Iristel must install wireless public alerting, CRTC rules

The CRTC has told Iristel Inc. it has a year to implement wireless public alerting (WPA) on its LTE networks. Decision 2026-282 was released late Thursday after markets closed. The National Public Alerting System (NPAS) permits emergency management staff to warn the public about dangerous situations. The CRTC regulates the broadcasters and telecoms that take part in the system. One year ago, Iristel filed an application seeking relief from the WPA requirements. The Toronto competitor sought funding through the National Contribution Fund (NCF) for implementation and operation; an exemption for wireless service providers (WSPs) with under 50,000 LTE subscribers; and incumbent carriers providing WPA wholesale. The commission dismissed all of these requests from Iristel. The regulator received five interventions on its Iristel hearing. Additional requests for information were demanded to augment the record. “Based on the record of the proceeding, the Commission finds that Iristel is not eligible for NCF funding, and that the other two proposed forms of relief would not support the objectives of the Policy,” the decision stated. “While the Commission recognizes that smaller WSPs have fewer resources and may face a financial burden in implementing WPA, the proposed solutions would create gaps in WPA coverage.” Until Iristel installs WPA on its networks in 12 months, it must notify current and prospective clients that emergency alerts are not available on the current grid. The application received pushback from other telecoms. Rogers Communications Inc. and Quebecor Inc. noted the NCF has never been used to subsidize compliance. BCE Inc.’s Bell Canada said such a move would shift a carrier-specific requirement onto NCF contributors. While conceding that the cost of implementing WPA hurts smaller players, the CRTC reported that WPA has been a condition of service since April 2018. All other service providers have installed WPA without NCF funding. Rogers and Quebecor posited that Iristel’s proposal would create two classes of wireless providers. Telus Corp. said that current exemptions to WPA were brought in due to market tendencies and technological grounds. That does not factor in this case, it added. “ Iristel has also identified the software, hardware, interconnection, engineering, and testing work required to implement WPA and provided estimates for the associated costs,” the CRTC concluded. “The Commission therefore considers that Iristel has sufficient information to begin implementing WPA, and that 12 months gives it sufficient time to complete the necessary work.” ppark@thewirereport.ca

Iristel must install wireless public alerting, CRTC rules

Regulatory |
By Paul Park
|October 30, 2026

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Iristel must install wireless public alerting, CRTC rules

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