CRTC Wants your Input on the Future of 911 Services in Canada

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced it wants your input on the future of 911 services in this country, as a formal review will be coming in 2014-2015. National Commissioner Tim Denton has been appointed as an Inquiry Officer to report feedback findings in May of next year.

“Each year, the 911 system is relied upon by thousands of Canadians during emergency situations,” said Mr. Denton. “As telecommunications networks evolve and adopt new technologies, we all have an interest in ensuring that the system continues to meet Canadians’ needs. In particular, I would encourage first responders, call centre operators and governmental bodies to share their ideas on how the 911 system could help them better respond to emergency situations.”

The public consultation launches today and Canadians have until February 1, 2013 to submit their views on the following topics:

• the performance and adequacy of the technology currently employed by 911 services, such as that used to locate a caller using a cellphone
• the issues related to the provision of 911 services on next-generation networks, including how systems should be designed and the appropriate institutional arrangements, and
• policy considerations on 911 matters.

The CRTC last held a public consultation for feedback in establishing a national wireless code of conduct.

What do you think of 911 services so far? What should be improved when it comes to cellular services? You can share your views online by visiting here.