All Telecommunications Service Providers (TSPs) in Canada must fully implement STIR/SHAKEN as a condition of providing or offering service. On May 31, 2022, impacted TSPs must submit their first post-implementation STIR/SHAKEN status report.
CRTC STIR/SHAKEN Requirements Cover All TSPs
CRTC Decision 2021-123, which requires Canadian TSPs to implement STIR/SHAKEN to authenticate and verify caller ID information for IP-based calls “on whatever IP portions of the network exist,” including any portion of a TSP’s network “able to initiate, transit, or terminate IP-based calls,” does not exclude reseller TSPs that do not own underlying network infrastructure and rely on underlying providers for STIR/SHAKEN implementation. Thus, all TSPs must comply with CRTC STIR/SHAKEN requirements, including submitting the first status report by the end of this month.
Because status reports are published online by the CRTC once filed, TSPs should consider whether to submit both confidential and abridged, public versions.
Optional SPC Token and STI Certificate Applications Allow TSPs Implementing STIR/SHAKEN More Control Ensure Level A or B Attestation
While not mandated by the CRTC, TSPs can also now submit an application to obtain a Secure Provider Code (SPC) Token from the Canadian Secure Token Governance Authority (CST-GA). SPC Tokens will, in turn, allow these TSPs to access Secure Telephone Identify (STI) Certificates, necessary for TSPs to sign their own traffic for higher (Level A or B) attestation, rather than relying on a third-party.
Take Action Today to Ensure You are Meeting Your Canadian Regulatory Obligations, including STIR/SHAKEN Implementation
In addition to advising TSPs of all sizes and points of market entry, our firm has published a Canadian regulatory compliance guide that covers key aspects of market entry and regulation that serves as a primer with key information for TSP that currently provide or are seeking to provide service in Canada.
If you have questions about the applicability of the CRTC’s STIR/SHAKEN requirements, need assistance with preparing an SPC Token application, or have other CRTC compliance questions, please reach out to Ivan Zajicek at 703-714-1310 or isz@CommLawGroup.com or Ronald Quirk at 703-714-1305 or req@CommLawGroup.com.
For general CRTC/Canadian requirements, please reach out to Ivan Zajicek at 703-714-1310 or isz@CommLawGroup.com.
For questions about STIR/SHAKEN in the United States or FCC Compliance questions, please contact Michael Donahue at 703-714-1319 or mpd@CommLawGroup.com or Ronald Quirk at 703-714-1305 or req@CommLawGroup.com
