OTTAWA – With next-generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) services still about two years away, the CRTC is seeking comments on NG9-1-1 network design efficiencies.
The Commission said Monday that it will hold a proceeding to examine recommendations made in a recent report from from NG9-1-1 stakeholders, such as roles and responsibilities related to the provision of location information servers and customer information databases, NG9-1-1 network components that could be shared, and efficient interconnection arrangements.
Interventions are due by April 25, 2018 and should address the specific questions contained in the CRTC’s call for comments and include supporting rationale.
“As a result of this proceeding,…
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MONTREAL – Attraction Media is getting out of the radio business after unveiling plans to sell off its 15 Quebec stations to EVP and COO Sylvain Chamberland.
According to a La Presse report, Chamberland was tapped by Attraction founder Richard Speer in 2011 to build the company’s radio division, Attraction Radio, by acquiring small-market stations across Quebec. The company says that it currently reaches 1.6 million listeners each month through its network of regional stations that stretch from Sept-Îles to Joliette, via Lac-Mégantic and Matane.
Following CRTC approval of the stations' sale, Chamberland will leave Attraction Media and create a…
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And what about the Radiocom Act?
THE 2017 BUDGET ANNOUNCED the following legislative review.
“To ensure that Canadians continue to benefit from an open and innovative Internet, the Government proposes to review and modernize the Broadcasting Act and Telecommunications Act.
In this review, the Government will look to examine issues such as telecommunications and content creation in the digital age, net neutrality and cultural diversity, and how to strengthen the future of Canadian media and Canadian content creation.”
The government is to be commended for conducting a review of the broadcasting legislation and telecommunications given that the present legislation stems from the 1980’s…
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GATINEAU – Today the CRTC said no, for now, to Wi-Fi first mobile operators, effectively shutting down the business plan that was Sugar Mobile, it dramatically slashed the wholesale rates network owners can charge others to roam on their networks, and it gave Rogers, Bell and Telus a month to come up with new skinny wireless data plans for Canadians.
While confirming that Wi-Fi first network operators can not roam on cellular networks and become full fledged resellers, and making no determinations on mandated MVNOs, the Commission decided instead to respond to the federal government’s request to re-examine its wholesale…
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GATINEAU – Late Thursday afternoon we’ll know whether or not Wi-Fi based service providers can roam onto cellular networks.
In a decision (CRTC 2017-56) on wholesale mobile wireless roaming service tariffs on March 1st of 2017, the CRTC excluded Wi-Fi providers from being able to access these rates in order to provide mobile services to Canadians beyond public Wi-Fi zones. Since they’re not facilities-based providers like the main mobile providers, they were excluded in the decision.
In June, however, the federal government asked the CRTC to re-examine that call, saying it wants to explore every option…
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TORONTO – Internet service providers of every size and shape (except one big one) have launched a new coalition to rally Ontarians to help them battle large proposed rate increases for utility pole attachments.
While some local hydro companies have been pushing rates far higher, the Ontario Energy Board wants to set a standard rate across the province of $52 per pole per year, far above the current rate of $22.35. The three largest utilities, Hydro One, Toronto Hydro and Hydro Ottawa, have already boosted their rates to $41, $42 and $53.
Such rate increases for pole attachments will only…
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FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION in Canada is booming. Profile 2017, the CMPA’s latest annual economic report, finds production volume in this country at an all-time high, reaching a total of $8.38 billion last year, and creating over 170,000 jobs. Canadian television content alone reached $2.99 billion in production volume and generated 61,200 jobs.
With few exceptions, production budgets are growing, distribution advances increasing, and foreign pre-sales are up. This tells us that Canadian content is seen as a smart investment and that our shows are more exportable than ever. On top of this, foreign location and…
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OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC is continuing in its efforts to stamp out spam after teaming up with agencies from six other countries to investigate over 900 suspect international websites.
The global initiative, conducted through the Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network (UCENet), targeted entities engaging in online marketing activities that could be considered illegitimate, non-compliant, unfair or fraudulent.
As part of that sweep, UCENet partners reviewed over 900 websites and examined more than 6,500 consumer complaints related to affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is a common business practice in electronic commerce where a company sells its products to consumers through third-party marketers (‘affiliates’) who…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has approved the sale of GameTV from Anthem Sports and Entertainment to Remuda Media Inc. for $6.5 million.
Remuda Media is jointly owned and controlled by Dean Langille, John Philips, 2078677 Alberta Ltd. (William Sawchyn) and 2225926 Ontario Ltd. (Bryan Woodruff), with each holding 25% of the shares.
According a CRTC letter to Anthem subsidiary Game TV Corp earlier this month, the transaction is valued at $6,500,000 for the purchase price and $25,291 for the net working capital that will be transferred at closing. The tangible benefits package of 10% of the transaction will be payable to…
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OTTAWA – Bell Media has officially petitioned the CRTC to grant it ownership and effective control of French-language specialty channels Historia and Séries+ after announcing plans to acquire them from Corus Entertainment.
Corus announced last October that it was selling the two channels to Bell Media for just over $200 million after first buying them for $277 million from Bell in 2014. (Ed note: an earlier version of this story misstated Corus' 2014 purchase price.)
According to Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2018-95, Bell has valued the transaction at $202,695,232 and has proposed a $20,269,523 tangible benefits package, representing 10% of the…
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