OTTAWA – Canadians are expected to triple their use of wireless data in the next three years – following their rapid embrace of a range of innovative and affordable mobile data services including wireless e-mail, text messaging and Internet access, said the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association today.
Intercarrier text messaging (which Canadian wireless companies first launched), mobile satellite radio, unlimited music downloads, wireless e-mail and wireless video calling, have spurred a rapid growth in data usage by Canadians, says the wireless lobby group.
Approximately 10% of the average Canadian’s monthly cell phone usage is now related to wireless data,…
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SOME FILED REAMS of digital paper with the Commission (Rogers Communications’ submission was 132 pdf pages and a few appendices), while others were more concise (Shaw’s was just nine pages, plus a couple of research reports)
Anyway, we’ve read more than a few thousand words and identified what appear to be the primary issues facing the CRTC with its review of the policies governing broadcast distribution undertakings (all licensed video providers) and specialty services. The hearing is set for February 4 in Gatineau.
Below is a bit of a synopsis of what the BDUs are asking for and what…
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Dear Editor,
ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. asserts that the primary policy objective of the CRTC should be to lessen Canadian protection and facilitate an accelerated importation of foreign channels.
Well, the fastest and most economically efficient way to accomplish that would be to cease protecting Canadian cable companies from U.S. distributors like Comcast and DirecTV.
However, that would be against the law – and would trigger a precipitous dismantling of our once-proud broadcasting system.
Canada is the only country in the world that competes 24 hours a day, and live, with the behemoth U.S. entertainment machine.
We have a unique…
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TORONTO – With the deadline for initial submissions into the CRTC’s policy review of the broadcast distribution undertaking and specialty services regulations, the Coalition of Canadian Audio-Visual Unions (CCAU) beat their familiar drumbeat that “a strong Canadian cable and satellite industry should directly contribute to creating a strong television production industry for Canada,” reads its press release this afternoon.
(Of course, the drumbeat from all sides will sound pretty similar we think. Cartt.ca is gathering the submissions from many of the major players and will have much more on this topic next week.)
The CRTC is holding public hearings…
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TORONTO – Looking to accelerate revenues in the fast-growing market for online distribution of film and TV programming, Canadian producer Devine Entertainment has created a new digital unit to focus on that by monetizing its library within the space.
Its new online content distribution unit, it’s hoped, will accelerate revenue growth for digital download of film and television content. The new group will spearhead initiatives to maximize revenue opportunities in the double-digit industry growth of video-on-demand (VOD), Internet, wireless and mobile communications, and other new electronic distribution channels.
“The initiative comes as the entertainment industry continues to experience a…
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BACK IN THE LATE 1990s, when his brother Drew Craig was still running Craig Media, whose primary assets back then were the A Channels, Boyd Craig was busy launching what was hoped then to be a “cable killer”.
In its heyday, Sky Cable delivered digital television wirelessly to thousands of homes in Manitoba in the hopes of taking a big chunk of the TV distribution market. Alas, as with other “wireless cable” startups in North America, technical limitations plus the power of the incumbents and growing satellite companies, led to their limited growth and for some, demise.
But Craig…
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TORONTO – A pair of independent analyst reports published to investors last week both identified Shaw Communications and Videotron ltée as the two companies best-prepared to bid for wireless spectrum during the advanced wireless spectrum auction in early 2008.
Of course, the rules surrounding the auction have not yet been released (the best we can tell you is that they’ll be out before Christmas) and both sides are busily lobbying. Companies who want AWS to possibly build their own networks like Quebecor (owners of Videotron) or expand nationally like MTS Allstream, want some special breaks in the auction…
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MONTREAL – Telefilm Canada announced today that Michel Roy has been named chair of the corporation’s board. The announcement was made by Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Roy takes over from Fil Fraser, who has served as interim chair of Telefilm since February 2007.
“Michel Roy’s experience in public administration and his interest in the arts, television, music, and writing will make him an invaluable asset to Telefilm and the Canadian industry,” said Wayne Clarkson, Executive Director of Telefilm. “Our team welcomes him with great enthusiasm.”
Roy has a master’s degree in public administration from the Université du…
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MONTREAL – Four Telecom Laureates and a Special Recognition Award winner will be officially inducted into Canada’s Telecommunications Hall of Fame at the Telecom Laureate Awards gala and induction ceremonies on Tuesday, October 16th at Windsor Station in Montreal.
The Class of 2007 Telecom Laureates are: Michael Kedar (Champion of Telecom Services Competition), Robert W. (Bob) Jones (Canada’s Radio Spectrum Ambassador), Frederic Newton Gisborne, (Colonial Telegraph Trailblazer), and C.R.O. (Bob) Munro, (Patron of Federally Regulated Telecom). The Hall of Fame’s Special Recognition Award for 2007 goes to the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC), and a Career Service Award will…
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KAWAWACHIKAMACH, QC – Residents of the Northeastern Quebec communities of Kawawachikamach, Schefferville, Matimekush and Lac John now have access to high-capacity Internet service thanks to a joint broadband initiative between Canada’s New Government and the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach.
Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Chief Philip Einish, President of Naskapi Imuun Inc., today announced that the Government of Canada is contributing up to $4.7 million towards this $6.27 million initiative. The remainder of the funding, $1.57 million, comes from the Naskapi Nation.
"Broadband is a key piece of infrastructure for 21st century communities to help…
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