CRTC takes action to ensure sufficient phone numbers

In response to growing concerns over the exhaustion of telephone numbers in Canada, the CRTC has introduced interim measures aimed at preventing the premature depletion of numbering resources. This move follows a recent call for comments regarding the implementation of thousand-block pooling (TBP) in the country. Various telecom stakeholders expressed apprehension about the current allocation of Central Office (CO) codes to carriers. They raised concerns that some Canadian carriers might be reserving excessive codes in anticipation of a TBP deployment deadline. “The seriousness of the situation, as described in and in parties’ submissions, calls for a more cautious approach to the assignment of geographic CO codes until a permanent solution to number exhaust is implemented,” the CRTC wrote in its letter issued Monday. In response, the CRTC issued a directive effective immediately, requiring the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) to restrict the assignment of geographic CO codes. Under this interim measure, the CNA, the organization responsible for assigning phone numbers, will limit the assignment of geographic CO codes to the July 2023 round of Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast (NRUF) on a yearly basis, per carrier, and per Numbering Plan Area (NPA) complex. Essentially the CRTC is limiting the number of phone numbers given to each company per year. If a company wants more numbers than they are allowed, they will have to explain why they need them and get special permission from the CRTC. Carriers that have forecasted more than 20 codes for a given year and NPA complex will be subject to a limit of 80 per cent of their forecasts. Carriers seeking CO codes beyond these established levels will have to apply to both the CNA and the commission, justifying the need for additional resources. The commission will assess such requests based on several factors, including the intended use of the codes, the possibility of using numbering resources other than North American Numbering Plan geographic resources, and the impact on number exhaustion in specific regions or Canada-wide. The CRTC is also urging the CNA to enhance its scrutiny of CO code requests and escalate any unusually large requests that could accelerate number exhaustion. The CNA is reminded to ensure that carriers only receive CO codes that they genuinely need, aligning with the Central Office Code Assignment Guideline. The CRTC said it will continue to work on a permanent solution to address the issue of number exhaustion in the long term.

CRTC takes action to ensure sufficient phone numbers

News | November 1, 2023

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CRTC takes action to ensure sufficient phone numbers

News | November 1, 2023

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