Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to Jeff Beatty (Deaf Wireless Canada Consultative Committee (DWCC))
Gatineau, 10 February 2026
Reference(s): 1011-NOC2026-0009
BY EMAIL
Jeff Beatty, Chairperson
Deaf Wireless Canada Consultative Committee (DWCC)
405-15 Wellings Dr.
Picton ON K0K 2T0
chair@deafwireless.ca
Subject: Telecom Notice of Consultation 2026-9 Call for comments – Mobile reporting standard – Procedural request
Dear Jeff Beatty,
Commission staff acknowledges receipt of your request of 28 January 2026, filed on behalf of the DWCC. In responding to this request, we would like first to clarify the purpose and scope of this consultation.
This consultation is taking place in response to Canadians’ concerns about gaps in mobile service coverage. According to data collected by the Commission, while 99.5% of the Canadian population has access to mobile services, public opinion research shows that many Canadians still find that there are significant gaps in coverage.
A key step in closing these gaps is to improve the accuracy of information on coverage where Canadians are located. As part of its regulatory role, the Commission conducts an Annual Facilities Survey which collects data about telecommunications service providers’ networks, including information on where service is available and where there are gaps. The data collected is shared with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, which uses this data to publish and maintain national coverage maps, including its National Broadband Map.
Included with the Notice of Consultation are a technical proposal and recommendations outlining definitions and methodologies that, once finalized, will be used to improve the Annual Facilities Survey. These technical proposals describe the levels of voice and data service (which could be used for video calls) that a mobile phone user should expect if an area is considered to have coverage. They also describe requirements for coverage at the Emergency, Basic, or Advanced levels.
As explained in paragraph 7 of the Notice of Consultation, the purpose of this proceeding is to develop reporting standards for mobile coverage reporting so that the Commission can improve the Survey to enhance collection of mobile coverage data. The scope of this proceeding is to obtain views on the technical proposal and recommendations for improved reporting standards. The Commission has launched this consultation with the understanding that the current mobile coverage reporting is not sufficient. As such, real-world testing is not necessary at this time. After the Commission has published its decision to finalize the reporting standards, it will update its Annual Facilities Survey of wireless carriers to ensure more accurate coverage data is available.
In this consultation, the Commission also invites Canadians’ views on how the proposed standards ensure that mobile services are accessible and inclusive. As this is a consultation relating to a set of technical standards, the Commission is not conducting a hearing on the matter. Nonetheless, as we explain in the Notice of Consultation, any interested persons and parties can request accommodations to participate in this proceeding. The Commission accepts requests for reasonable accommodations regarding interventions and undertakings that are directly relevant to this consultation as described above.
If you have any questions, please contact me at Mark.Allen@crtc.gc.ca.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Mark Allen
Senior Manager, Consumer Analytics and Strategy
CRTC
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