Bell says market has ‘never been more competitive’
By Ahmad Hathout
Telus said Wednesday that it should be allowed to use the wholesale internet regime outside of its operating territory, but noted that an unfettered framework without limits will create a disincentive to invest in networks.
Telus took issue Wednesday with being labelled a national “incumbent” because it mainly operates in the west and has few facilities east of its home court, including some in Quebec.
The telco argued that it be given access to the wholesale regime in areas outside of its operating territory because that would boost competition. In contrast, it…
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In late January, the CRTC shot a letter to Telus’s vice-president of telecom policy and chief regulatory legal counsel, Stephen Schmidt, requesting detailed information about the Vancouver-based telecom provider’s proposed March 8 disconnection of home telephone service in an area of Tranquille Valley near Kamloops, B.C.
Having become aware of Telus’s intention to disconnect the service, CRTC staff “is concerned that TELUS’ plans could jeopardize access to telephone services in the Tranquille Valley, and perhaps elsewhere,” the letter said.
“Without reliable alternatives, Canadians in this area would lack access to public safety services…
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The CRTC last week said in a letter to several Canadian wireless ISPs (WISPs) that the commission’s joint study with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) tracking fixed wireless internet performance must be completed by the end of March and no extensions are possible.
The commission has previously asked the WISPs to participate in the study — the third phase of its Measuring Broadband Canada (MBC) project — which aims to better understand how Canadians subscribing to fixed wireless internet services with the federal objective speeds of 50 Mbps download and…
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The CRTC last week informed TerreStar via letter that the commission was denying the Montreal-based mobile satellite and cell services provider’s request for a stay of its June 2023 decision not to allow the company to reduce its regulatory fee obligations by deducting its spectrum leasing revenues.
TerreStar has argued the revenues generated from the sale or leasing of spectrum did not qualify as a telecommunications-related expense, which would have reduced its obligation to the National Contribution Fund (NCF), which is used to fund broadband infrastructure in Canada.
TerreStar filed a Continue Reading
Bell cutting investments does not constitute irreparable harm, court said
By Ahmad Hathout
The Federal Court of Appeal will hear Bell’s arguments challenging a decision by the CRTC to allow competitors to ride on its last mile fibre network, but stopped short of immediately suspending that decision until it deliberates on the matter because it is not convinced that the telco will suffer irreparable harm if a stay is not granted.
The CRTC ordered in November that Bell and Telus provide on a temporary basis access within six months to their last mile fibre facilities in Ontario and Quebec on an aggregated…
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CRTC said it is ‘concerned’ about job losses
By Ahmad Hathout
Citing regulatory concerns, Bell announced Thursday another round of job cuts and radio station sales.
The telecom is cutting 4,800 positions across the company, representing 9 per cent of its workforce – its largest in nearly 30 years – while also divesting 45 of its 103 radio stations in regional markets to seven buyers.
Vista Radio is buying 16 FM and five AM stations in British Columbia, Arsenal Media is buying seven FM stations in Quebec, Maritime Broadcasting System Ltd. Is buying five FM stations in Atlantic Canada, and Whiteoaks Communications…
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By Ahmad Hathout
Independent internet service provider CIK Telecom filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC earlier this month requesting that it reduce the interim rates for aggregated last mile fibre access and to clarify that the large telecoms cannot access the regime.
The telecom claims that the rates set by the regulator for interim access to Bell and Telus facilities going to the premises in Ontario and Quebec are still higher than what those telcos charge in the market, meaning third parties cannot be competitive.
It’s an argument that has been made by other telecoms, including those under Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
The CRTC accepted late last month a request by Quebecor for the regulator to determine a rate for its access to Telus’s wireless network.
The carriers had tried to come to a commercial agreement and a commission-staff-assisted mediation on the rate for access through the mobile virtual network operator framework but could not come to amicable terms.
The regulator will now choose which rate – Quebecor’s or Telus’s – is most appropriate for that access, which will allow the Montreal-based telecom to further expand into new territory.
Telus had opposed going to final offer arbitration (FOA) because the parties were…
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The Opportunity
Knowledge Network, British Columbia’s Public Broadcaster is seeking a Director of Broadcast Engineering & Information Technology to lead the technical design, management and execution of our broadcast television channel, our corporate IT infrastructure and to provide support for the operation of our streaming platforms.
Knowledge Network provides a distinct television and streaming service for British Columbians. The Knowledge brand is unique – we are not selling a product but providing a service that embodies the values of community, curiosity and understanding. Our broadcast engineering and IT team provides the technological leadership and management for a linear television channel, two…
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By Ahmad Hathout
Bell has filed a petition to cabinet asking for it to rescind a decision by the CRTC that mandated, on an interim basis, access to its last mile fibre facilities on an aggregated basis.
The CRTC mandated in November that Bell and Telus provide access in Ontario and Quebec to their last mile fibre network within a six-month period under the aggregated regime, which allows competitors to bundle the telcos’ traffic transport mile. The decision is interim until the CRTC makes a final decision on that regime at the conclusion of its wholesale internet review.
Bell, which is already…
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