Telecom Decision CRTC 2021-372

Reference: 2018-409

Ottawa, 10 November 2021

Relief for area code complex 343/613 in eastern Ontario

The Commission determines that relief for area code complex 343/613 in eastern Ontario is to be provided by implementing a distributed overlay of new area code 753, effective 26 March 2022. In addition, the Commission approves the 343/613 relief planning committee’s report, including the proposed planning document and relief implementation plan.

Introduction

On 1 March 2018, the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA)^{Footnote 1} advised the Commission that based on the results of the latest relief numbering resource utilization forecast (R-NRUF),^{Footnote 2} area code complex 343/613^{Footnote 3} was projected to exhaust by February 2024.^{Footnote 4} This area code complex covers eastern Ontario.
The Commission subsequently issued Telecom Notice of Consultation 2018-409, in which it established a CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC)^{Footnote 5} ad hoc relief planning committee to examine options and make recommendations for providing additional numbering resources in the area served by area code complex 343/613 (the 343/613 relief planning committee).
The January 2021 R-NRUF results, released on 23 February 2021, indicated that the projected exhaust date for area code complex 343/613 had advanced to October 2022. On the same day, the CNA notified the 343/613 relief planning committee and the Canadian Steering Committee on Numbering that area code complex 343/613 was in a jeopardy condition.^{Footnote 6}

Report

On 12 May 2021, CISC approved and forwarded to the Commission for its approval the 343/613 relief planning committee’s consensus report (343-613RE01A). The report included a planning document and a relief implementation plan. These documents are available on the CNA’s website.
In the planning document, the 343/613 relief planning committee recommended that
- the relief method be a distributed overlay area code on area code complex 343/613;
- the new area code be 753, per Telecom Decision 2017-38; and
- the relief implementation date be 26 March 2022.
In the relief implementation plan, the 343/613 relief planning committee proposed a public framework and time frame for implementing relief for the area served by area code complex 343/613.
In light of the declared jeopardy condition, the 343/613 relief planning committee mentioned in its consensus report that an accelerated implementation should be executed with a shortened time frame. The committee took this requirement into account in its consensus report, planning document, and relief implementation plan.
The 343/613 relief planning committee also addressed the activities, deliverables, and issues affecting more than one telecommunications service provider (TSP). It did not address activities internal to a TSP.

Should the Commission approve the report?

Relief method

As set out in section 5.1 of the Canadian NPA [Numbering Plan Area] Relief Planning Guideline, the only relief measure now considered in Canada is a distributed overlay area code. This method does not require customers to change their telephone numbers, as other previous methods required.^{Footnote 7} A distributed overlay area code does not increase the number of separate areas for which future relief planning must be considered and thereby does not increase the administrative burden on the telecommunications industry.
A requirement for overlay area codes is 10-digit local dialing in order to differentiate between the same central office codes in different area codes serving the same geographical area. However, in this case, 10-digit local dialing is already in place for the area served by area code complex 343/613.
Given that there is already one distributed overlay area code in place over the original 613 area code, the only logical method for providing further area code relief is the addition of another distributed overlay area code.
Accordingly, the Commission determines that the area served by area code complex 343/613 is to be overlaid with a new area code.

Relief area code

In Telecom Decision 2017-38, the Commission set aside area code 753 as the future relief area code for area code complex 343/613. The Commission therefore determines that area code 753 is to be used for the relief of area code complex 343/613.

Implementation date

The 343/613 relief planning committee recommended that the new relief area code be activated by 26 March 2022, which is six months before the current projected exhaust date of October 2022. Given that 10-digit local dialing is already in place, implementation will only require the addition of the new area code to the systems and databases already in place for area code complex 343/613.
The relief implementation lead time of six months prior to the projected exhaust date is reflective of recent changes to the Canadian NPA Relief Planning Guideline approved by the Commission in Telecom Decision 2021-217. One of those changes is to reduce the relief implementation lead time from 12-18 months prior to the projected exhaust date to 6 months.
In proposing this implementation time frame, the 343/613 relief planning committee also took into consideration the current jeopardy condition of area code complex 343/613. The overall shortened implementation time frame is therefore warranted under these circumstances.
Accordingly, the Commission determines that relief will take effect on 26 March 2022.

