TORONTO – Rogers Communications is in talks with potential buyers of Shaw Communications’ Freedom Mobile, although according to the Globe and Mail, these talks do not include Quebecor subsidiary Videotron.
The news comes following a statement earlier this month from François-Philippe Champagne, minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, in which he said he would not allow Rogers to acquire all of Shaw’s wireless assets. (Rogers’ acquisition of Shaw still needs approval from ISED, the CRTC and the Competition Bureau.)
At a Scotia Bank conference the following week, Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri said Rogers found the statement to be…
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TORONTO — Rogers Communications and Sheridan College announced today a new two-year partnership that will focus on 5G autonomous vehicle research and development through Sheridan’s Centre for Mobile Innovation (CMI), located at the college’s Trafalgar Road Campus in Oakville, Ont.
The collaboration “will involve studying the potential of integrating navigation, diagnostics, and infotainment systems into autonomous vehicles over new 5G wireless technologies and networks, and research into the areas of intelligent transport systems in a multi-user-environment,” explains a press release.
“Sheridan is thrilled to partner with Rogers on this exciting new research,” said Andrea England, vice-provost of research at Sheridan, in…
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OTTAWA – The International Institute of Communications (IIC) Canadian Chapter has released a preliminary program for its annual conference, being held as a hybrid event this year with the in-person part taking place at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on May 16 and 17.
According to an email announcing registration for the event is open, the conference will feature discussions on a variety of topics including:
Competition law and platform regulation
Bill C-11 (the Online Streaming Act)
Rural broadband in Canada and the optimal mix of technologies
Developments in Indigenous media
Compensation for news media
Broadband mapping
The importance…
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CREATORS CAN NOW apply to take part in the first Northern Canada Producer Accelerator (NCPA), a joint program between the Yukon and Northwest Territories, which was announced today by Screen Production Yukon Association, Northwest Territories Professional Media Association, Yukon Media Development, and the Northwest Territories Film Commission.
“Produced by Access Canada, the NCPA will offer training, mentorship, networking, and market access for up to ten (10) content producers in the Yukon and Northwest Territories,” a press release says.
“In order to ensure it is best positioned to address the unique needs of Canada’s northern producers, the NCPA will work closely with…
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By Ken Kelley
WITH LAST WEEK’S news that Disney intends to roll-out a cheaper, ad-supported tier of Disney+, Corus Entertainment CEO Doug Murphy (above) sees the move as a full circle moment.
“The market is waking up to the fact the bloom is coming off the streaming rose,” Murphy told Scotiabank analyst Jeff Fan during the bank’s annual TMT (telecom, media and technology) Conference.
While subsequently qualifying his statement to say he considers Disney to be the smartest operator of all digital platforms thanks to how the company segments its offerings on Disney+ while also preserving its channels business, he…
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TORONTO — Corus Entertainment and the Banff World Media Festival (BANFF) announced today applications are now open for the 2022 Corus Apprentice Program: Young Adult Scripted.
The focus of this year’s apprentice program is to seek out writers from underrepresented communities interested in the young adult live-action scripted genre, explains a press release.
“Our Corus Apprentice Program is a key tenet of our approach to foster the creative pipeline and support underrepresented voices and perspectives in Canada,” said Colin Bohm, executive vice-president of content and corporate strategy at Corus Entertainment, in the release.
“As a content creator and commissioner, we value and recognize the importance…
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ROGERS PRESIDENT AND CEO Tony Staffieri (above, centre) is “unsurprised” François-Philippe Champagne, the minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said he would not allow the company to acquire all of Shaw Communications’ wireless licences last week.
Speaking with Scotiabank telecom analyst Jeff Fan (right) at the bank’s telecom, media and technology conference this afternoon, along with Glenn Brandt (left), Rogers’ chief financial officer, Staffieri said the statement was actually “very helpful in terms of articulating their broad view, which is on the wireless side, what they’d like to see is a continued fourth player in the marketplace.”
Overall, Staffieri told…
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By Ahmad Hathout
COGECO CEO PHILIPPE JETTÉ (above) said today his company has been in “constant conversation” with Canada’s telecom regulator about when the industry can get the terms and conditions required for establishing a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), and is expecting something in ‘late spring, early summer.’
In April last year, the CRTC decided regional telecoms can force negotiations with the big three national telecoms for access to their mobile wireless networks, thereby allowing these smaller entities to establish services beyond their existing territory – so long as they have spectrum and infrastructure in the target area.
But the regulator has…
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CALGARY — In celebration of International Women’s Day, Shaw Communications and Hackergal today announced “Code the Future”, a new initiative designed to introduce young women, including non-binary, gender queer and trans individuals, to the basics of code and to help inspire them to explore the world of STEM.
Starting today, visitors to codethefuture.ca will be given the tools “to create a custom, web-based digital image using CSS and JavaScript coding languages,” which they are encouraged to share with their social networks “to inspire others and spread positive messages that celebrate women in STEM,” reads a press release.
“Code the Future is…
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TORONTO — Corus Entertainment announced today the appointment of Charmaine Crooks (above, left) and Margaret O’Brien (right) as new independent members of its board of directors, effective March 7.
These appointments bring Corus’s total board membership to 12.
“We are thrilled to welcome these two talented individuals to our Board of Directors,” said Heather Shaw, executive chair of the board, Corus Entertainment, in a press release. “Both women bring a wealth of knowledge and experience which complement our future growth objectives and further reflect our increased commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion at Corus.”
“These two new board members join an experienced…
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