Search Results for: ccsa

Cable / Telecom News

With no delay coming, Novus wants 3500 MHz auction application process reopened (Update: ISED says no)

VANCOUVER and OTTAWA — In response to Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne’s announcement last week the 3500 MHz spectrum auction scheduled for June 15 will not be delayed, independent telecom services provider Novus Entertainment has instead asked for the application process to be reopened. “Novus would like to propose that the Department of Industry, Science and Economic Development (ISED) simply extend the time allowed for providing an application,” writes Donna Robertson, co-president and chief legal officer of Novus, in a letter sent to Minister Champagne on April 30. “We would not expect a delay to the auction,”… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Support grows to delay 3500 MHz spectrum auction

CCSA, Distributel, Novus want application process reopened to allow more telecoms to participate in auction TORONTO — Independent telecom service providers Distributel Communications, Novus Entertainment and the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance (CCSA), which has over 100 member companies, have written to Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne in support of a request last week by the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) for a 90-day delay to the start of the 3500 MHz spectrum auction currently scheduled to begin June 15. In a letter today shared by Distributel CEO Matt Stein (who also chairs CNOC), the independent telecom company Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CNOC and CCSA team up for virtual ISP Summit

THE 2021 CANADIAN ISP SUMMIT, which this year is being organized as a virtual event jointly by the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) and the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance (CCSA), will take place from September 28 to 29. This is the first time ever the event will be presented jointly by CNOC the CCSA and will more than doubles the event’s size. In an email alert today, organizers announced the September dates for the virtual summit, saying sponsorship packages and pricing information will be released soon. The call for sponsorships for this year’s event is now open. “The joint partnership between… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Wireless Policy Review: “Facilities-based” wins the MVNO decision

CRTC focuses on accelerating regional carrier network builds. Eyes now on Cogeco if regulatory conditions satisfy mobile entry By Ahmad Hathout GATINEAU – In requiring the country’s largest telecommunications companies to negotiate access to its wireless network with regional carriers, the CRTC has signaled its desire to bolster the fourth players and help accelerate the expansion and deployment of those networks, the Commission’s head Ian Scott said Thursday. But the Regulator will not require those regional carriers to come to commercial arrangements with smaller players on that leased capacity, with Scott only saying they are permitted to do so. In essence, Thursday’s decision… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

CCSA’s Tuned-In Canada winners announced

QUISPAMSIS, N.B. — The Canadian Communication Systems Alliance (CCSA) announced today the winners of the Tuned-In Canada 2021 awards which celebrate the contributions CCSA-member independent communications companies make to their communities and customers. Awards were given in three public-voting categories (where votes were cast online) and two juried categories (which were determined by a panel of four judges, including Cartt.ca editor and publisher Greg O’Brien). The Tuned-In Canada winners for 2021 are: Public-Voting Categories Best people: on-camera community channel personality Novus Entertainment (BC) — Jordan Wade Cooptel (QC) — Pierre Tétrault Best story: giving back CRRS (NL) — 40 years of making a difference Best… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Incorporating the ACA into CRTC regs

By Denis Carmel GATINEAU – The Accessible Canada Act (ACA) came into force on 11 July 2019, with the objective of realizing a Canada without barriers for people with disabilities. “The ACA furthers this objective by imposing certain reporting obligations on entities under federal jurisdiction, including broadcasting undertakings, Canadian telecommunications common carriers, and telecommunications service providers,” mentions the CRTC’s notice of consultation aimed at devising a regulatory framework following passage of the ACA. “The Commission sets out the content of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Accessibility Reporting Regulations (the Regulations), to be made under the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and calls… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

C-10 is “long overdue” says Bell exec

By Denis Carmel OTTAWA – The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met for the eighth time to hear witnesses’ testimonies on Bill C-10, the Act to amend the Broadcasting Act, on Monday. We’ve pretty much got a bead on who’s thinking what, now. We heard again from Friends of Canadian Broadcasting (Friends) whose question time had been taken up by committee business and the Fedération National des Communications which could not appear in a previous meeting due to technical problems. They were joined by BCE, Unifor, and the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA). Shaw had been slotted to… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

COMMENTARY: Why Bill C-10 must hold the Canadian giants in check

By Jay Thomson THE CCSA WAS FORMED in the early 1990s, around the same time as the current Broadcasting Act came into force. Like the Act back then, our members at the time did not contemplate the growth in size and influence of the “foreign digital giants”. But also like the Act back then, our members did not contemplate the massive consolidation that would take place in the Canadian broadcasting industry. Neither the Act nor our members contemplated that just three domestic companies – Bell, Rogers and Quebecor – would come to dominate Canada’s communications marketplace; that, through ownership of most of… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Voting for Tuned-In awards now open

QUISPAMSIS – Nationwide voting is now open for Tuned-In Canada: the CCSA Awards. The Canadian Communication Systems Alliance awards is a long-standing annual initiative which celebrates the contributions its independent communications company members make to their communities and customers. Canadians are invited to visit www.tunedincanada.com/vote/ to cast a vote for nominees in the following three contest categories: Best people: on-camera community channel personality Best story: giving back Best photo: connecting Canadians (short-listed pictures shown above) Voting takes place using SMS authentication and Canadians can cast their votes until April 1st. Winners will be announced April 12th and each will receive $1,000 to donate to… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Novus again has to demand access to MDUs

VANCOUVER and GATINEAU — Independent service provider Novus Entertainment is asking the CRTC for help to gain timely access to a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) development in Coquitlam, B.C., and other future MDU developments by Beedie Living and related companies. A member of the Canadian Communications Systems Alliance (CCSA), Novus provides telephone, TV and Internet services exclusively to residents of MDU buildings, primarily in and around Metro Vancouver, and is looking to expand its business. The Coquitlam development in question in Novus’ Part 1 application, submitted March 1, is The Heights on Austin, to which Novus says it has so far… Continue Reading