OTTAWA – With lots of people busy posting spicy takes on the federal government’s recently introduced Bill C-18, it is worth a reminder we are coming up on a year since two major CRTC decisions were issued.
The first is the CRTC’s decision on mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), issued April 15, 2021, and the second is its decision on wholesale Internet rates, issued May 27, 2021.
Both have proved controversial, and CRTC chair Ian Scott has found himself in the position of defending each decision on multiple occasions in the past year. (You can catch up on…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC yesterday initiated a show cause proceeding and call for comments on the use of the term “manufacturer’s suggested retail price” (MSRP) in the Wireless Code.
The CRTC is examining the term after Quebecor submitted a letter to the Commission last March, which claimed it had observed Bell, Rogers (RCCI) and Telus “appear to be inflating the retail price of their mobile devices,” the CRTC’s notice of consultation says.
The retail price of mobile devices is relevant to the fees consumers are on the hook for if they terminate their wireless contracts early.
Termination costs are limited “to the…
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MONTREAL — TVA Group announced today its production and international distribution company Incendo and Quebecor Content are jointly establishing a new distribution unit to optimize their operations.
As part of the move, Yann Paquet, vice-president of strategy and international affairs at Quebecor Content, announced the appointment of Cynthia Kennedy (above) as vice-president, distribution, of Incendo and Quebecor Content, effective immediately.
In her new role, Kennedy “will direct audiovisual content distribution strategies and activities at Quebecor and its subsidiaries in Canada and worldwide,” reads a press release announcing her appointment.
A native Montrealer, Kennedy has 25 years of sales and senior management experience,…
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MONTREAL – TVA Group’s production and international distribution company Incendo announced today its president and CEO Jean Bureau (above) is stepping down.
Quebecor Media’s TVA Group acquired Incendo in 2019. Bureau has been at the helm of the company for over 20 years. Jean-Philippe Normandeau, who joined Incendo in 2013, is staying on as chief operating officer, and will maintain continuity at the company, according to a press release.
“Incendo has made a name for itself worldwide and now enjoys an enviable international reputation thanks to its people’s talent, dedication and professionalism,” said Jean Bureau, in the release. “I will…
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Telecoms generally against ISED proposal for restricted areas around airports
By Amanda OYE
OTTAWA – Comments submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s (ISED) Consultation on a Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 3800 MHz Band, show Canada’s telecoms are divided on which, if any, pro-competitive measures should be adopted for the 3800 MHz spectrum auction, expected to be held in 2023.
ISED proposed three options for competitive measures for the 3800 MHz auction – a 50 MHz set-aside, a 100 MHz cross-band cap (this would apply across the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz bands), or both.
The set-aside option…
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TORONTO — Blue Ant Media announced today Cottage Life’s hit series Life Below Zero: Canada is returning for a second season beginning Tuesday, March 22 at 9 p.m. ET/PT during the channel’s eight-week nationwide free preview event.
Based on the Life Below Zero format created and produced by BBC Studios’ Los Angeles production arm, the second installment of the Canadian adaptation is a co-production between Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Media company, and Quebecor Content in partnership with APTN.
“Filmed across the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Northern Ontario and Nunavik in Northern Quebec in bone-chilling -51° C weather conditions, Life Below Zero: Canada Season…
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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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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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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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MONTREAL — Quebecor’s TVA announced today the new reality dating series 5 Gars pour moi (5 Guys for Me) will premiere April 11, airing Mondays to Thursdays at 7 p.m. ET.
“Each week, a single woman will welcome five meticulously chosen men into her home, in order to find true love at the end of the week,” reads an English translation of a series promo emailed by TVA.
“She will live special moments with them, inside and outside the house, will introduce them to her friends and family, but will have to say goodbye to one of them every day. The…
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