By Ahmad Hathout
THE CANADIAN NETWORK OPERATORS Consortium (CNOC) is facing fresh denials from some incumbents to a request by the organization to lift certain network restrictions during the Covid-19 crisis.
The three-part ask from CNOC, which represents smaller third party internet access operators that rent part of the network of the larger providers, includes a lifting of capacity restraints free-of-charge, expedited network augmentations through more physical interconnections, and wholesale payment term flexibility of 60 additional days to help support customers who are unable to pay on time.
The letter was sent over the course of the past couple of weeks to…
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MONTREAL — Cogeco Connexion reported Tuesday it has seen a significant increase in traffic on all of its services over the past month as teleworking and greater use of online educational and digital entertainment platforms have caused peaks in network utilization during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the news release, Cogeco has experienced the following network traffic increases in the last month:
Approximately 60% greater use of its Internet services during the day and about 25% at night;
40% increase in traffic for its video-on-demand services and growth of between 20% and 40% for other video streaming services, including…
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MONTREAL — Cogeco Inc. released its second quarter 2020 financial results late Tuesday while also announcing it is withdrawing its financial guidance for the fiscal year 2020 due to the economic uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company says the negative impact of Covid-19 will be felt especially by its radio operations which generate revenue primarily from the retail industry, a sector hit hard by mandated closures. The company has already downsized its radio division.
For the second quarter of 2020, Cogeco reported its revenue remained essentially stable compared to the same period of 2019 and reached $610.8 million….
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Quarterly results reporting begins this week
By Greg O’Brien
TORONTO – Both Cogeco Inc. and Shaw Communications will release their fiscal 2020 second quarter results this week, but since their quarters ended February 29th, those numbers will resemble more of a time capsule than an account of what is going on in the market right now and the real news will be what the companies have to say about what’s happened since with the Covid-19 crisis.
“We believe Canadian telcos and cablecos remain structurally sound and even after our target price revisions, we believe the sector will provide investors attractive potential total…
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By Steve Faguy
MONTREAL — What’s an all-traffic radio station to do when there’s no traffic? Don’t bother.
Cogeco Media’s Radio Circulation 730 AM in Montreal, which has been running all-day traffic updates since 2011, has replaced its programming with a rebroadcast of sister talk station 98.5 FM this week, as Quebecers stay home to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It’s a temporary situation caused by the absence of traffic,” explained Cogeco Media communications director Christine Dicaire. “Everything will be back to normal once people are back on the roads.”
With schools and non-essential businesses closed, international travel prohibited and even travel between…
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MONTREAL — Cogeco Connexion, reported Tuesday its self-install kits for Internet and TV services have become increasingly popular with customers during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the company is encouraging other customers to follow suit.
This self-installation approach is recommended in the context of the current pandemic in order to ensure the safety of all, says the news release. The cable company’s self-install kit contains all the equipment and instructions necessary for self-installation of new products and services.
“Although the context is particular, it is extraordinary to see how creative our Cogeco employees have been and how we were able to…
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TORONTO — With Rogers Media’s free preview of its FX specialty channel now extended until May 11, the broadcaster announced the new Mrs. America limited series starring Cate Blanchett will premiere in Canada on FX and online on FX Now starting April 15.
The nine-part miniseries, featuring Blanchett as conservative firebrand Phyliss Schlafly, tells the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the unexpected backlash it brought about. Portraying some of the most iconic women of the era, the cast also includes Rose Byrne (Bridesmaids) as Gloria Steinem, Margo Martindale (American Crime Story) as Bella…
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OTTAWA – CBC/Radio-Canada has announced it is delivering special access to content across all of its platforms, including news, educational resources for kids and parents, and a wide variety of programming to keep Canadians entertained when they need a break.
“The situation continues to change each day. Canadians need to know what’s happening and to understand what it means for them and for their family and friends. Our news teams are working around the clock to keep all Canadians on top of the latest developments here in Canada and around the world,” said CBC CEO Catherine Tait in a statement.
“We’re…
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MONTREAL – Cogeco Inc. announced today it has temporarily laid off 130 employees in its media division thanks to advertising pullbacks due to the Covid-19 crisis.
The company owns 23 radio stations in Quebec and Ontario, including the popular Rythme FM brand. The cutbacks make up around 20% of the division’s workforce.
“This difficult decision was made in the context of an unprecedented economic crisis that is causing a meltdown of the advertising market which is the source of revenues for our stations,” said a company spokesperson to Cartt.ca.
The crisis has not yet affected the company’s primary businesses, which is broadband…
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Canadian communications giant dead at 85
CALGARY – Shaw Communications founder, executive chair and former CEO JR Shaw is being remembered not only as a pioneering cable and telecom builder, but a family man, philanthropist, and a one-of-a-kind gentleman who inspired deep loyalty and unity.
Known throughout the North American communications industry simply as JR, Shaw was a pioneer in Canadian business and a Canadian telecommunications sector visionary. He passed away in his sleep Tuesday at the age of 85.
“My family and I are at a loss for words and are deeply saddened at JR’s passing,” said Brad Shaw, CEO of…
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