OTTAWA – If you’ve ever found it difficult to find things on the CRTC's web site, now you have an opportunity to let the Commission know (they already know the site needs a dramatic overhaul). The Commission launched an online survey today asking for input to help better organize the content on its website.
The survey, which uses online usability testing software from a New Zealand-based company called Optimal Workshop, presents a series of pages with lists of hyperlinks. You are asked to find specific pages of CRTC-related content by clicking through each list and indicating…
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OTTAWA – After almost two years of consultations, the CRTC has announced its revisions to the regulatory framework for small incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs).
The Commission says its determinations in this proceeding were made to ensure that the small ILECs’ customers continue to have access to reliable, innovative, and affordable services; provide the small ILECs with means and incentives to further increase efficiencies and innovation; and implement a regulatory framework for the small ILECs that minimizes regulatory burden to the greatest extent possible.
The revisions to the small ILECs’ regulatory framework…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC launched a public consultation today on whether video relay service for Canadians who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired should be offered. As part of this consultation, the CRTC will hold a public hearing starting on October 21, 2013, in Gatineau, QC.
Currently, two text-based relay services, Internet Protocol relay and teletypewriter relay, are available to Canadians who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. Video relay service would enable people who use sign language to communicate with voice telephone users via an operator who relays the conversation…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC said today it has received an application from South Fraser Broadcasting Inc. for a licence to operate an English-language radio station in Surrey, B.C. As is Commission policy, and given the scarcity of FM frequencies in the Vancouver radio market, the Regulator is calling for applications from other parties wishing to obtain a radio licence to serve this area.
The Vancouver radio market generated $120.8 million in revenues in 2011, according to a Commission report.
BBM, in its March 2013 report, lists 19 stations which measured in ratings in the…
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OTTAWA – After more than four years of fielding complaints about unsolicited phone calls, the CRTC has decided to call a proceeding to review its practices about how to more effectively reduce the number of unwanted phone calls.
The Commission is looking for input from consumers, telemarketers, and other interested parties on how to make its Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules (UTR) more effective in reducing the number of unwanted telemarketing calls. At the same time, it is looking to facilitate more effective communications between organizations and consumers.
To develop its rules and enforcement practices in…
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OTTAWA – Six telco service providers have been ordered to appear before the CRTC at a show cause proceeding for failing to become members of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services Inc. (CCTS).
The CCTS informed the Commission that several companies had failed to become CCTS members which, under the Telecommunications Act, is compulsory for any telecomunications provider that has been informed by the CCTS of a complaint that falls within the scope of its mandate. Companies are required to join CCTS within five days of having been notified of the complaint.
The…
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OTTAWA – In a decision announced Friday, the CRTC ordered that Corus-owned OWN Inc. must comply with the educational mandate of its original licensing conditions or risk losing its license.
The Commission issued a mandatory order, stating OWN must fulfill its mandate to “provide formal and informal educational programming and learning opportunities that generally focus on adult education and that come from a full spectrum of basic, credit-based, skills-related and life-enhancing programs.”
The CRTC found the channel to be in non-compliance in July 2011, just months after Corus rebranded the channel from Viva to…
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GATINEAU – With today’s public release of BCE’s new application to acquire Astral Media, the CRTC has set the new hearing date for May 6.
In its second attempt to win CRTC approval, Bell and Astral Media’s renewed proposal includes a $174.64-million tangible benefits package that includes the development and promotion of new Canadian TV and film content in French and English and over $50 million in radio benefits. “This new application to the CRTC clearly demonstrates the tremendous value the combination of these two all-Canadian media brands will mean for the Canadian public and their broadcasting industry” said Bell…
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Steve Faguy
MONTREAL and GATINEAU – Less than a week after it launched, Vidéotron's answer to Netflix is under attack from a competitor.
Astral Media filed a complaint this week with the CRTC alleging that the Quebecor-owned cable company's subscription video on demand service called Illico Club Unlimited competes directly with Astral's French-language pay TV movie channel Super Écran, and that the Commission should order Videotron to stop.
Quebecor responded to Astral's complaint before it was even published by the CRTC, issuing a press release on Friday morning and publishing an opinion piece written…
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TORONTO – While reiterating how disappointed he was in last fall’s CRTC decision to deny the purchase of his company by Bell Canada, Astral Media CEO Ian Greenberg told shareholders today at Astral’s annual general meeting that the two companies have listened and learned and are confident the new application filed with the Commission will gain approval this time.
The new application was submitted on November 19, 2012 and is expected to be made public by the CRTC very soon. It was 71 days between the submission of the first application from Bell to buy Astral and when it was…
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