OTTAWA-GATINEAU, WASHINGTON – The CRTC and FTC are closing down a total of seven alleged tech support scams based mostly in India that tricked tens of thousands into paying from $49 to $450 for the removal of bogus viruses and spyware by allowing the scammers to remotely access their computers.
The CRTC is demanding Pecon Software Limited and Avaneesh Software Private Limited cease their current telemarketing practices and pay fines of $495,000 and $12,000 respectively for breaking Canada's telemarketing rules.
The CRTC charges these companies were making unsolicited telemarketing calls to Canadians who had…
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OTTAWA – It may not have all the drama of the Obama vs Romney debate, but new CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais’ faceoff Thursday afternoon before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage promises to be far more informative. The committee is charged with examining the role and future mandate of the CRTC.
It will be a reversal of fortune for Chairman Blais who will be answering, not asking, the questions when he meets with MPs for the first time since he took over as head of the CRTC this past June. The meeting gets under way tomorrow afternoon…
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WHILE CONCEDING THAT THE various accusations and complaints levelled against it over the past weeks and months show a high level of “competitive and financial tension” evident in the Canadian TV business nowadays, Bell Canada told the CRTC Friday that this tension should not impact the approval of its purchase of Astral Media.
In its final written reply to the CRTC hearing into the purchase, Bell Canada insisted its decision to buy Astral Media and all of its radio stations, TV properties and other assets is in the public interest and that only by owning the…
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SAINT JOHN – The Canadian Media Guild (CMG) is urging the CRTC to impose local and news programming conditions on the license renewals for Big John FM and CFBC in Saint John owned by Halifax-based MBS Radio.
In its submission to the Commission it writes that it has serious concerns about MBS Radio's commitment to the community of Saint John whose local radio staff have been on strike since June 25.
"As we've said from the beginning, our fight on the picket line is really about the survival of local radio, and serving the…
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OTTAWA – After years of delay, will this be the venue where the government finally provides details about its digital economy blueprint for the country? Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), will provide the closing keynote address at the 2012 International Institute of Communications (IIC) Canada Conference, Innovation, Investment and Infrastructure, on October 30th.
In late August Paradis spoke at the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto where he once again promoted the importance of the digital economy, but provided scant details on what the government’s upcoming digital economy strategy will…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has pulled the chair from “The Entertainment Desk” in denying Rogers Communications bid to launch a Category B entertainment news channel. The ruling comes even though the Commission received no interventions, not even from E! the closest potential competitor owned by BCE.
Rogers applied for a broadcasting licence to operate a national, English-language niche specialty Category B service that would be devoted to entertainment news and the entertainment industry back in February.
In its submission, Rogers contended that its proposed channel would not directly compete with E! since that service…
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YELLOWKNIFE – Embattled telecom Northwestel has announced a new partnership with Aurora Communications of Norman Wells to create a new business that will focus on providing voice and data solutions for the exploration industry. Borealis Communications will operate in the Tulita District of the Northwest Territories.
"Northwestel has enjoyed great success with partnerships for over 20 years," said Paul Flaherty, Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer. “Bringing our expertise in telecommunications to specific markets identified by partners like Aurora Communications has worked very well for all parties involved, especially northern customers. Based on the continued growth in…
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GATINEAU – The CRTC has told Canada’s wireless companies that their collective inaction when it comes to the loss or theft of customer handsets – and the personal data those mobiles contain – will not be tolerated.
Back in the summer, the Commission sent a letter to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association asking what the group and its members (which include all Canadian wireless carriers, big and small) are doing to keep track of lost or stolen mobile phones and help their customers who are impacted. In most other jurisdictions around the world, a central database has been created so…
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OTTAWA-GATINEAU – To remedy a shortage of telephone numbers in the provinces of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island the CRTC is adding a 782 area code to areas that are currently served by area code 902. The CRTC will also introduce 10-digit dialing in both provinces so that all local calls are routed to the correct area code.
Beginning November 30, 2014, customers requesting a new telephone number could be given a number starting with area code 782. Existing customers will keep area code 902 and their current telephone number.
The move to…
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OTTAWA – Jean-Pierre Blais, the newly appointed Chairman of CRTC will speak the Public Interest Advocacy Centre`s (PIAC) Annual Dinner 2012 on November 30 in Ottawa. Blais will be presenting his vision for the CRTC’s approach to consumer protection in telecommunications and broadcasting, as well as introducing Barbara Motzney, the CRTC’s new Chief Consumer Officer.
Attendees will also hear from PIAC about its plans for the future, including its affordable and accessible communications campaign to ensure high quality telecommunications and broadcasting services for all consumers. PIAC will also recognize Michael Janigan for his many years as…
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