Bell presses pause on NG911 onboarding

BCE Inc. is implementing a temporary embargo for next-generation 911 (NG911) onboarding and go-live activities for all originating network providers. A Bell technical network specialist notified approximately 35 telecom companies and organizations of the embargo early Friday morning. Bell told originating network providers (ONPs) that it would notify them when the planned resumption of activities is known. Bell did not comment on the embargo but told the Wire Report that it is on target to meet the original deadlines for NG911 and some carriers are already fully onboarded and transmitting live 911 calls over the network. Last month, a Bell software upgrade caused unexpected call processing failures to 911 for several houses In Nova Scotia. The update was in preparation for 10-digit dialing for New Brunswick. Ten-digital dialing is needed in order to implement NG911. There are several open files before the CRTC regarding its NG911 rollout. Telus Corp. filed a Part 1 application in April requesting that small incumbent local exchange carriers (SILECs) be classified as ONPs instead of service providers for NG 911. The incumbent argued that its proposal would “drastically reduce” NG911 costs “and is the best way to address the affordability concerns” raised by the CRTC. The Independent Telecommunications Providers Association (ITPA) argued to the commission that SILECs are four years into negotiations and the network provisioning activities associated with implementing the CRTC orders, therefore, analyzing the decision now “clearly harms” the public interest. Quebecor Inc. and Bell are also in a dispute over NG911 costing. In a Part 1 application filed on Nov. 21, Bell says that the Quebec telecom is refusing to cough up money for enhanced 911 (E911) and next generation 911 services, even though the CRTC has mandated such fees until March 2025. Videotron objects to paying for both services at the same time. Quebecor in turn filed a Part 1 in December. The company said that Bell’s fee model is completely outdated and “does not prevent it from pocketing tens of millions of dollars per year.”

Bell presses pause on NG911 onboarding

Brief | February 24, 2023

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Bell presses pause on NG911 onboarding

Brief | February 24, 2023

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