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09-14-2005, 07:49 AM
Canada's Wireless Industry Announces Number Portability Implementation Plan
Testing to begin in mid-2007; nationwide availability set for September
2007
OTTAWA, Sept. 12 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications announced that the
following was released by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association
(CWTA).
Further to its commissioning of an independent report on the
implementation of wireless number portability (WNP) in June of this year, the
Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) today announced that
the plan has been reviewed by industry stakeholders and has been provided to
government officials.
The comprehensive 64-page report, completed by the global firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) earlier this month, examined the hundreds of
technical, inter-carrier and regulatory tasks and issues that need to be
addressed in order for telecommunications companies to offer number
portability. After a full review of the report by the CWTA's WNP Task Force,
the group has identified mid-2007 as the timeframe for a pilot trial to begin
testing WNP in a limited area. WNP, which will enable customers to transfer
phone numbers between wireless service providers and also between landline and
wireless service, is set to be available on a national basis in September
2007.
Unlike the "phased-in" approach adopted by some other jurisdictions where
WNP was introduced in different geographic areas over an extended period of
time, WNP in Canada will become available to the vast majority of consumers
and enterprise customers from coast to coast at the same time. The WNP Task
Force believes this is a significant implementation strategy that will offer
an equitable, smooth and reliable introduction of the new service for all
Canadians.
The target implementation date that has been identified by the wireless
industry is contingent upon the timely resolution of a number of outstanding
issues, and the full cooperation of Canada's telecommunications sector.
However, the WNP Task Force will begin the implementation process immediately
and will provide progress updates as warranted.
"Canada will be only the third country in the world to offer complete
wireless-to-wireless, wireless-to-wireline and wireline-to-wireless
portability," said Peter Barnes, CWTA President & CEO. "The implementation
timeline we are announcing today is aggressive given the complexities of
introducing WNP, but Canada's wireless industry is confident in its ability to
deliver this new service to Canadians."
The "Conclusion" portion of PwC's report follows this release. The full
report is available at
http://www.cwta.ca/CWTASite/english...Plan_Report.pdf.
Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA)
CWTA is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in
Canada. It represents cellular, PCS, messaging, mobile radio, fixed wireless
and mobile satellite carriers as well as companies that develop and produce
products and services for the industry.
This news release contains forward-looking statements which represent
CWTA's best judgement as to what may occur in the future. However, actual
outcome and results are not guaranteed and are subject to certain risks,
uncertainties and assumptions, and may differ from what is expressed.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CONCLUSION
A Measured and Well-Structured Plan Can Help Canada Set New Global
Standard for Implementing Wireless Number Portability
PricewaterhouseCoopers, September 2005
In addition to the technical complexity, the biggest obstacle to a
successful WNP implementation is the challenge of balancing a kaleidoscope of
overlapping and competing interests across the national pool of stakeholders.
Stakeholder support is critical to plan development and implementation, which
must be recognized as effective, efficient and fair.
As outlined in this report, we believe that the earliest and most
expedient national common launch date for WNP is Wednesday, September 12,
2007. The capability would be launched in exchanges where LNP exists at the
time and cover simple and complex ports and resellers. It will be built upon
the infrastructure and processes used for LNP today, but modified to
accommodate the needs of wireless customers, both consumer and business. All
stakeholders who have had input to this plan have committed to keeping the
customer experience as a focal point for decision making. WNP would be rolled
out to those non-LNP exchanges in conjunction with a CRTC-approved process for
opening new wireline areas.
What gives us a high level of confidence in the integrity of these
recommendations is more than just the breadth and depth of our inquiry process
in conducting interviews with key industry stakeholders; consulting with the
internal and external specialists and professionals that comprise the PwC
telecommunications practice; reviewing independent research on WNP from around
the world; and evaluating a full complement of strategic, tactical and
technical alternatives for introducing WNP in Canada.
What also gives us the ability to stand behind each of these
recommendations with confidence is that our arriving at these conclusions in
an independent and objective manner disciplined by the crucial set of
strategic planning principles. At each step of the process, we went to great
lengths to apply these planning principles rigorously and methodically to our
analyses of all alternatives and options.
Finally, we believe that if these recommendations are used to support a
consensus-based, customer-friendly WNP implementation, Canada will have
established itself in a position to define a new world-class standard in WNP
implementation not perhaps, as a stated goal in and of itself, but as a
natural outcome of a well-conceived, stakeholder-supported and industry-led
initiative.
