIP telephone services.
Interventions are due by September 21, 2015.
