GATINEAU – Today, the CRTC announced changes to the proposed final terms and conditions for the mandated mandated wholesale roaming offered by Bell, Rogers and Telus.
The changes, once implemented and approved by the Commission, “will ensure that, among other things, the incumbents’ tariffs (i) reflect the policy established in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2015-177; (ii) define the scope of mandated wholesale roaming to avoid potential anti-competitive behaviour by the incumbents; (iii) recognize the principle that the incumbents are not required to provide access to their networks to service providers and their customers that do not qualify…
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GATINEAU – The CRTC today told Ice Wireless that allowing its Sugar Mobile customers to roam constantly on the Rogers Wireless network violates its roaming agreement and that it has 50 days to stop.
As Cartt.ca has reported, Ice had applied to the CRTC for relief against Rogers Communications after the national operator told Ice more than a year ago it was violating their agreement – and it would be terminating that contract, along with roaming service to Sugar customers.
Ice Wireless operates a mobile network that includes coverage in the three Canadian Territories and some…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC is seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations and the Television Broadcasting Regulations.
The Commission said Friday that the amendments seek to:
– provide terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) with greater flexibility in making their contributions to local expression and direct-to-home BDUs with the ability to claim an allowable contribution for locally relevant news programming;
– provide financial support to over-the-air television stations;
– reflect policy changes regarding the operation of community channels;
– streamline logging requirements for over-the-air television stations;
– eliminate the daily Canadian content requirement for over-the-air television stations;
– update language and references for consistency;…
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OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC has signed a memorandum of understanding with the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs to fight unsolicited commercial electronic messages (spam) and the threats they pose to citizens in both countries.
Canada and New Zealand are members of the Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network (UCENet), an international network of enforcement agencies responsible for spam and unsolicited communications.
This agreement, announced Thursday, say the two agencies pledge to share information and intelligence, where permitted by the laws of each jurisdiction, regarding spam.
“This agreement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to work closely with partners to fight unlawful communications and protect Canadians…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC is calling for comments as it prepares to undertake a review of the competitor quality of service (Q of S) regime.
The existing competitor Q of S regime has been in place since the Commission finalized the rate rebate plan (RRP) for competitors in 2005. Noting the number of changes to the telecommunications marketplace and to the Commission’s regulatory measures since then, the Commission said Thursday that it is seeking feedback on whether a competitor Q of S regime continues to be required and, if so, how it should be structured.
Interventions and comments should be submitted to…
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Minister Joly says "timing was right"
GATINEAU, QC – Canadian Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly is sharing some of the input she received during her recent consultations on Canadian Content in a Digital World.
Based on feedback collected by Ipsos via the online portal, in-person events, social media discussions and mail and e-mail submissions, What We Heard Across Canada: Canadian Culture in a Digital World, released Tuesday, identified the following eight key themes and messages heard during the consultation:
– Showcasing Canada’s cultural sector: increased support for production of Canadian content as well as sustained efforts on marketing and communication will help underscore…
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FORT WORTH, TX – Equestrian lifestyle channel Ride TV is gearing up to gallop on to Canadian television screens.
Sponsored by Telus, the service is set to be added to the list of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution in Canada later this week by the CRTC.
Available in high definition, Ride TV is devoted exclusively to the horse and rural living lifestyle. The channel is owned by Ride Television Network, a privately held corporation based in Fort Worth, and produces over 90% of its own content which includes live championship equestrian sports, children's programming, documentaries, and reality shows.
"This…
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SAINT-HYACINTHE, QC – Former CRTC commissioner Suzanne Lamarre has joined the law firm of Therrien Couture, based in their Saint- Hyacinthe offices.
Lamarre, who is also an engineer and a strategic advisor on regulatory and governmental matters, practices primarily in the areas of telecommunications, radiocommunication and broadcasting, as well as public international law as well as professional conduct and ethics, reads a statement from the firm.
Lamarre was Québec Commissioner at the CRTC from 2008 to 2013. Since December 2007, she has served as a member of the Disciplinary Council of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and has been a member…
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TORONTO – Rogers Media today told employees it will cease community cable TV production at its Toronto facility at 855 York Mills Road.
A total of 10 positions have been eliminated with the move and all programming produced there has been cancelled.
“While production from our York Mills facilities has stopped, we will continue to meet our CRTC commitments for local and access programming,” Rogers spokeswoman Michelle Lomack told Cartt.ca in an email late Thursday. “Toronto-focused content produced by local independent community producers such as our Mosaic line up, Hogtown Wrestling, Xs Network, Ryerson Rams Sports, and many more will continue…
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REGINA – The CRTC’s decision to overhaul what it means to provide a basic telecommunications service to Canadians has SaskTel CEO Ron Styles worried.
The Commission’s policy announcement, made December 21st, is too vague and leaves open the possibilities of higher telecom rates for rural customers, lower profits and decreased investment, said the CEO. For example, while the Commission has said the existing $100 million subsidy to help serve high cost rural areas will be rolled into a new fund aimed at getting 50 Mbps downstream and 10 Mbps upstream to all Canadians, no matter where…
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