Company challenges CRTC on decision not to indulge passive infrastructure debate; seamless roaming
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – When the CRTC asked for comments for its review of the wireless industry—with eyes trained on whether it would force negotiations on access to big wireless networks—a parallel issue emerged in the submissions: How will the regulator deal with the emerging friction between cellcos and local officials when it comes to equipment attachments on municipal infrastructure?
Apparently, not at all. Mid last month, in its decision to force the big three carriers to lease wireless network capacity to regional carriers, the Regulator said…
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By Greg O’Brien
MONTREAL and OXFORD, N.S. – Should the Competition Bureau decide Freedom Mobile must be sold as a condition of Rogers Communications being able to purchase Shaw Communications, count Eastlink founder John Bragg and Quebecor Inc. CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau as interested.
During his company’s first quarter conference call with financial analysts today, Péladeau said the Commission’s new wireless policies, coupled with the potential for Freedom Mobile coming on the market, could mean conditions are right for the company to move beyond its home province.
“We’re pleased with the CRTC decision allowing facilities-based MVNOs, as it confirms the importance…
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By Lynn Greiner
MARKHAM – Twenty years ago, the cable television industry spent billions building out the networks that have served us to this day. Over the years, they’ve been renovated, modified and upgraded, but the underlying hybrid fibre coax (HFC) architecture hasn’t fundamentally changed.
And now, faced with the increasing demands for bandwidth, both upstream and downstream, the industry has to look at re-architecting its networks just to keep up, said Ian Oliver, CEO of Versant Solutions Group.
But unlike 20 years ago, when there was one architecture that everyone adopted, today there are many choices, each with its benefits…
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“Disinformation spreading on private messaging apps is a growing threat to our democracy”
TORONTO — With more than eight in 10 people in Canada using private messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, a new study from Ryerson University’s Cybersecure Policy Exchange finds 46% of Canadians report receiving private messages which they suspect are false at least monthly.
The report, Private Messages, Public Harms, is based on results from a representative survey of 2,500 Canadians in March 2021. The Cybersecure Policy Exchange, which is an initiative powered by RBC through Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and the Ryerson Leadership Lab, analyzed the…
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Advisory firms recommend shareholders vote in favour
CALGARY — Shaw Communications announced today two independent proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and Glass, Lewis and Co., have recommended that Shaw’s shareholders vote for the proposed business merger with Rogers Communications announced in March.
The proposed $26-billion purchase deal would see Rogers acquire all of Shaw’s issued and outstanding Class A participating shares and Class B non-voting participating shares.
Shaw says a special shareholder meeting will be held virtually on May 20 at 10 a.m. MT. The purpose of the meeting is for Class A and B shareholders to consider…
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TORONTO — Canadian Broadcast Sales (CBS) today announced the launch of AudioVelocity, a new digital audio platform it says is designed to deliver advanced advertising solutions and real-time measurement to radio and podcast advertisers.
Providing enhanced targeting capabilities, the AudioVelocity platform allows advertisers to deliver messages through streamed and on-demand content via connected devices across CBS’s portfolio of leading Canadian broadcasters and podcasters, including confirmed partners Rogers Sports and Media, Corus Entertainment, Pattison Media, Cogeco Media, CBC, Vista Radio, Radioplayer Canada, Golden West Broadcasting, Blackburn Radio, and MBS Radio.
“Radio already delivers massive reach, excellent cost efficiency, and demonstrated impact for…
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GATINEAU — Having been denied access to a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) building currently under construction in Saint John, N.B., and therefore unable to offer services to incoming residents, Rogers Communications is asking the CRTC to order the developer to grant it access to the building, on a expedited basis.
In a Part 1 application filed May 6th and posted on the Commission’s website today, Rogers says Iron Gate Developments and its owner, Stephen Brittain, refuse to provide Rogers with access to a property known as Telegraph Square, located at 29 Canterbury Street in Saint John.
Rogers says in its application it…
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Rural areas need a single, open access, network
By Joe Hickey
IN A WORLD WHERE many causes are highly politicized, rural broadband access is a cause just about everyone can get behind. With it, Canada can improve rural access to education, healthcare, and economic growth. This is especially important in the wake of COVID-19, which put a glaring spotlight on the digital divide, and made it all the rage to support rural broadband access.
Even major urban telcos seem to be getting on board, with Rogers Communications promising a $1 billion rural broadband fund in its recent proposal to…
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By Howard Law
UNTIL LAST WEEK, PARLIAMENT’S Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage was plodding through the clause-by-clause review of Bill C-10 with no tasty headlines. Perhaps the bill’s revamp of the Broadcasting Act, which would sweep in Netflix, isn’t controversial anymore.
Of course, federal political partisanship is inevitable, as Canadian as bad weather.
And so, we now have the Conservatives’ faux controversy over free expression on social media platforms. In an e-mail blast from CPC MPs across the country, they made their case:
“Recently, the Liberal government introduced Bill C-10 – a bill that would regulate social media websites like Facebook, YouTube, and…
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Mediaucracy looks at Cancon policy for TV in the global online era
By Len St-Aubin
IN HER FORTHCOMING BOOK, Mediaucracy: Why Canada hasn’t made global hits and how it can, Irene Berkowitz shows how policies intended to support premium Canadian content are colliding with the global online era and that collision is preventing Canada from generating Cancon hits for the global market at a level this country’s world-class production industry is capable of as, ironically, this country turns out global hits for foreign broadcasters and streamers.
The book makes a strong case that this outcome is largely due to a missing link…
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