Telecoms note spectrum cap kept prices reasonable
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Innovation Canada released the results of the 3.8 GHz spectrum auction Thursday, with Cogeco getting a piece as it prepares mobile wireless market entry and Quebecor capturing a slice for its western Canada push.
Telus took home the largest number of licences with 1430 for a price of $620 million to cover 33 million Canadians. Bell was next with a spend of $518 million for 939 licences with expected population coverage of 34.6 million Canadians. Rogers spent $475 million for 860 licences with expected population coverage of 35 million. Videotron…
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By Ahmad Hathout
Cogeco CEO Philippe Jette said Thursday that the company is still in commercial negotiations to access the national wireless networks to launch its first wireless business, adding it is preparing to enter that business in the United States.
The Montreal-based telecom has been trying to negotiate access for months to launch its mobile virtual network operator business. The CRTC said it expected national and regional carriers to negotiate access by August 7 or else propose arbitration at the commission.
But Jette said during the company’s fiscal fourth quarter earnings call Thursday that even if the company…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC last week informed Cogeco Communications via a letter it was closing a tariff application proposing revisions to Cogeco’s third-party internet access (TPIA) tariff, and suggested the ISP resubmit the application with additional information required under the commission’s tariff application rules.
In its Sept. 8 application to revise its TPIA tariff, Cogeco said it had started to increase the upload speed of its 360 Mbps and 1 Gbps downstream high-speed retail internet services from 30 Mbps to 100 Mbps, and this increase would be progressively rolled out throughout Cogeco’s serving…
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MONTREAL – Cogeco announced Friday that it has appointed Valery Zamuner as its senior vice president and chief corporate affairs and legal officer.
Zamuner will lead the corporate affairs and legal, regulatory and government teams and interact with external stakeholders. Her role is effective Monday.
“Valéry’s experience in leading large teams makes her the ideal candidate in helping us achieve our strategic objectives, while she will also play a key role in the priority projects that will shape the future of our company,” Philippe Jette, Cogeco’s president and CEO said in a press release.
“I am delighted to welcome Valéry to our…
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MONTREAL – Cogeco announced Thursday the appointment of Tim Dinesen to senior vice president and chief technology officer, effective September 11.
“Tim’s impressive track record, extensive experience in telecommunications, and passion for technology make him the ideal candidate for this highly strategic position at Cogeco as our business transforms and digital becomes increasingly embedded in our operations,” said Cogeco president and CEO Philippe Jette in a press release.
“In this role, he will evolve Cogeco’s technology and innovation strategy, as well as lead the deployment of emerging technologies,” Jette added. “I am very pleased that he is joining us and contributing…
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By Ahmad Hathout
MONTREAL – With less than a month remaining to get an agreement hammered before the CRTC-imposed deadline, Cogeco CEO Philippe Jette said the telecom is still working to get a deal done to roam on the large carriers’ wireless networks.
“We’re still determined to launch a mobile service in Canada and we are now in negotiations with the MNO,” Jette said on the company’s fiscal third-quarter conference call with analysts Friday. “For competitive reasons, we won’t go further on this call…it remains a critical element for our business case to enter for the long-term this market, so we…
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OSGOODE – Bell and Cogeco will get a combined $71 million from the federal and provincial governments to provide high-speed internet access to more than 22,000 homes in 74 rural communities across eastern Ontario, according to a press release Thursday.
Bell will be tasked with tackling roughly 82 communities, while Cogeco will address access in three.
The funding will come, in part, from a joint partnership between Ontario and Innovation Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund.
Cogeco will be tasked to provide access to the communities of Battersea, Inverary, and Marysville.
Meanwhile, Bell will provide access to the following communities:
Algonquin, Athens, Blanchards Hill, Brockville, Charleston,…
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By Ahmad Hathout
MONTREAL – Cogeco CEO Philippe Jette said Friday that wireless service providers are in a better position to focus on negotiating mobile virtual network operator deals with the conclusion of Rogers’s acquisition of Shaw.
“It provides more predictability throughout the industry now that this transaction is over and we know what to expect of it,” Jette said on the company’s second-quarter conference call Friday morning.
“I think now every player is at a better place with the conclusion of the transaction and getting ready for the next steps negotiating partnerships and rates,” he added.
Earlier this month, Rogers and Videotron Continue Reading
MILTON – Cogeco is set to receive nearly $2.4 million from the combined federal and Ontario broadband partnership to connect 299 homes in Campbellville, Ontario, a news release said Thursday.
“This project is very special to us, as it is right in our Ontario head office community: Halton Region,” Cogeco’s vice president and general manager of customer experience and business-to-business, said in the release. “We are pleased to contribute to the local economy and drive growth in the region.”
The announcement is part of a larger commitment to get the entire province connected to high-speed internet by the end of 2025. The money…
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MONTREAL – Cogeco Connexion announced Tuesday it is acquiring the internet customers of oxio, which said it is focusing on its software business going forward.
“Oxio is an attractive brand with high customer satisfaction and a great team,” Cogeco Connexion president Frederic Perron said in a press release. “Its home Internet offering, based on a digital-only experience, is an exciting addition to our wide range of high-quality telecommunications services. With the acquisition of oxio, Cogeco Connexion will now have a second brand to serve the telecommunications needs of Canadians.”
Oxio operates in Quebec, Ontario and the west. Cogeco did not respond…
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