By Denis Carmel
GATINEAU – In 2013, the CRTC licenced the Seasonal Channel, a category B television channel owned by Stingray that would “feature still pictures and moving video of nature scenes with appropriate music that will change based upon the season to create a soothing video environment.”
In its 2019 licence renewal, questions were raised as to whether the channel, called Ambiance at that point, should be exempted under the Still Image Exemption Order. As Stingray said, in a letter to the Commission, on February 7th 2019: “It is also important to note that Stingray Ambiance is currently the only…
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OTTAWA — The Canadian Secure Token Governance Authority (CST-GA), in partnership with Sterling, Va.-based Neustar Information Services, today announced it has launched the Canadian-based infrastructure and website for eligible carriers to register and join CST-GA to participate in the Secure Telephone Identity (STI) call authentication ecosystem using STIR/SHAKEN.
Designed to counter illegal robocalls and spoofed calls, STIR/SHAKEN is a framework of interconnected technology standards that supports authentication of incoming calls and offers a level of assurance that a call is from a legitimate source.
CST-GA is the national governance authority responsible for directing and overseeing the Secure Telephone Identity Policy…
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OTTAWA — The Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) issued a reminder today there’s only 10 days left to register for the two-day virtual 2020 Canadian ISP Summit, happening November 3 to 4.
With the theme “Navigating the New Normal”, the virtual conference will feature keynote speakers, general session presentations and panels, as well as a virtual trade show.
Already confirmed to speak are CRTC chair and CEO Ian Scott, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains, innovation strategist Shawn Kanungo, and CNOC president and chairman Matt Stein.
Panels include a regulatory panel moderated by Cartt.ca editor and publisher Greg O’Brien,…
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Denies request for confidential SIM-swap info, too
GATINEAU — The CRTC informed the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) in a procedural letter last week it won’t be initiating a public proceeding into the issue of unauthorized mobile telephone number transfers and SIM swaps, also known as wireless number porting fraud.
Furthermore, the Commission has denied PIAC’s request in July for the disclosure of confidential information submitted to the Commission by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) regarding measures being proposed to address unauthorized number porting and SIM swap fraud, as well as confidential data filed by wireless service providers regarding the…
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Service launch not coming soon…
GATINEAU — The CRTC has approved an application by Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) for a Basic International Telecommunications Services (BITS) licence to provide telecom services via SpaceX’s Starlink low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation.
The Commission said in a letter dated October 15 and addressed to SpaceX’s chief financial officer, Bret Johnsen, it received 2,585 interventions regarding the licence application, and after considering the submitted comments, it is approving the application and issuing a BITS licence to SpaceX. Getting a BITS licence is not exactly the highest hurdle there is to clear (most are approved…
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Bell’s Oosterman to lead media group
MONTREAL — BCE announced today Bell group president and vice-chair Wade Oosterman will take over operational leadership of Bell Media in 2021 following the departure of Bell Media’s current president, Randy Lennox, on January 4.
“On behalf of everyone at Bell, I would like to thank Randy (above) for his leadership at Bell Media and his support of a smooth leadership transition in 2021,” said Mirko Bibic, president and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada, in a press release. “A renowned executive in Canadian music and media, Randy joined Bell Media in 2015 and has…
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By Ahmad Hathout
A former CRTC commissioner will go to court on Monday armed with new evidence he says will show why the Federal Court got it wrong when it dismissed his case for judicial review of his second termination from the regulator.
Former commissioner of Ontario Balraj Shoan (above) was twice fired by then-Heritage Minister Melanie Joly in 2016 and 2017 for allegations of workplace harassment, engaging in inappropriate stakeholder contact, speaking negatively of the regulator in public, and refusing to respect appropriate access to information policy.
Shoan, who was appointed by Heritage to the CRTC…
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WHITEHORSE – This week, Northwestel submitted tariff applications to the CRTC for new business and residential Internet packages with an unlimited data option.
If approved, Internet plans with unlimited data would be available in Whitehorse YT, Carcross YT, Fort Nelson BC, Yellowknife NWT, Hay River NWT, Norman Wells NWT and Fort Smith NWT.
The company says it plans on offering unlimited data on three residential Internet plans: Internet 250, Internet 125 and Internet 50. Customers will be able to choose unlimited data on the top two standard Internet plans for $10 more per month.
Its Internet 250 plan (250 Mbps download speed/15…
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OTTAWA — The Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) announced today CRTC chair and CEO Ian Scott and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains are confirmed as keynote speakers for next month’s virtual Canadian ISP Summit.
Running from November 3 to 4, the virtual 2020 Canadian ISP Summit has as its theme “Navigating the New Normal”, and will feature keynote speeches, general session presentations and panel discussions, as well as a virtual trade show.
Scott is scheduled to speak on November 3 from 1:10 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. ET. Bains will speak on November 4 from 2 p.m. to…
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VANCOUVER and GATINEAU – A Part 1 application filed October 1st with the CRTC this week says a Vancouver developer allegedly doesn’t know or won’t follow the rules around allowing competitive network providers into new buildings.
The application from Novus Communications asks the Commission to issue an order for timely access to certain developments currently being built by Polygon Construction Management. Novus provides broadband, TV, and telephone service to thousands of customers in and around Vancouver in multiple unit dwellings such as apartments and condos.
The application focuses on what has happened trying to get into the Berkeley House project in…
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