Canada Updates E911 Regulations

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has updated its existing emergency service, 9-1-1 regulations for mobile phone carriers. In this decision, the CRTC directs wireless service providers to provide wireless Enhanced 911 (E911) service wherever E911 network access services are available. Previously, unless it accepted the status and all of the obligations of a competitive local exchange carrier, a wireless carrier had no regulatory obligation to transmit emergency calls.

The CRTC has also ordered all wireless carriers to inform their new subscribers about the emergency services they offer, and to periodically inform existing customers of these services. This is expected to improve awareness among subscribers about the wireless emergency service features of their mobile telephones. Wireless carriers are required to file plans with the CRTC in the next 90 days on how and when they will notify their subscribers.

In addition, in today's decision, the CRTC requires every wireless carrier to provide toll-free telephone access to at least one of their operations centres 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in order to assist 9-1-1 operators seeking subscriber information in emergency situations.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada."

Posted to the site on 13th August 2003