Information for GC departments and agencies
The fixed phone lines initiative applies to SSC partner organizations.
For modernization and cost savings, we also encourage other Government of Canada departments, agencies and Crown corporations that are not SSC partners to adopt softphones as the default voice service model.
Required actions
Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and senior management must:
- review fixed telephone lines at their respective buildings and identify essential lines
- confirm functionality of essential occupational health and safety (OHS) and critical system lines during suspension periods
- implement change management plans that ensure departmental awareness and a seamless transition to softphone-based communication
- identify and address scheduling conflicts for postponed implementation when special circumstances apply
Fixed line identification
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Essential fixed lines
Reserved for physical phones needed due to technical limitations, critical operational requirements or duty to accommodate situations, as determined by partners and approved by SSC.
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Contact centres/Call centres
Exceptions may be granted temporarily for contact centres/call centres until IP conversion, with proper justification and time limits.
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Fax and specialized services
Partners are required to transition services such as fax, point of sale (POS) and similar systems to modern IP-based solutions; no exceptions are permitted.
Emergency reactivation and business continuity
In the event of an error or unforeseen circumstances, SSC maintains an emergency fixed line reactivation process during the 30-day suspension period of each building-by-building wave.
Partners are responsible for ensuring uninterrupted access to critical Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and emergency lines, training employees on contingency plans and documenting emergency procedures.
More information
For more information, please contact your client executive (accessible only on the GC network).