By Ahmad Hathout
The Federal Court of Appeal has turned down an appeal by Rogers challenging two CRTC decisions forcing it to freeze movement of certain Corus channels it argued was within its contractual right to repackage and remove.
Following a hearing in September, the high court ruled Thursday that Rogers cannot change the terms of its agreement with Corus after the initiation of a dispute because that would be contrary to the standstill, which requires that the status quo be maintained until the dispute is resolved.
“If, following a dispute, Rogers could invoke any provision…
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By Ahmad Hathout
TekSavvy is once again asking the CRTC to stop Cogeco from decommissioning copper facilities it relies on to provide internet service to customers in Ontario.
In a Part 1 application made public Thursday, the largest independent internet wholesaler said it received notices from Cogeco about its move away from hybrid fibre-coaxial facilities (HFC) to pure fibre in parts of Windsor, Burlington, Kingston and its hometown of Chatham.
Until it can make a final decision on its application, TekSavvy is asking the CRTC to order an immediate suspension of any decommissioning before April 1, which is when it said it…
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By Connie Thiessen
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) says Toronto’s 680 NewsRadio (CFTR-AM) should have disclosed its ownership during a Toronto Blue Jays giveaway last October.
The CBSC decision is in response to Rogers’s “Bring It Home” campaign, launched during the Blue Jays World Series run, announcing on CFTR that it would be giving away free tickets to fans for every home game. CFTR reported on the giveaway, noting that Rogers owns the baseball team. A listener later complained the station should have mentioned it is also owned by Rogers because the giveaway constituted a promotion of another Rogers-owned entity, suggesting a conflict…
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By Ahmad Hathout
SpaceX is getting broad support for its Starlink broadband satellite service to use the E-band spectrum to expand connectivity, including to Canada’s rural and remote communities.
The American aerospace company filed a request with Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) in December requesting that it be able to utilize the E-band (71-76 GHz downlink and 81-86 GHz uplink) for fixed satellite service (FSS) communications between its satellites and gateway earth station located at Saint-Laurent, Quebec and Janet, Alberta, which are currently serving users via the Ka-band. The E-band is used by terrestrial wireless network providers for…
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Telus announced Tuesday it has signed a commercial agreement with Texas-based AST SpaceMobile to deliver satellite-powered cellular broadband service — including text messaging, voice calls and data — direct to everyday smartphones, starting late this year.
The satellite-to-mobile connectivity will be made possible by combining AST SpaceMobile’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation and Telus’s wireless network, enabling Telus customers to connect in areas of Canada where traditional cellular network infrastructure is not available.
As part of the agreement, Telus will invest in ground-based satellite infrastructure and become an equity shareholder in AST…
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Rogers Bank and Mastercard on Monday announced the introduction of the Rogers Red World Legend Mastercard, calling it a first-of-its-kind offering in Canada.
“We’re proud to be the first in Canada to offer the World Legend Mastercard and to provide Canadians a suite of benefits that no other card can match,” Nick Bednarz, CEO of Rogers Bank, said in a Monday press release. “With this new card, customers get more value out of their Rogers services, combined with Mastercard’s global benefits.”
Premium benefits for cardholders who are Rogers customers include…
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New wireless competitors took over half of mobile sub adds in 2024
By Ahmad Hathout
Independent wholesale-based internet service providers lost half of their market share since 2020, according to a report from the CRTC.
The market share dropped from a high of 8.4 per cent in 2020 to 4.2 per cent in 2024, according to the Canadian Telecommunications Market Report, released Tuesday. And it’s been steady in between: falling to 8 per cent in 2021, 6.1 per cent in 2022 and 5 per cent in 2023.
“With shifts in the internet service market and in…
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iDREAM, a Canadian non-profit organization committed to advancing racial equity and inclusivity within media and creative industries, last week announced the opening of applications for the second annual iDREAM Awards.
The iDREAM (Inclusivity, Diversity, Racial Equity Award in Media) Awards recognize and support extraordinary contributions of underrepresented and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) creators and innovators across five categories: Art, Entrepreneurship, Film, Music and Sport.
“Individuals and organizations doing innovative, community-shaping work in these categories are encouraged to apply through the iDREAM website for the opportunity to receive $1…
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Freedom Mobile on Tuesday announced it is introducing a refreshed suite of Total Freedom plans offering coast-to-coast coverage across Canada, plus international roaming in 120-plus global destinations included at no additional cost.
“These plans will include monthly recurring Roam Beyond data, expanding the value proposition far beyond Canada-U.S.-Mexico use,” said a Freedom press release. “By embedding international roaming into wireless monthly rate plans, Freedom removes the unpredictability and financial burden typically associated with other international roaming options — a longstanding pain point for consumers.”
The new unlimited talk-and-text Total Freedom…
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Rogers announced Tuesday it is launching satellite-powered asset tracking technology with Geotab, an Oakville, Ont.-based global provider of connected transportation, video and asset tracking solutions.
Powered by Rogers Satellite, Geotab’s new asset tracker GO Anywhere Plus extends visibility of assets where traditional cell coverage is not available, providing Rogers Business customers near real-time location of critical assets wherever they operate, said a Rogers press release.
Applications include fleet and asset tracking along remote highways and rail corridors, as well as powering automated sensors for sectors such as forestry…
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