Search Results for: industry canada

Cable / Telecom News

Wireless Code “will” take effect Dec. 2, but CRTC expects carriers “should” implement it sooner

OTTAWA – While the CRTC’s recently introduced Wireless Code states that it will apply to new wireless contracts beginning December 2, 2013, it now appears the Commission expects Canada’s wireless carriers to begin operating by the spirit of the code well before that date. “The six month transition period was established to allow the industry to adjust its business practices to bring them into line with the Code. Carriers are free to implement any part or parts of the Code prior to the 2 December 2013 implementation date,” the CRTC wrote in a letter… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

WIRELESS: Feds very unlikely to spin a silk purse from this sow’s ear

TORONTO – The realities of the wireless market in Canada and globally continue to tell most people that no matter what the federal government tries or what anyone says, chances are slim that a fourth viable wireless player in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario will find success. Add BMO Capital Markets telecom, cable and media analyst Tim Casey to the chorus of those who believe the federal government has muddled and mishandled the wireless file and that there doesn’t seem to be a way forward to its stated political goals. Noting that Industry Minister Christian Paradis has been on record several… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

20th anniversary of CCSA Connect is all about community; Award submissions due this Friday

QUISPAMSIS, N.B. – This year’s Canadian Cable Systems Alliance annual general meeting and Connect conference will be the 20th year the group gathers for networking, knowledge and fun. “It really is the only opportunity everybody has to get together anymore,” said CCSA president and CEO Alyson Townsend. The 2013 conference will take place September 22-24 at the Fairmont Mont Tremblant, Quebec. The theme of this year’s Connect is focused on community and all that means. “So, we’re celebrating the CCSA community that has been around for 20 years, we’re celebrating the communities that are served by our members – and that is… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Wind ownership transfer pulled off the table; Lacavera says there’s a play to be made here

OTTAWA – Orascom Telecom announced Wednesday it has withdrawn its application for Investment Canada Act approval of its acquisition of control of Wind Mobile Canada. Back in January, Orascom announced it would take full control of the nascent Canadian wireless company in a deal which would have seen company CEO Tony Lacavera transfer all of his shares to the foreign owner and resign as CEO. The agreement followed changes to the foreign investment rules by the federal government that frees up telecom companies with less than 10% market share to have no restrictions on foreign ownership…. Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Mobovivo, Turbulent team up to produce second-screen-friendly ads for TV clients

MONTREAL – Creative agency Turbulent Media and second screen software company Mobovivo announced today they have partnered together to distribute and market branded digital content from media companies to smartphones and tablets. “We’re very excited to partner with Mobovivo to better serve the broadcast TV industry,” said Turbulent president and CEO Marc Beaudet in a release. “Mobovivo’s second screen platform is industry-leading and will bring quality creative and advertising revenue opportunities to our TV channel customers.” “Together, Turbulent and Mobovivo will work with TV networks to turn the threat of second screens that pull audiences away,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

New global alliance to promote white space spectrum adoption

SINGAPORE – A group of 23 multinational and smaller businesses – including Microsoft and a Canadian startup called 6Harmonics – have formed a new global alliance to promote regulatory policies for new spectrum sharing technologies that have the potential to address growing wireless data and digital divide challenges. The Dynamic Spectrum Alliance will also focus on promoting laws and regulations to ensure that spectrum technology can extend rural broadband, support the development of smart cities and help ensure that consumers and their devices have wireless bandwidth when and where they need it.   As global… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Jim Shaw, Ivan Fecan join Difference Capital board

TORONTO – Specialty investment company Difference Capital Financial announced today the appointment of Jim Shaw and Ivan Fecan to its board of directors. Shaw is best known for his 12 years as CEO of Shaw Communications. He joined the company his father founded in 1982, moving through a succession of leadership positions in the company. Under his leadership as CEO, the share price of Shaw Communications increased 11% per year and the company became a leader in the North American cable industry. Currently, he serves as a director of Shaw Communications Inc. and United Communities L.P. Fecan was president and CEO… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

COMMENTARY: Verizon looking to take Wind? Sorry, not buying it

THE GLOBE AND MAIL’s top business story on Monday was one saying U.S. telecom behemoth Verizon was looking at jumping into the Canadian market by purchasing tiny Wind Mobile, or the even tinier, Mobilicity. The guffaws you heard Monday morning came from the offices of all of the nation’s telecom companies – and just about all of Bay Street. “What a joke,” one senior telecom executive told Cartt.ca on condition of anonymity. “This is just bulls**t fed to (The Globe) by people trying to drum up interest in Wind and Mobilicity,” said another. “This is highly unlikely,”… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Half of mobile connections in U.S. and Canada are HSPA, LTE

BELLEVUE, WASH. – With the addition of 58 million HSPA and LTE mobile broadband connections in the U.S. and Canada in the first quarter of 2013, mobile broadband now makes up 49% of all mobile connections in the U.S. and Canada, according to research by Informa Telecoms & Media. Worldwide, LTE usage grew by more than 400% at the end of March 2013, ending the quarter with more than 90 million connections. By May 2013 that number grew to more than 100 million connections. According to the report, commissioned by 4G Americas, an industry trade… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

AUX digital magazine now available on Android

TORONTO – A year after its launch as Canada’s first interactive, tablet-exclusive magazine, Blue Ant Media’s AUX Magazine  expanding its availability this week to Android devices. Winner of Best Tablet Application at the 2012 Digi Awards and Music Magazine of the Year at the international 2012 Digital Magazine Awards, AUX is a free monthly digital music magazine providing in-depth coverage on topics for modern music fans. It is also currently one of the top three digital magazines in Canada and the U.S. in the iTunes App Store’s “Movies & Music” category, recently surpassing more than… Continue Reading