By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – A technical working group with members from the country’s major telecommunications companies have this month recommended a bevy of changes to enhance network reliability, including enhanced criminal penalties in cases of negligent damage to critical network infrastructure, subsidizing certain infrastructure in areas with little coverage, and expanding the CRTC’s authority over municipal infrastructure.
The 27-page report from the Canadian Telecommunications Network Resiliency Working Group, released this month, packs a list consisting of general recommendations for network resiliency and asks of the federal government.
“To strengthen efforts to improve the resiliency of Canada’s telecommunications networks, the…
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Mobile wireless prices declined 2.6 per cent on average compared to 2021: Wall study
By Ahmad Hathout
The country’s lowest-priced mobile wireless plans in 2022 came from mobile virtual network operators, flanker brands of the incumbents or regional providers, which contributed to a 2.6 per cent decrease in that segment’s pricing compared to 2021, according to a new Innovation Canada price study released Friday.
The new study, which is based on eight talk and data service baskets, found the average MVNO price for unlimited talk and 2-4 GB of data, 5-6 GB of data, and 7-9 GB of data “is consistently lower…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – An application by Bell requesting the CRTC stop collecting money for the Broadband Fund until it delivers money already collected is drawing support from other providers.
The Part 1 application, filed by the telco in December, requested that the CRTC refund existing amounts not distributed and pause its intended collection of $150 million from the internet service providers in 2023 until it conducts the preplanned policy review in year three of the $750-million fund this year.
The fund, which is used to get high-speed internet to underserved areas, collects the money from the providers…
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OTTAWA – In light of new information, the CRTC said Monday it is opening another round of comments for a proceeding initiated by some broadcast distributors seeking to increase the price of the skinny basic packages with the rate of inflation.
When the regulator first ordered the broadcasters in 2015 to have a basic television package at no more than $25 per month, it declined to consider at the time but left open the possibility for a future review for a price adjustment to scale with inflation.
In September, the commission sought comment on a January 2022 application by Bell, Cogeco,…
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MINDEMOYA, ON — Eastlink said today that its Mindemoya fibre project has started connecting residents to high-speed internet.
“We’re very happy with our progress as we near completion of our fibre network build,” said Louigi Salvati, Eastlink director of sales and marketing for Ontario, in a press release today. “This improvement in connectivity will not only help strengthen the local economy but it will also help the community’s ability to retain and attract people who want to live and work here.”
The company said it is expecting to complete the project by this spring.
The company announced a progress…
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OTTAWA — Former CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein was appointed last week to the Order of Canada, announced the Governor General of Canada.
He was recognized for “his distinguished and multifaceted career in law and federal public service,” which includes being the chair of the CRTC from 2007 to 2012.
He is listed on his LinkedIn page as an arbitrator for mediation firm JAMS.
A lawyer by training, von Finckenstein was a judge on the Federal Court from 2003 to 2007, commissioner of competition from 1997 to 2003, and before that assistant deputy attorney general in the Justice Department,…
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Regional carriers say no conflict with ISED’s spectrum licensing rules
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC’s decision last spring to mandate seamless roaming between networks should be struck down because the technical configurations of such a requirement falls exclusively in the domain of the Radiocommunications Act administered by Innovation Canada (ISED), the large telecoms argued today.
The regulator’s April 2021 decision, which broadly mandated wholesale access by regional players to the large wireless networks, also included the requirement that the host network ensure that calls are not dropped when the user on one network is switched to another when roaming. It…
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MIRAMICHI, N.B. — Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink today announced it has officially launched its mobile service in Miramichi, as part of its $26-plus million mobile network expansion in northern New Brunswick.
Halifax-based Eastlink held an official ribbon cutting at its new retail location in Miramichi. In attendance (pictured left to right) were Eastlink CEO Jeff Gillham, Eastlink Vice-Chair Lee Bragg and Miramichi Mayor Adam Lordon.
“We’re thrilled to bring our mobile service and new store to the people of Miramichi,” Gillham said in a press release. “Our teams have been working hard for the…
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OTTAWA — The CRTC yesterday denied an application by City Wide Communications to reverse a decision by the commission that declined to force Eastlink to move its point of interconnection (POI) from Pennant Point to a core location in Halifax.
City Wide had filed the original Part 1 application back in May 2020 after the Dartmouth-based telecom alleged that Eastlink misrepresented that the rural Pennant Point POI was carrier-neutral and served by competitive transport facilities when the CRTC approved Eastlink’s request in 2016. City Wide has said the Pennant Point POI has increased its transport costs because its further…
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Consultation issues have been prevalent over the years
By Ahmad Hathout
SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C. – Innovation Canada rejected a challenge earlier this year to a tower build by Rogers Communications in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, after residents complained about the structure and the local land trust committee initially rescinded approval for it. The latest challenge has again put the spotlight on challenges to telecom builds.
On May 31, 2021, Rogers completed a public consultation process for the proposed tower build on the island, with approval from the Salt Spring Island Land Trust Committee (SSLTC) in August of that year. But…
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