Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
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News release
April 7th, 2004
CRTC initiates proceeding on VoIP Services;
issues preliminary view
OTTAWA-GATINEAU - In a public notice issued today, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has provided its preliminary views on the regulatory framework applicable to the voice communications services using Internet Protocol that are referred to below, and has initiated a proceeding to examine the regulatory requirements for the provision of these services. In Telecom Public Notice CRTC 2004-2, Regulatory framework for voice communication services using Internet Protocol, the Commission invites interested parties to comment on the Commission's preliminary views and on any other pertinent matters, as well as to participate in a public consultation.
Voice communications services using IP, or Internet Protocol, now allow subscribers to make voice calls over a broadband connection, for example with a conventional phone-set attached to an adaptor or an IP telephone. In light of the availability of voice communication services using IP and calls from carriers for the clarification of the regulatory rules, the Commission considers that there is a need to set out its views on the regulatory regime applicable to the provision of those services.
In the Commission's preliminary view, voice communications services using IP that provide universal access to and/ or from the Public Switched Telephone Network and utilize telephone numbers that conform to the North American Numbering Plan (referred to in the PN as VoIP services) have characteristics that are functionally the same as circuit-switched voice telecommunications services. Consistent with its principle of technological neutrality, it is the Commission's preliminary view that its existing regulatory framework should apply to VoIP services, including its determinations related to forbearance.
The Commission also considers on a preliminary basis, that to the extent that VoIP services provide subscribers with access to and/or from the Public Switched Telephone Network, along with the ability to make and/or receive calls that originate and terminate within the geographic boundaries of a local calling area as defined in the incumbent local exchange carriers' (ILECs) tariffs, they should be treated for regulatory purposes as local exchange services, and be subject to the regulatory framework governing local competition, established in Local Competition, Telecom Decision CRTC 97-8, 1 May 1997 and subsequent determinations.
In this public notice, the Commission also expresses preliminary views on the following three matters:
(i) the applicability of existing tariffs, and requirements to file tariffs;
(ii) the provision of 9-1-1 and enhanced 9-1-1 service, message relay service and privacy safeguards; and
(iii) the applicability of the national contribution collection mechanism as introduced in Changes to the contribution regime, Decision CRTC 2000-745, 30 November 2000.
Call for comments and Public Forum
The Commission invites written comments on its preliminary views provided in today's public notice, as well as on any other matters that may be pertinent to the regulatory framework for VoIP services.
Those who wish merely to file written comments in this proceeding may do so by submitting their comments in writing to the Commission by April 28, 2004.
Parties who wish to participate more fully in the proceeding must notify the Commission by April 16, 2004. They may
- file comments, copying all other parties, by April 28, 2004,
- take part in the public consultation to be held May 19-20, 2004 in Gatineau, Quebec, and
- file reply comments, copying all other parties, by May 28, 2004.
Please read today's public notice for more information on how to participate in this proceeding.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.
Reference document: Telecom Public Notice CRTC 2004-2
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MediaRelations@crtc.gc.ca,
Tel: (819) 997-9403, Fax: (819) 997-4245
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Tel: (819) 997-0313, TDD: (819) 994-0423, Fax: (819) 994-0218
Toll-free # 1-877-249-CRTC (2782), eMail:
info@crtc.gc.ca
TDD - Toll-free # 1-877-909-2782
Copies of today's documents are available through our Internet site (http://www.crtc.gc.ca) or by contacting the public examination room of any CRTC office. These documents are available in alternative format upon request.
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Date Modified: 2004-04-07
