Canada's telecommunications regulator is requiring companies such as Bell (BCE), Rogers (RCI) and Telus (T) to notify it within two hours when they experience a network outage.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) said the notification requirement aims to enhance “the resilience and reliability” of telecommunications networks throughout Canada.
Going forward, service providers must also file a detailed report with the CRTC within 14 days of an outage occurring.
The CRTC’s latest moves come on the heels of a mandate from Industry Canada that requires the agency to implement new rules to bolster affordability and competition across the telecom sector.
The CRTC said in a press release that telephone and internet services go down frequently in Canada due to extreme weather, cyberattacks and internal accidents.
Last July, a major network outage at Rogers Communications left more than 12 million mobile and internet customers without service for 15 hours.
Industry Canada gave Rogers and other major telecoms 60 days to come up with a joint crisis plan in case of future outages.
The companies signed a formal agreement that ensures emergency roaming, mutual assistance, and communications protocols for advising the public and government during any future outages.
The CRTC said it plans to launch consultations later this year on potential measures to enhance network resiliency, access to emergency services, and consumer communication.