Testing to begin in mid-2007; nationwide availability set for September
2007
OTTAWA, Sept. 12 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications announced that the
following was released by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association
(CWTA).
Further to its commissioning of an independent report on the
implementation of wireless number portability (WNP) in June of this year, the
Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) today announced that
the plan has been reviewed by industry stakeholders and has been provided to
government officials.
The comprehensive 64-page report, completed by the global firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) earlier this month, examined the hundreds of
technical, inter-carrier and regulatory tasks and issues that need to be
addressed in order for telecommunications companies to offer number
portability. After a full review of the report by the CWTA's WNP Task Force,
the group has identified mid-2007 as the timeframe for a pilot trial to begin
testing WNP in a limited area. WNP, which will enable customers to transfer
phone numbers between wireless service providers and also between landline and
wireless service, is set to be available on a national basis in September
2007.
Unlike the "phased-in" approach adopted by some other jurisdictions where
WNP was introduced in different geographic areas over an extended period of
time, WNP in Canada will become available to the vast majority of consumers
and enterprise customers from coast to coast at the same time. The WNP Task
Force believes this is a significant implementation strategy that will offer
an equitable, smooth and reliable introduction of the new service for all
Canadians.
The target implementation date that has been identified by the wireless
industry is contingent upon the timely resolution of a number of outstanding
issues, and the full cooperation of Canada's telecommunications sector.
However, the WNP Task Force will begin the implementation process immediately
and will provide progress updates as warranted.
"Canada will be only the third country in the world to offer complete
wireless-to-wireless, wireless-to-wireline and wireline-to-wireless
portability," said Peter Barnes, CWTA President & CEO. "The implementation
timeline we are announcing today is aggressive given the complexities of
introducing WNP, but Canada's wireless industry is confident in its ability to
deliver this new service to Canadians."
The "Conclusion" portion of PwC's report follows this release. The full
report is available at
http://www.cwta.ca/CWTASite/english...Plan_Report.pdf.
Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA)
CWTA is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in
Canada. It represents cellular, PCS, messaging, mobile radio, fixed wireless
and mobile satellite carriers as well as companies that develop and produce
products and services for the industry.
This news release contains forward-looking statements which represent
CWTA's best judgement as to what may occur in the future. However, actual
outcome and results are not guaranteed and are subject to certain risks,
uncertainties and assumptions, and may differ from what is expressed.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CONCLUSION
A Measured and Well-Structured Plan Can Help Canada Set New Global
Standard for Implementing Wireless Number Portability
PricewaterhouseCoopers, September 2005
In addition to the technical complexity, the biggest obstacle to a
successful WNP implementation is the challenge of balancing a kaleidoscope of
overlapping and competing interests across the national pool of stakeholders.
Stakeholder support is critical to plan development and implementation, which
must be recognized as effective, efficient and fair.
As outlined in this report, we believe that the earliest and most
expedient national common launch date for WNP is Wednesday, September 12,
2007. The capability would be launched in exchanges where LNP exists at the
time and cover simple and complex ports and resellers. It will be built upon
the infrastructure and processes used for LNP today, but modified to
accommodate the needs of wireless customers, both consumer and business. All
stakeholders who have had input to this plan have committed to keeping the
customer experience as a focal point for decision making. WNP would be rolled
out to those non-LNP exchanges in conjunction with a CRTC-approved process for
opening new wireline areas.
What gives us a high level of confidence in the integrity of these
recommendations is more than just the breadth and depth of our inquiry process
in conducting interviews with key industry stakeholders; consulting with the
internal and external specialists and professionals that comprise the PwC
telecommunications practice; reviewing independent research on WNP from around
the world; and evaluating a full complement of strategic, tactical and
technical alternatives for introducing WNP in Canada.
What also gives us the ability to stand behind each of these
recommendations with confidence is that our arriving at these conclusions in
an independent and objective manner disciplined by the crucial set of
strategic planning principles. At each step of the process, we went to great
lengths to apply these planning principles rigorously and methodically to our
analyses of all alternatives and options.
Finally, we believe that if these recommendations are used to support a
consensus-based, customer-friendly WNP implementation, Canada will have
established itself in a position to define a new world-class standard in WNP
implementation not perhaps, as a stated goal in and of itself, but as a
natural outcome of a well-conceived, stakeholder-supported and industry-led
initiative.
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