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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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Two dozen applicants which have been denied Connect to Innovate money have yet to be notified of their status, despite the government’s intention to give them time to prepare applications for the CRTC’s Broadband Fund and the new Universal Broadband Fund.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) has made it clear, according to a 2019 briefing note obtained by this publication, that it wanted to inform and prepare unsuccessful CTI applicants for other funding opportunities in the CRTC’s $750-million program, which has already closed a second round of applications, and in the government’s delayed $1 billion…
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By Doug Barrett
ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER stresses and strains in this unsettled time comes a very particular challenge for the broadcasting system during a pandemic: What to do about all of the conditions and requirements imposed on broadcasters by the CRTC. It turns out the problem is not straightforward.
In mid-July, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters filed a formidable application with the Commission on behalf of all private radio and television broadcasters that painted a bleak economic picture for the March to June period and beyond, and bluntly asked for sweeping regulatory relief.
The relief requested: “…absent evidence of…
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By Steve Faguy
MONTREAL — Citing “changes to our business,” Pelmorex Corp. eliminated 14 jobs last week.
The company, which owns The Weather Network/MétéoMédia and manages the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination System, said in a statement to Cartt.ca that the cuts were “across various business units within the entire Pelmorex organization.”
No additional details were provided.
According to financial summaries published by the CRTC, TWN/MétéoMédia has been seeing a steady decline in revenue in its regulated businesses, averaging 4% a year, as both advertising revenue and number of subscribers has fallen continuously over the past five years, in line with trends in…
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MARKHAM, Ont. — The Canadian Telecom Summit, which this year is a virtual event taking place November 17 to 19, announced more keynote speakers this week.
Today it was confirmed Tony Geheran (left), executive vice-president and chief customer officer of Telus, will deliver a keynote presentation on Thursday, November 17 from 1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. ET. In his role at Telus, Geheran leads an organization of more than 12,500 team members who look after all aspects of the customer service journey for mobility and home solutions as well as the deployment of Telus’ PureFibre network and digital strategy. Read…
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