Planning document and relief implementation plan

The planning document contains the 343/613 relief planning committee’s conclusions and recommendations, which include, among other things, a jeopardy contingency plan,^{Footnote 8} the proposed relief area code, and a proposed implementation schedule.
The relief implementation plan is intended to establish the framework and time frame for implementing the new distributed 753 overlay area code. It includes a summary of the key points in the planning document, such as the relief method, the relief area code, and the implementation date for the new distributed overlay area code. The relief implementation plan also includes a detailed step-by-step relief implementation schedule.
In the relief implementation plan, the 343/613 relief planning committee also established the Consumer Awareness Task Force and the Network Implementation Task Force. The required activities of these two groups are contained in the consumer awareness program and the network implementation plan, which are attachments to the relief implementation plan.

Conclusion

In light of all the above, the Commission approves the 343/613 relief planning committee’s report, including the proposed planning document and relief implementation plan – which includes the relief implementation schedule, consumer awareness program, and the network implementation plan – and determines that
- the area served by area code complex 343/613 is to be overlaid with a new area code, effective 26 March 2022; and
- area code 753 is to be used for area code relief.

Policy Directions

In accordance with subparagraph 1(b)(i) of the 2006 Policy Direction,^{Footnote 9} the Commission considers that approval of the consensus report will advance the policy objective set out in paragraph 7(f) of the Telecommunications Act.^{Footnote 10}
In accordance with the 2019 Policy Direction,^{Footnote 11} the Commission considers that this decision can promote competition, affordability, and consumer interests by ensuring an adequate supply of telephone numbers to carriers and other TSPs so that they can continue to compete and provide existing and new innovative telecommunications services to Canadian consumers.

Secretary General

Footnotes

Footnote 1

The CNA follows regulatory directives and industry-developed guidelines in making assignment decisions. As necessary, it participates in and contributes to the technical requirements associated with the planning, administration, allocation, assignment, and use of North American Numbering Plan numbering resources. The CNA is not a policy-making entity.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

An R-NRUF is conducted every six months by the CNA for every area code or area code complex that is undergoing relief planning activities.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Due to an ever-increasing demand for telephone numbers in some areas, more than one area code is required for the same geographical area. These multiple area codes serving the same geographical area are referred to as area code complexes.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

The CNA began its yearly NRUF activities for Canadian area codes on 15 December 2017 in accordance with the Commission-approved Canadian Numbering Resource Utilization Forecast (C-NRUF) Guideline.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 5

CISC is an organization established by the Commission to assist in developing information, procedures, and guidelines as may be required in various aspects of the Commission’s regulatory activities within its jurisdiction.

Return to footnote 5 referrer

Footnote 6

The criteria for declaring a jeopardy condition are set out in section 9.1 of the Canadian NPA [Numbering Plan Area] Relief Planning Guideline.

Return to footnote 6 referrer

Footnote 7

Previous methods included area code splits, area code boundary realignments, and concentrated overlay area codes.

Return to footnote 7 referrer

Footnote 8

A jeopardy contingency plan is a contingency plan that would be implemented in the event that the forecasted or actual demand for central office codes exceeds the quantity of central office codes available for assignment before relief (i.e. a new area code) can be implemented.

Return to footnote 8 referrer

Footnote 9

Order Issuing a Direction to the CRTC on Implementing the Canadian Telecommunications Policy Objectives, SOR/2006-355, 14 December 2006

Return to footnote 9 referrer

Footnote 10

The cited policy objective of the Act is 7(f) to foster increased reliance on market forces for the provision of telecommunications services and to ensure that regulation, where required, is efficient and effective.

Return to footnote 10 referrer

Footnote 11

Order Issuing a Direction to the CRTC on Implementing the Canadian Telecommunications Policy Objectives to Promote Competition, Affordability, Consumer Interests and Innovation, SOR/2019-227, 17 June 2019

Return to footnote 11 referrer

Date modified:: 2021-11-10