TORONTO – Tuesday marked the 10th anniversary of the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada (MGFC).
Incorporated in 2009, MGFC was established by key members of Canada's wireless industry, working in partnership with the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), to create a means through which Canadians could make donations to registered charities through their mobile device.
This is why Canadians can, for example, text $10 to a certain number to help raise money for natural disasters or other needs and have it tacked onto their wireless bill.
"Canadians are generous and supportive of worthy causes, and they also embrace technology. Merging philanthropy with…
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Flexible storytelling is the key to the future
TORONTO – Overall, Canadians are spending less time watching video content than in 2018, but 18-to-34 year-olds increased their overall viewing, while those 35 and over have seen a decrease in viewing hours, according to new research from CTAM Canada.
Further, 50% of Canadians are using an OTT (over-the-top) service to supplement a traditional TV subscription. They want more content, but find it difficult to locate it all with a traditional TV subscription – and they believe traditional TV is too costly. Subscribers to OTT report paying around $20 a month whereas those…
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VANCOUVER – Telus and edge computing provider MobiledgeX announced today the MobiledgeX Early Access Program will soon open in Canada.
A first for North America, the program will allow developers to “build, experiment, and test applications and experiences using next-generation, low-latency edge computing powered by MobiledgeX,” powered by the Telus network, reads the announcement.
Edge computing hosts applications and content across operator networks at key locations that are closer to the user, says the release. This means developers don’t have to rely on the cloud – which could be countries away. “Combined with future 5G infrastructure that also lowers latency…
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OTTAWA – Amid new portfolio names and no major change to Navdeep Bains’ duties, one big surprise in the unveiling of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new post-election cabinet on Wednesday was the appointment of well-known Quebec environmentalist, anti-pipeline activist and month-old Member of Parliament Steven Guilbeault (right), as – the new minister of Canadian Heritage.
However, OUTtv CEO Brad Danks told Cartt.ca he is “cautiously optimistic” that Guilbeault’s background as a human-rights activist and reputation of being forward-thinking will help the government undertake a “complete overhaul of the broadcasting system” following the release of recommendations early next year by…
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THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT the Canadian wireless industry and the merits (or perils) of new competition from Mobile Virtual Network Operators can leave your head spinning. The number of price comparisons and examples, local or international, can be so disorienting you start confusing up from down, the high-end of the market from people on a budget and Bay St. from Parkdale.
This Financial Post opinion piece, for example, calls affordability an ‘alleged’ problem. While it was focused on poking holes in the numbers provided by Timothy Denton in an earlier article, it fails…
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TORONTO – Canadian media company Channel Zero today announced the launch of Channel Zero Studios.
The company’s newest division will develop and produce original scripted content for all platforms and Jennifer Chen (pictured), formerly the company’s vice-president of programming, will lead it as head of studios and VP of content.
Building on the company’s partnership with Group M’s Motion Content Group (which was launched in 2018), Channel Zero Studios “will collaborate with both domestic and international partners to create compelling global content,” says the press release.
Channel Zero Studios expects to be in production on its first series…
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TORONTO – The annual Women in Communications and Technology awards honour women, men and companies who have demonstrated outstanding achievements, leadership and support for the advancement of women in the digital economy.
Deserving individuals or forward-thinking companies who have made a difference in Canada’s digital economy can be nominated for a WCT Leadership Excellence Award.
Nominations can be submitted online before December 14, 2019.
The awards are WCT Woman of the Year, Company of the Year and the Leadership Excellence Award.
The achievements of individuals who have distinguished themselves as leaders and contributed to the industry through their accomplishments can also be…
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GATINEAU – When Corus Entertainment asked the CRTC to amend its conditions of licence so the big broadcaster could delay some Canadian programming expenditures (CPEs) due to unforeseen increases in its revenues, few expected the company to receive much sympathy within the broadcasting industry.
After reviewing most of the interventions it has become clear that they have no sympathy from industry players.
For example, The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) challenges Corus’ arguments, saying the company “argues that this ‘dramatic’ spike in its CPE requirements will leave it in a more vulnerable financial position for two reasons. Firstly,…
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TORONTO — Speaking at last week’s annual OAB Connection conference — where the theme was “Futureproofing Broadcasting” — the CRTC’s Ontario commissioner, Monique Lafontaine, urged attendees to work with the regulator to find innovative and collaborative ways to tackle the complex issues facing the industry and to ensure its future success.
“Indeed, broadcasters and regulators face difficult challenges. Meeting these challenges — to ensure the futureproofing of our system — requires innovation, collaboration and investment in our work force,” Lafontaine (pictured) said. “The CRTC is keen to work with broadcasters and industry stakeholders. I urge all of you and your…
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GATINEAU – Canada’s major cable carriers (Eastlink, Cogeco, Rogers, Shaw and Videotron) Wednesday made the point to federal cabinet that all the CRTC decision on new third party internet access aggregated wholesale rates does is disincentivize needed investment in high-speed networks, which is contrary to public interest.
November 13th was the deadline to file petitions to Cabinet (technically to the Governor-in-Council with cabinet) on the August CRTC decision to set lower final rates for TPIA – and force the incumbents to pay three years of retroactive overpayments to independent ISP resellers – and as the cable carriers argue, “by reducing…
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