Summary

Facts

Globalive Wireless Management Corp. (Globalive) requested that the CRTC direct TELUS Communications Company (TCC) to permit the transiting of Globalive's common channel signalling 7 (CCS7) traffic for the purposes of accessing TCC's Wireless Service Provider Enhanced Provincial 9-1-1 Network Access Service (WSP E9-1-1 service).
There were three main issues to consider:
1. Is the application still relevant in light of developments in the negotiations between Globalive and TCC?
2. Does TCC's tariff allow CCS7 via transiting arrangements?
3. Who should bear the costs of any CCS7 transiting arrangement?

Decision

1. Although Globalive had obtained direct CCS7 interconnection with TCC at the time of the hearing and decision, the CRTC considered that it would be beneficial to issue a ruling on arrangements for CCS7 transiting between carriers.
2.TCC's tariff does allow wireless service providers (WSPs) to provide CCS7 via third-party carriers.
3. The use of CCS7 transiting carriers by WSPs should not result in any additional costs for TCC. However, if TCC finds in the future that any such transiting arrangements result in higher internal costs, it may file a tariff notice and supporting cost studies with the CRTC for consideration.

Reasoning

1. A determination on this issue was considered to be helpful to Globalive and/or other carriers as they make or modify their interconnection arrangements with TCC.
2. Given that CCS7 transiting arrangements are permitted by other incumbent local exchange carriers, there are no network impediments that would justify disallowing wireless service providers (WSPs) like Globalive to use these arrangements to deliver signalling traffic to TCC's network. TCC's tariff wording does not clearly prohibit WSPs from providing CCS7 via third parties and, in fact, actually contemplates that WSPs could do so.
3. Notwithstanding TCC's concerns about additional costs, the CRTC considered that the use of CCS7 transiting carriers by WSPs should not impose additional costs on TCC.