CRTC adopts interim basic 911 features for remote regions, pushes NG911 deadlines

The CRTC is delaying transition of next-generation 911 (NG911) services in certain regions, having found that telecoms in areas with basic emergency services (B911) cannot feasibly implement NG911 in the same manner or time frame as areas with enhanced services (E911). “There is a broad consensus … that B911 should be maintained until it is technologically feasible to upgrade to NG911 in a way that is beneficial to local 911 service,” the CRTC wrote in a Wednesday decision. According to the commission, the Emergency Services Working Group (ESWG), BCE Inc.’s Northwestel, and CityWest Cable and Telephone Corp. all found that a dual approach was needed for NG911 rollout due to the specific circumstances B911 areas find themselves in. “The lack of civic addressing in the vast and sparsely populated areas with B911 service was identified as the key challenge for their transition to NG911. The technological solution to that issue is currently expected to be available in May 2027.” The ESWG suggested the adoption of three interim 911 features to enhance B911 service, such as facilitating text message communication between 911 call centers and individuals who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-impaired. In 2017 the CRTC mandated the uniform implementation of NG911 networks and services. In April 2020, the CRTC pushed back a series of deadlines around the decommissioning of legacy 911 network components due to the COVID-19 pandemic and opted for a deadline of March 4, 2025. According to ESWG’s report submitted in Dec. 2022, the three interim features, collectively known as B911+, include text with 911 (T911) which enables communication between Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) and individuals in emergency situations who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-impaired. Facilitating T911 is Impresario911, a Bell Canada application that provides real-time querying of a caller's telephone number, verifying T911 registration and language preferences, and offering information on the originating network provider. The third feature involves access to the Registry of Canadian Public Safety Answering Points (RoCP), aiding in efficient PSAP-to-PSAP call transfers by providing contact information for primary PSAPs in order to streamline emergency response coordination. In response to the report, the CRTC set specific deadlines for the implementation of the B911+ features. B911 service providers are directed to communicate the availability of the enhanced features to governing authorities and commence implementation by April 13. Authorities wishing to avail themselves of these features must notify service providers by May 13. Specifications for the features are to be made available to governing authorities and PSAPs by July 13. The implementation process should commence by Oct. 13, upon confirmation from governing authorities. Additionally, a follow-up report assessing the impact of E911 decommissioning on B911+ feature availability is expected by Sept. 30, while the completion of the geodetic routing proof of concept trial is slated for Dec. 31, 2025. Geodetic routing is a method that utilizes geographic coordinates to determine the most efficient path for routing emergency calls to the appropriate PSAPs. An ESWG follow-up report, detailing milestones for the transition from B911 to NG911, is due by June 30, 2026. The commission decided to suspend deadlines for the implementation of NG911 service within Northwestel’s and CityWest's incumbent operating territories until it publishes a decision regarding the ESWG follow-up report. It simultaneously denied CityWest's request to be relieved of its NG911 obligations. The CRTC directed both companies to submit progress reports on the transition to NG911 in their respective territories by Sept. 30, 2024, to ensure that NG911 implementation remains a priority. – Reporting by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca

CRTC adopts interim basic 911 features for remote regions, pushes NG911 deadlines

News | March 14, 2024

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CRTC adopts interim basic 911 features for remote regions, pushes NG911 deadlines

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