By Denis Carmel
GATINEAU – In the lengthy CRTC process reviewing its wireless policies, one player played an unusually central role.
Since it had no economic interest and because of its professed expertise, the Competition Bureau (which falls under the purview of the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development) convinced the Commission to be allowed special access to confidential company data, despite strenuous objections, all of which we have reported on previously.
So, when the Bureau admitted it made a mistake in its final comments and issued corrections, Bell Canada jumped on it and requested that…
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By Greg O’Brien
OTTAWA – Even though Parliament was prorogued this week, the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology, which has been studying the influx of fraud calls in Canada, including robocalls, ghost calls, and spam calls, all of which have increased during the Covid-19 crisis, had just enough time to send Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains a letter.
In that letter, the committee told the minister a full report on what it found this spring will be coming, but in the meantime, he and the CRTC need to take more immediate action. The RCMP…
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MISSISSAUGA and CALGARY — Organizers of the Canadian CommTech Shows and Seminars say they will provide hybrid events this year, allowing for attendees to participate both in-person or virtually.
“With safety in mind, changes are being made to the layout of the show and access to information. We know how important B2B events are to our industry, and we will do our utmost best to provide you with a safe environment to meet with exhibitors and attendees, while providing everyone the same show that the industry has made #1 in Canada for 15 years,” reads the emailed information update.
The CommTech…
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OTTAWA — Video production solution provider Ross Video today announced company founder John Ross will be awarded Honorary Membership of SMPTE (the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) at the SMPTE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, which is being held as a virtual event this year in November.
Honorary Membership is the society’s highest accolade, which recognizes individuals who have performed distinguished service in the advancement of engineering in motion pictures, television or the allied arts and sciences. Ross is being recognized for a lifetime of advancing the state of the art in television engineering, says an SMPTE news…
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As much as $10 a month more
CHATHAM and LONDON – Two independent ISPs announced this week retail rates are on their way up, thanks to the direction the federal government gave the CRTC on Saturday.
The Governor-on-Council issued an order on Saturday which did not strike down last August’s Commission decision that set new wholesale rates incumbents were to charge broadband resellers like TekSavvy and Start.ca, as well as demanding retroactive payments to the independents, but did say federal cabinet didn’t like those rates “in all instances.” The order effectively told the CRTC to come up with…
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TORONTO — The Canada Media Fund (CMF) announced Tuesday the Encore+ YouTube channel showcasing iconic Canadian TV shows and movies has reached two milestones — 100,000 subscribers and 25 million views.
Launched in November 2017, Encore+ was created in partnership with YouTube Canada and Canada’s film and television producers, distributors, broadcasters, unions, guilds and industry associations. Free to view at any time and on any screen, Encore+ features more than 2,000 acclaimed Canadian feature films, documentaries and television shows in English, French and by Indigenous creators.
“With the world increasingly watching from home, Encore+ has become a unique destination for audiences…
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GATINEAU — The CRTC is putting on hold a recent application by Rogers asking the Commission to provide relief in an ongoing dispute with Bell over access to utility poles in New Brunswick owned by NB Power because the larger issue of joint-use pole arrangements is likely to be addressed during another proceeding already underway, the Commission said in a recent letter.
The issue of access to poles and other infrastructure is an age-old issue and continues to be a major challenge for the industry and will only grow when 5G gains real traction when it is rolled out…
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MONTREAL — Telefilm Canada today provided an update regarding data collection efforts related to its funding programs as part of its commitment to an equitable and representative screen-based industry.
Building on the corporate data collection methods implemented during the first phase of the federal government’s Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund, beginning today Telefilm will also collect additional data on the corporate control of applicants and on key creatives (director, writer and producer), says Telefilm’s industry advisory.
With regard to corporate data collection, each applicant company will be able to self-identify as being majority-owned and controlled by individuals who self-identify as one or…
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By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – At 9 a.m. Saturday, the federal government released its ruling on the cabinet appeal of the CRTC’s August 15, 2019 decision on new wholesale rates third party internet access ISPs must pay incumbent network operators.
It required a few readings to understand.
A year ago today, the CRTC issued an order setting the final rates for wholesale internet access (including over $300 million in retroactive payments) and the large ISPs did not like it one bit. They appealed it to cabinet, consistent with section 12 of the Telecommunications Act. The Act also says that Cabinet…
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TORONTO — The Canadian Telecom Summit will be a digital-only event this year and has been re-rescheduled for November 17-19, 2020.
Traditionally held in June, the in-person conference was postponed until September, due to Covid-19 and restrictions on public gatherings. However, in an email, organizers have announced a virtual Canadian Telecom Summit will now take place in November.
“Given the limitations on indoor gatherings proposed by governments across Canada, The Canadian Telecom Summit team has created a brand-new Virtual Event Platform. Safety is top priority for our partners, delegates, and staff, while maintaining connections, networking, and bringing the industry together,” reads…
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