OTTAWA – The CRTC received only 30 consumer complaints regarding bandwidth throttling by their Internet service providers (ISPs) in 2016, down from 42 last year.
In its latest status report released Wednesday, the Commission said that it received 7 complaints regarding Internet Traffic Management Practices (ITMPs) in the fourth quarter between October 1 and December 31, 2015. Nine complaints were received in both the first and second quarter of this year, with six recorded in the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.
There are nine active complaints as of June 30, and 10 complaints were closed this quarter. Closed complaints include those where CRTC…
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MONTREAL – Videotron added two more music streaming services to its controversial Unlimited Music service.
The company said Tuesday that Napster and global music and entertainment platform Tidal have joined Unlimited Music, bringing the total number of supported apps to 17.
Unlimited Music, which allows Videotron Mobile customers to stream music using popular music apps without using up any of their data plan, prompted the CRTC’s recent hearing into differential pricing practices related to Internet and wireless data plans. A decision on that is expected in the first quarter of 2017.
“These additions to Unlimited Music will allow music-lovers to enjoy their…
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TORONTO – Rogers Communications has asked the CRTC to step in to an alleged case of “traffic pumping” that it says could put nationwide flat rate calling plans at risk.
Traffic pumping, also known as “access stimulation” or “traffic stimulation”, is the name given to a mechanism for local exchange carriers to profit from increasing the volume of incoming traffic for termination on their local exchange network. Typically, the arrangement involves a local exchange in a high cost area where call termination rates are higher than the norm. The local exchange carrier encourages the location of in-bound calling services in its…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has ordered Telus to add 9-1-1 emergency service to its nomadic local VoIP service Telus Extend by the end of the year.
Telus Extend is a downloadable mobile application available to Telus mobility customers that allows them to use their Telus Mobility telephone number to make/receive calls or text messages over Wi-Fi. The service, launched in 2014, is available by invitation only to select customers with Android and iOS devices.
In a letter to the company’s telecom policy and chief regulatory legal counsel Stephen Schmidt, the Commission directed Telus to bring itself into compliance with the nomadic local VoIP…
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TORONTO – Beanfield Metroconnect says that the new pick and pay regime will benefit some, but not all of its TV customers.
In a blog post, the Toronto-based independent telco said that its “minimalist” TV customers will most likely be able to save money on their monthly bills, but that “the specialty channel enthusiast” may not.
Noting that some TV channels have folded, while others have been sold off or rebranded, the post adds that “… each channel is going to have to find its own audience and can’t depend on being forced upon the consumer with the previous restrictive…
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GATINEAU – Using a rear-view mirror approach when it comes to spending requirements will only hobble Canadian broadcasters in an environment of global competition, the three major English-language broadcasters told the CRTC on Thursday.
When facing viewership competition from global players who have no mandated Cancon spend, compared to the various, expensive regulatory commitments met by licenced domestic broadcasters, the industry needs far more flexibility to create compelling programming. Bell Media strongly argued this on the final day of the TV broadcast license renewal hearing for the big three Canadian broadcasters, which of course also includes Corus Entertainment and Rogers…
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MONTREAL – Videotron took the rather bold step of announcing the addition of Apple Music to its controversial Unlimited Music service, while it awaits the CRTC’s ruling on differential pricing practices (DPP).
The service, which exempts music streaming services like Google Play, Stingray and Spotify from data caps under certain mobile plans, was the catalyst for the CRTC’s recent hearing into differential pricing practices related to Internet and wireless data plans. A decision on that is expected in the first quarter of 2017.
Videotron said Thursday that it is working to expand the list of partners, which currently stands at 15,…
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GATINEAU – CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais took a moment to herald the arrival of pick-and-pay Thursday morning , calling it “the last step” in the implementation of new TV choices stemming from the Commission’s Let’s Talk TV consultation.
He also publicized some new online resources available to help Canadians shop around for the TV services that best meet their individual needs and budgets. They include:
– a checklist to assist with the process;
– a description of TV service provider options, including online options;
– a list of service providers in their area, and
– tips on negotiating the best…
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TORONTO and – Canadians who are members of the deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired (DHHSI) community are now one step closer to using the Text with 9-1-1 service (T9-1-1) in every region of the country.
The service, which began rolling out in March 2014, is now available to most Canadians, including in many parts of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, and province-wide in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan. Some 9-1-1 call centres are still making the necessary upgrades to their systems and will launch the T9-1-1 service in the coming months.
Users…
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GATINEAU – The large broadcasters’ current Canadian Programming Expenditure (CPE) and Programs of National Interest (PNI) proposals are wholly inadequate, according to the creatives representing actors, performers, writers and directors.
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) said in its appearance before the CRTC’s large English-language broadcasters’ licence renewal hearing on Wednesday the impact of the proposals would be “devastating” on Canadian programming and the Canadian broadcasting system because they would result in a reduction of nearly $100 million in spending over the next licence term.
“In our view, this would be regressive, contrary to the Commission’s objective…
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