By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Fresh off of finalizing a $600-million deal that would see the federal government purchase capacity from its constellation of low earth orbit satellites for broadband, Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg told the committee on industry Tuesday that there’s undeniable pressure on the company to deliver.
“We’re nine months behind where we wanted to be — Covid didn’t help for that,” Goldberg told the committee studying affordability and accessibility of telecommunications services. Goldberg was referring to build progress of its satellite fleet, which is set to deliver on the promise to provide capacity to all of…
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OTTAWA – Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains, tabled Bill C-11 this morning – the Canadian Privacy Protection Act to update and strengthen Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act legislation after 20 years.
In May the Canadian government had announced the launch of the Canadian Digital Charter and today’s legislation is an important part of this endeavor.
The Act proposes to:
increase control and transparency when Canadians’ personal information is handled by companies;
give Canadians the freedom to move their information from one organization to another in a secure manner;
ensure Canadians have the ability to demand that…
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TORONTO — International content producer, distributor and channel operator Blue Ant Media today announced two executive promotions. Sarah Etherden (pictured, left) is now the company’s vice-president of global communications and Craig Junner (right) is vice-president of programming for Canadian media.
“Sarah’s promotion reflects the significant role she has played in building the profile of Blue Ant Media’s distribution business, production companies and media brands globally, while also overseeing the company’s internal communications,” reads the company’s press release.
“Craig’s new position reflects his on-going leadership in overseeing all aspects of the content and programming strategy for Blue Ant Media’s eight linear Canadian…
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PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — Tech repair company uBreakiFix has opened a new store in Peterborough, Ont., offering repairs on smartphones, tablets, computers and other electronic devices.
Located at 550 Lansdowne St. W., the new repair shop (pictured) is owned by Zain Jaffery and Sabil Ur-Rehman, who hope to expand by opening more uBreakiFix locations in the surrounding regions in the future, says the company’s press release.
“Staying connected is critical right now and it’s rewarding to be part of something that makes that possible for those in our community,” said Jaffery, in the release. “Prior to opening our uBreakiFix in Peterborough,…
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NORTH BAY — Registration is now open for the next virtual installment of Canada’s Rural and Remote Broadband Conference (CRRBC), which will take place on Friday, November 27.
Presented as a one-day, dual-track conference, the online event will let attendees choose between live “Policy & Advocacy” or “Technical” tracks, and then view missed sessions at their convenience once the session recordings are posted.
Some of the panel discussion topics include:
The New Covid Reality – Technical and Policy Impacts on Rural Canada
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Part 2 – Becoming a Community ISP
International Community Models – Lessons…
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OTTAWA – The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) has hired Kevin Desjardins as its new president, effective immediately.
Desjardins had previously served in communications, members’ services and public affairs roles at the CAB from 2005 to 2007 and returns to the association after more than seven years at the Canadian Dental Association. He has previously also served at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and the Canadian Conference of the Arts. He also served for six years on the board of directors of the Government Relations Institute of Canada.
“We are very happy to welcome Kevin back to the CAB and…
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Report due by February
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The federal government’s pledge to have wireless prices drop by 25% is expected to be studied during House of Commons hearings into accessibility and affordability of telecommunications services, starting next week.
The committee on industry will begin the proceedings on Tuesday with witnesses Telesat and Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX). Both satellite companies made news over the past two weeks as they push low earth orbit satellites to colve rural broadband coverage. The former this week formalized a $600-million agreement for the federal government to purchase satellite capacity to serve…
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GATINEAU – The CRTC today launched its review into its policies governing the traditional radio sectors and is asking Canadians for their thoughts on the AM/FM slice of electronic media.
It wants to hear about Canadians’ “listening habits, behaviours and views,” says today’s press release.
“This information will help the CRTC better understand how the radio industry can meet the needs and interests of Canadians in both official languages. It will also help the CRTC determine how best to update its regulations to ensure Canada’s commercial radio industry remains competitive in a digital environment.”
Canadians are asked to complete an online…
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VANCOUVER – Telus announced the launch of Telus Agriculture today, a new business unit with which the company hopes to “digitally transform the global food system.”
The company has purchased a number of companies whose assets will give Telus a full suite of technology solutions which can “increase efficiency, production, and yields, delivering better food outcomes for businesses and the end consumer,” reads its press release.
Telus’s agriculture acquisitions (and what they do) include:
AFS Technologies – Florida, USA – Comprised of AFS, Exceedra and Ignition. Supply chain management, and sales and distribution
AGIntegrated – Pennsylvania, USA – Seamless API integration
…
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CHATHAM, Ont. — In a series of tweets today, author and former journalist Peter Nowak revealed he started a new job today as TekSavvy’s vice-president of insight and engagement.
“Firstly, I’m super jazzed to be taking on this newly created role. The specifics of my job will coalesce as I learn the biz in-depth, but broadly, I’m going to be working toward getting better internet services for all Canadians,” Nowak tweeted.
“That’s what I’m most excited about – after so many years of writing about how crappy and/or expensive telecom services are in Canada, now I’m finally going to have…
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