Telecom carriers support United Way bid for 211 dialing, but not higher costs

Telecom carriers are throwing their support behind a United Way proposal to make 211 the national dialing code for social services, while giving the cold shoulder to a similar proposal by the Canadian Institute of the Blind (CNIB). The CRTC received some 20 letters by Jan. 5 in response Telecom PN 2000-151, seeking comments on applications by both groups to begin using N11 codes for their respective services (NL, Nov. 20/00). The commission is also seeking feedback on a new policy for assigning Canada’s remaining unused three-digit access codes – 211, 311, 811 and 511. The Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance is one of several groups opposing an application by the CNIB for N11 dialing. CATA suggests that if the CNIB were to have exclusive 211 access , other groups that provide information services to the visually impaired would be driven out of business. "A CNIB monopoly would be no different than any other," it writes. "It will stifle development of new technology, new delivery mechanisms and new content." AT&T Canada takes a similar stand in its Jan. 5 intervention. The carrier notes that N11 codes are a scarce resource, and as such, should be assigned for common purposes – such as emergency services – and not to any one group. The CNIB proposes to use the remaining three-digit codes to provide access to its Information Centre for the Blind, which it says would be similar to the Message Relay Service available to the deaf at 711. The agency also suggests that all telephone users should pay a small monthly fee to maintain this service. The CNIB proposes financing the service through a per-line charge, and through LECs paying two cents a month per active telephone number to the agency for the blind. The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association says the proposed charge doesn’t appear to be cost-based, and if approved, would net the charitable organization an annual profit of $429,600. The United Way of Greater Toronto and Community Information Toronto have their sights set on the 211 code. Under a proposal filed by the groups earlier this year (NL, June 19/00) callers would be able to use 211 to gain access to information and referral services relevant to community, government, health and social agencies. The groups are asking that the system be set up across the country. In contrast to the CNIB proposal, there would be no charge for using the code on a wireline telephone. Wireless users would pay the usual rate for air time while pay phone callers would pay 25 cents.The United Way application says having a 211 option in place would actually reduce the number of calls to 911. AT&T Canada supports the application, but objects to its suggestion telecom carriers bear the costs associated with implementing 211. "The carriers should not be burdened with these costs," writes Pierre Michaud, AT&T Canada’s director of regulatory affairs. "Moreover, the carriers should be permitted to recover any ongoing costs associated with the establishment and use of the proposed 211 code." Ideas are also being put forward for the 311 code. The cities of Calgary and Winnipeg are interested having 311 assigned for municipal services, with 211 being used for health/social service information and referral. The City of Calgary says it’s currently preparing its application to the CRTC. Both 311 and 211 are already assigned for those purposes in the U.S.

Telecom carriers support United Way bid for 211 dialing, but not higher costs

News | January 15, 2001

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Telecom carriers support United Way bid for 211 dialing, but not higher costs

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