CRTC Requires Telecoms to Report Major Service Outages

Canada's telecommunications regulator, the CRTC, is implementing stricter rules to enhance internet and cellphone service reliability following major outages that disrupted emergency services. Starting November 4, service providers must notify the CRTC and relevant authorities within two hours of a major outage and submit detailed reports within 30 days after service restoration. These measures aim to increase transparency, improve network resiliency, and reduce future disruptions, with the CRTC launching public consultations on network reliability and consumer protections such as timely updates and compensation during outages. The reforms respond to significant past outages, including a prolonged Rogers network failure in 2022, highlighting the critical impact of service disruptions on Canadians' safety and daily lives. The CRTC encourages public participation in the consultations to help shape future policies that better protect consumers and support providers in outage management. Overall, the commission emphasizes that reliable telecommunications are vital, especially for accessing emergency services, and these steps seek to minimize the harm caused by service interruptions.