Telecom - Procedural Letter addressed to Imran Khan (Northwestel Inc.)
Ottawa, 5 August 2022
Our reference : 1011-NOC2022-0147
BY EMAIL
Imran Khan
Northwestel Inc.
10th Floor
5201 Franklin Ave #100
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, X1A 2P1
regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca
RE: Telecom Notice of Consultation 2022-147 (TNC 2022-147), Call for comments – Telecommunications in the Far North, Phase II – Request for Information #1 – Extension Request
Imran Khan:
On 29 July 2022, the Commission received a letter from Northwestel Inc. (Northwestel) requesting an extension to the deadline for responses to Request for Information #1 (RFI-1) in relation to the above-noted proceeding. The letter requested that the deadline of 24 August 2022 be extended to 14 September 2022 for all parties that were asked for information in relation to RFI-1.
The letter also noted that Commission staff had originally asked that it be advised of any extension requests regarding RFI-1 by 15 July 2022, but certain unforeseen issues have arisen since those questions were issued that are impacting Northwestel’s ability to prepare responses within the original timeframe.
On 2 August 2022, the Commission received a letter from Iristel Inc. (Iristel) in support of Northwestel’s request for an extension, given the amount of information requested in RFI-1 and the “effects of the summer holidays on the availability of key resources”.
On 3 August 2022, the Commission received a letter from the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) that also expressed support for Northwestel’s request. They noted that this proceeding is demanding on Northwestel’s technical resources which may also be needed in essential activities related to ensuring service continuity in satellite-dependent communities in the Far North.
Northwestel did not provide any details regarding the unforeseen issues that have arisen. However, Commission staff is aware that Northwestel is affected by Telesat’s recent announcement that it is experiencing technical issues with its Anik F2 satellite, which could affect Northwestel and result in service disruptions in the Far North.
While this proceeding raises important issues for Canadians living in the Far North and must progress in a timely manner, under the present circumstances, Commission staff considers that the requested extension is appropriate. Accordingly, the deadline to provide responses to RFI-1 is extended, and all parties that were asked for information in relation to RFI-1 are to file their responses by 14 September 2022. All other deadlines in the proceeding remain the same.
A copy of this letter will be placed on the public record of this proceeding.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Lisanne Legros
Director, Telecommunications Networks Policy
Telecommunications Sector
cc: Nicolas Gatto, CRTC, nicolas.gatto@crtc.gc.ca
Celia Millay, CRTC, celia.millay@crtc.gc.ca
Simon Wozny, CRTC, simon.wozny@crtc.gc.ca
Iva Jurisic, CRTC, iva.jurisic@crtc.gc.ca
Distribution List
Attach. Distribution list
Distribution List
Bell Mobility: bell.regulatory@bell.ca;
Iristel: regulatory@iristel.com;
Ice Wireless: regulatory@iristel.com;
Northern Lights G.P. sales@northernlightsgp.com;
Government of Northwest Territories: don_persaud@gov.nt.ca;
Northwestel: regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca;
New North Networks: tom@newnorth.ca;
SSi Micro: regulatory@ssicanada.com; regulatory@ssimicro.com;
Telus: john.mackenzie@telus.com; regulatory.affairs@telus.com;
Xplornet: carl.macquarrie@corp.xplornet.com; xplornet.legal@corp.xplornet.com;
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