By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The large telecommunications companies are telling the CRTC that it’s a bad idea to temporarily mandate access to last mile fibre under the current regime because there isn’t evidence of a need for it, it doesn’t take into consideration areas that still don’t have completed fibre infrastructure, and the process will preempt the review of the wholesale internet framework.
The CRTC said in March it is of the preliminary view that fibre-to-the-premises access under the aggregated regime should be mandated, and launched an expedited proceeding for interim access until it completes its review of the…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC is requesting information surrounding the status of negotiations for access to the incumbents’ wireless networks by regional service providers.
In a letter dated June 1, the CRTC said it wants Rogers, Bell, Telus, and SaskTel and the regional players to provide it with status updates on June 8, July 7, and August 7 about access to the incumbent networks by mobile virtual network operators run by the regional providers.
It is requesting that the incumbents provide a list of agreements that are currently in place, a list of regional providers that have made requests to begin negotiations…
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By Connie Thiessen
Eastlink cable subscribers soon won’t be able to watch HGTV Canada, W Network, and Showcase, among 34 other channels on the service, as the telecom provider says it’s been unable to reach a carriage agreement with Corus Entertainment.
“We worked very hard to reach an agreement with Corus that would not impact the availability of these channels. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach such an agreement, which means we have to remove these channels from our lineup as of June 27,” Jill Laing, Eastlink’s director of public affairs, told Broadcast Dialogue.
Eastlink, which declined to say whether any discussions…
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They warn the CRTC about competitive impact of Freedom sale to Videotron
OTTAWA – The country’s largest telecoms are asking the CRTC not to forcibly allow the large enterprise and internet of things device markets to roam on its wireless networks.
The CRTC launched a proceeding in March to explore whether mobile virtual network operators mandated under the April 2021 MVNO framework should also be able to leverage the incumbents’ wireless networks to serve those other markets. It held a preliminary view that the consumer retail markets that are currently regulated are similar to the enterprise (more than…
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HALIFAX – Eastlink and Ericsson are extending by three years their existing 10-year partnership to build out the telecom’s 5G mobile network.
The extension is intended to accelerate the mobile network and 5G deployment. Eastlink said in a press release that the Swedish telecom equipment maker is preparing to supply the telecom with radios compatible with 3.5 GHz spectrum – a key spectrum band for 5G – and enhanced core network support for voice and data.
Eastlink launched its 5G network with Ericsson’s support last March and has been expanding its mobile services in recent…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association is launching Wednesday a rebranding to move away from its exclusive focus on the wireless industry.
The Canadian Telecommunications Association, as it is now called, reflects the association’s “expanded focus on both wireline and wireless telecommunications,” according to a release provided exclusively to Cartt. “The new brand represents the latest chapter in the association’s nearly 50-year history.”
The association will formally announce the news later this morning.
“New technologies and consumer demands have blurred the lines between the capabilities and use of wired and wireless telecommunications,” said a blog post…
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BATHURST, N.B. – Eastlink said Friday that it has completed its mobile network expansion and launched services in Bathurst, New Brunswick.
The expansion is part of a more than $26-million network expansion in the province, which included Miramichi in December.
“We’re very proud to be further expanding our mobile network and service in northern New Brunswick,” CEO Jeff Gillham said in a press release. “Our network sites are built and our store is ready to welcome customers with an interactive, personalized experience.”
The company said it has invested more than $40 million to bring its mobile…
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The regulator has been urged not to rely on carrier negotiations for roaming rates
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC has dismissed an application by Globalive that sought a commission review of wholesale roaming rates in general and a roaming agreement between Rogers and Videotron in particular, citing an existing application before the regulator addressing similar issues.
Globalive filed the Part 1 application late last month, which requested the CRTC make interim the current wholesale roaming rates, require the national carriers to file updated studies supporting new rates, and to open an investigation into Rogers’s proposed roaming agreement…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Cabinet will not send back a decision by the CRTC that declined to force Eastlink to relocate an internet access point in Nova Scotia, according to an order in council last week.
City Wide Communications filed a review and vary application with the CRTC and a petition to cabinet last March challenging a decision that denied its application in 2020 alleging Eastlink misrepresented that its rural Pennant Point interconnection centre was carrier-neutral and served by competitive transport facilities when the CRTC approved it in 2016. City Wide said the connection point increased its transport costs and…
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Bell said there was no consultation on the need for such requirements
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Some of the country’s major telecommunications companies are telling the CRTC that the interim notification requirements mandated by the regulator earlier this month for major network outages are unnecessary, citing an agreement signed last year by a dozen telecoms to notify relevant authorities in cases of such service disruptions.
The CRTC temporarily ordered the telecoms to notify the CRTC within two hours of a major network outage starting on March 8 until the regulator makes a decision on the permanency of such…
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