AS MORE AND MORE TV channels and data applications come on stream, there’s less and less bandwidth available on cable plants.
That’s where switched broadcast, or switched digital video, comes in. While the process is invisible to consumers, it can save up to 60% of a cable company’s bandwidth. Basically, it holds back channels that aren’t being watched from the network.
So, while two neighbors might watch the same TV stream of the British Open since the broadcast channel will nearly always be on, the Pet Network and other smaller channels will be held off the cable plant until…
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IF RHETORIC AND HYPERBOLE were gasoline, a single spark would have razed the entire Toronto Congress Centre this week.
The speeches from Bell Canada Enterprises CEO Michael Sabia and Telus CEO Darren Entwistle at this week’s excellent Canadian Telecom Summit – as well as comments from a few others who work under them – suggest that not only are the communications of all Canadians utterly crippled by wacky regulation, but that our CRTC stands in the way of all Canuck creativity, innovation and productivity.
It’s an absurd notion, really. But it’s one much of the nation’s consumer media has…
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OTTAWA – With re-comments re-due today on the CRTC’s reconsideration of its 2005 decision on voice over IP telephony regulation, three of the four largest Canadian MSOs came down on the side of the Commission in a joint submission filed this afternoon.
Last month, the Federal Cabinet told the CRTC it had to re-think the decision it made on VOIP telephony and have a decision – again – within 120 days of the May 7th announcement. The cabinet edict was in response to appeals filed by all but one of Canada’s incumbent telephone companies.
Cogeco Cable, Quebecor Media’s…
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ON THE SURFACE OF IT, allowing customers to pay one subscription fee for Star Choice satellite service at their home and cottage is a very consumer-friendly idea.
Most folks, Star Choice is assuming in offering this deal, generally aren’t in two places at once and are instead watching TV at home during the week and then at Lake Whatsit on Saturday and Sunday. Why not offer to let those consumers pay just one subscription fee? It’ll engender loyalty after all, because who doesn’t like to pay less?
But it’s never that simple, is it?
Videotron named the practice…
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OTTAWA – Told by Cabinet on Friday, Public Notice on Wednesday.
The CRTC issued the required public notice today on the rethink it’s been told to do on last May’s voice over IP decision. The new federal government told the Commission on Friday that it was to reconsider last year’s decision, in light of the current telecom market conditions and the Telecom Policy Review Report filed in March.
The CRTC’s decision determined that VOIP is voice and that existing regulations covering telecom would stand. That largely means that the incumbent telcos still had to file for…
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QUISPAMSIS, N.B. – Canada’s smaller independent cable companies lost their voice in Ottawa this year with the closure of the Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association in February.
Because its 94 member companies still want to be heard by government and the CRTC, the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance decided at a board meeting on Thursday it will re-enter the regulatory arena, albeit on a far smaller scale than what the CCTA offered.
The CCSA has retained Harris Boyd as its new regulatory advisor. Boyd was a long-time executive with the CCTA and was its senior vice-president, industry relations, when the association…
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OTTAWA – The SCTE Ontario chapter general meeting will be held Thursday, April 27 in Ottawa.
The session topics will cover all aspects of fibre optics. Attendees will gain a better understanding of fiber optic fundamentals, DWDM, node splitting techniques, HFC reverse path issues and troubleshooting.
Times Fiber is also offering their plant tour on Wed. April 26 in Renfrew.
Deadline for registration is Monday, April 24. If you want lunch, pre-registration is mandatory. Vendor tables are still available, too.
Click here for the full agenda.
Other SCTE Ontario notes Due to the August long weekend, the golf date…
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KELWONA – Attendees from the cable, telephone and utility industries who want to attend the Canadian Communications and Technology Trade Show and Seminars to be held May 17th and 18th in Kelowna, B.C. who want to save a few bucks on early bird rates have to register this week.
The show takes place at the Coast Capri Hotel & Spa and the trade show will offer more than 200 products and services from over 40 suppliers. Both days offer seminars on a variety of topics as well as a light lunch. Register in March and obtain the early bird discount….
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By Greg O’Brien
I REMEMBER WHEN THEN-CRTC broadcasting vice-chair Andrée Wylie told the 1999 CCTA convention in Vancouver that the Commission had no intention of trying to regulate the Internet.
Because of it’s very nature, it’s impossible to regulate the Internet itself (unless you’re China or some other repressive government that deploys some painful cyber-clamps and doesn’t mind tossing people in jail for reading the New York Times or somesuch online), which the CRTC recognized early on. Plus, 1999 was pre tech-bubble and the opportunities of the ‘net seemed endless. Why toss up regulations in front of such potential?
That Commission…
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TORONTO – Looking to the future (small screens, big screens, portable media, etc.) is great fun, but what’s really driving the industry rightnow? Of course, it’s the focus on the bundle of voice, video and high speed Internet.
Come hear – and interact with – three North American industry leaders who will set out the successes they’ve had, the opportunities they see, and the pitfalls to avoid, when it comes to the voice, video and data bundle. This session will be key for cable operators to hear new ideas from new sources and for programmers since there are significant…
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