Letter

Ottawa, 16 June 2005

File #: 8663-C12-200402892

Via Email

To: CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee
     -Accessibility Issues Working Group
     -Network Working Group        

Re:   VoIP MRS Report - Request for Extension

In paragraph 292 of Telecom Decision CRTC 2005-28 - Regulatory framework for voice communication services using Internet Protocol , 12 May 2005, the Commission requested the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee ("CISC") to provide a report to the Commission within three months of the date of the decision (the "Report").   The Report was to address the circumstances under which Message Relay Service ("MRS") can currently be provided over VoIP, any problems which prevent MRS from being provided over VoIP, possible solutions for the provision of MRS functionality over VoIP where it is not currently technically feasible, and the time required for existing VoIP service providers to implement those solutions.

On 19 May 2005 , CISC agreed to form the Accessibility Issue Ad-hoc Working Group ("AIWG") to tackle issues related to persons with disabilities and VoIP technology.   CISC also agreed that VoIP MRS technical issues would be addressed by the Network Working Group ("NTWG").

In a letter dated 14 June 2005 to the Commission, the Chairs of the NTWG and the AIWG expressed their concerns on the difficulty of meeting the three month time line to produce the Report.   Their concerns were based on the current workload in NTWG, the fact that NTWG members also serve on other working groups and that MRS and accessibility issues are closely related. 

As a result of these considerations, the AIWG and the NTWG made a joint request for a 3 month extension to provide the Report, noting that granting the extension would allow delivery of the Report at the same time as the AIWG provides its report on accessibility issues.

Having considered the arguments presented by NTWG and the AIWG, Commission staff grants the NWTG and the AIWG a 3 month extension to 12 November 2005 to file the Report. 

Yours truly,   

Paul Godin
Director,
Competition Implementation and Technology
Telecommunications  

cc. James Ndirangu