Industry Canada Emergency Telecommunications - Agreements

Draft Letter of Understanding between Industry Canada and the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association

Considering

1. the range of telecommunications services provided by the radiocommunications industry in Canada,

2. the presence and activities of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association in Canadian communities,

3. the fact that, in emergencies, the increasing of existing services and/or the installation of temporary alternate telecommunications services are crucial to the proper functioning of emergency response organizations such as security services, fire departments, hospitals and social services organizations,

4. the fact that the services provided by the radiocommunications industry are essential to the success of emergency response actions, and

5. the fact that the employees of radiocommunications undertakings possess the technical abilities required to properly assist those responsible for developing emergency plans for better use of telecommunications,

6. the fact that the Department of Industry recognizes that the use of radio frequencies to protect lives and property should have priority,

7. that, in accordance with Canada's Emergency Preparedness Act, the Department of Industry must identify the civil emergency contingencies that are within or related to the telecommunications sectors, and develop a civil emergency plan therefore. This agreement has been concluded between the Department of Industry and the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association to encourage members of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association to contribute to preparations for emergencies and to emergency operations in Canada. (Note 1).

Contribution of members of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association:

a. make special efforts and, if necessary, enter into agreements to provide the official emergency planning and response organizations with special procedures and services in emergencies;

b. provide information to be entered in a resource inventory kept up to date by the Department of Industry's officers responsible for planning emergency telecommunications; this inventory should include an updated list of personnel able to contribute in emergency situations, as well as an up-to-date description of the categories and quantities of equipment and services which could be made available on short notice;

c. at the request of official emergency response organizations, make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible to increase the capacity or improve the performance of the existing telecommunications services or provide temporary alternate telecommunications services;

d. help emergency telecommunications planning officials organize and establish emergency telecommunications networks;

e. in time of emergency, members could provide a certain number of services free of charge to representatives of the response organization. However, if money is charged for the services rendered, the amount should not exceed the commercial rate normally applied; and

f. provide the appropriate representatives of the response organizations with cost forecasts for special services or services provided in special situations.

Note #1: Members of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association will attempt to implement this same understanding with the federal, provincial and municipal organizations responsible for emergency planning in Canada.

This letter of understanding will be distributed by the CWTA to its members and by IC to the appropriate emergency preparedness organization members of the Regional Emergency Telecommunications Committees (RETCs) and the National Emergency Telecommunications Committee (NETC).

For the Department of Industry:

Michael Binder, Assistant Deputy Minister (Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications)

Signature...................................................... Date....................

For the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association:

Roger Poirier, President & CEO

Signature..................................................... Date.....................