Search Results for: cogeco

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC mandates standards to improve message relay services

OTTAWA and GATINEAU – The CRTC has set new standards for text-based message relay services to help improve the service for hearing or speech impaired Canadians. Message relay services (MRS) enable Canadians with a hearing or a speech disability to make and receive telephone calls via text with the assistance of a relay operator.  The CRTC has long required that home phone providers offer MRS to customers 24 hours per day, seven days per week, first through teletypewriter (TTY) relay service and then through IP relay services, too. The Commission said Friday that mobile wireless service providers (WSPs) must begin offering… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

CRTC may tweak big cable’s HSA tariffs

OTTAWA – The CRTC has sided with Frontier Networks in its dispute with Eastlink over reselling its high-speed access (HSA) services. In April, Frontier requested expedited interim relief and final relief regarding the refusal of Bragg Communications Inc. (carrying on business as Eastlink), to allow it to continue to resell HSA service to its two reseller customers.  Interim relief was granted by the CRTC in May. On Tuesday, the Commission made Frontier’s interim relief final after finding that its interpretation of Eastlink’s Third-Party Internet Access General Tariff is correct.  It also directed Eastlink to file revised Tariff pages within 30 … Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco bows out of 600 MHz auction but says wireless still an option

All applications due last week MONTREAL – Cogeco Communications said that it will not participate in next year’s 600 MHz spectrum auction but will still “explore opportunities” in the wireless market. In a surprising announcement late Thursday, the company said that basing the structure of the auction on large geographic areas makes it “uneconomical” for the company. “We continue to actively and strategically pursue opportunities to enter the wireless market in order to offer a complementary service to our customers and expand our business,” said Cogeco’s SVP strategy and CTO Luc Noiseux, in the statement.  “Following the acquisition of spectrum licenses… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Cogeco completes acquisition of 10 radio stations from RNC Media

MONTREAL – Cogeco Media’s network of radio stations officially expanded to 22 on Monday after parent Cogeco Inc. wrapped up its purchase of 10 French-language regional radio stations in Quebec and Ontario from RNC Media. The $19.2 million transactio received CRTC approval on October 11. The new stations are located in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (Planète 104.5 in Alma, Planète 93.5 in Chibougamau, Planète 99.5 in Roberval, Planète 100.3 in Dolbeau-Mistassini, and Radio X 95.7 in Saguenay), in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (Capitale Rock 104.3 in Val-d’Or, Capitale Rock 102.1 in La Sarre, and WOW 96.5, in Val-d’Or), in Lachute (Pop 104.9) and in Hawkesbury (Pop… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco launches managed Wi-Fi for business

BURLINGTON, ON – Cogeco Connexion is offering a customizable, cloud-based managed Wi-Fi solution designed for small and mid-market businesses. A complete service that offers integrated equipment, installation, and support, Cogeco Connexion's Managed Wi-Fi solution provides enhanced internet access as well as scalable Wi-Fi capabilities plus a management portal to customize settings (i.e. Wi-Fi access for guests) and get insights on Wi-Fi usage. The company added that the Wi-Fi solution is professionally designed and tailored to specific customer requirements, installed by experts and monitored remotely to ensure a fast and reliable Wi-Fi experience. "More than ever, our business customers are asking for enhanced… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco expands gigabit offering in Quebec

MONTREAL – Cogeco Connexion has launched its residential and business gigabit Internet offering in “targeted” Quebec markets. The up to 1 Gbps service is now available in Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, Saint-Hyacinthe, Rimouski and Saint-Adèle, the company said Thursday.  This includes next generation Internet Wi-Fi equipment, as well. "Today's announcement is further evidence of our unwavering commitment to providing our customers the means to effectively navigate evolving technology as well as to meet their changing needs," said president Ken Smithard, in the news release. "More than ever, our customers are asking for increased Internet capabilities to support their gaming, streaming and browsing needs… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco’s Louis Audet named 2018 Global Citizens Laureate by the United Nations Association in Canada

MONTREAL – Cogeco Inc. executive board chairman Louis Audet has been selected as the United Nations Association in Canada’s (UNA-Canada) 2018 Global Citizens Laureate. Each year, UNA-Canada names a global citizen laureate by selecting a Canadian who shares and invests in ideas, people, and community.  Audet received the honour at a dinner held Wednesday in Montreal. “This year’s Global Citizens Dinner paid special tribute to Mr. Audet’s uniquely Canadian model of success within the global community and recognized him for his dedication as a Canadian corporate leader who continuously gives back through his active involvement with charitable, educational and community organizations,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cable 14 serves up ’14 Ways To Feed The Hammer’

HAMILTON – Community television channel Cable 14 is behind a series of public service announcements designed to promote Hamilton Food Share’s organizations and programs to local residents in need. Through a campaign called ‘​14 Ways To Feed The Hammer’, the PSAs will feature not only how these organizations support individuals over the holidays, but how they ensure that vulnerable citizens have access to food all year round.  According to the news release, approximately 10,000 Hamilton households will reach out to the emergency food system for assistance in providing their family with the celebrations that many of us take for… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cogeco unveils new SVP of public affairs, communications

MONTREAL – Cogeco Inc. has named Marie-Hélène Labrie to the position of senior vice-president of public affairs and communications. Labrie (pictured) joins Cogeco after ten years at Montreal cleantech firm Enerkem, where she was most recently SVP government affairs and communications.  Cogeco’s announcement said that Labrie has more than 20 years of broad experience in government relations, public communications and marketing. “Marie-Hélène’s extensive knowledge of government relations, marketing and communications as well as her diverse background in both traditional and new media make her an ideal candidate to take the helm of Cogeco’s Public Affairs and Communications team,” said Cogeco president… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Low income broadband program Connecting Families has officially launched

OTTAWA – The Connecting Families program which was announced in June by Navdeep Bains, Minister of Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) at the Telecom Summit, in Toronto was unveiled this week. The government is not subsidizing ISPs to provide the low-cost Internet service but is investing $13.2 million over five years to refurbish and deliver up to 50,000 computers to eligible families through the Computers for Success Canada program, as well as to develop a secure online portal through which eligible families can sign up for the initiative and access the low-cost Internet service and/or a refurbished computer. This Continue Reading