CNOC says the company didn’t remove older modems from compatibility list
By Ahmad Hathout
GATINEAU – Rogers Communications is suggesting an application to allow third party internet access (TPIA) providers who lease access to its networks to sign-up new subscribers on legacy DOCSIS 3.0 modems past June this year would delay its upgrade plans and cost it millions of dollars.
The cable giant said it gave members of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) a full year to adopt the newer DOCSIS 3.1 modems, which it said will allow it to introduce greater network capacity, faster upload and download speeds, and…
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GATINEAU – Today, the CRTC denied an application brought by large facilities-based ISPs to review and vary telecom regulatory policy 2019-269, specifically, the application of the Internet Code.
“The applicants (Bell, Rogers, Telus and others) submitted the Commission erred in its determination to apply the Internet Code to only the 10 largest facilities-based ISPs at this time; however, the Commission finds that the applicants have failed to demonstrate that there is substantial doubt as to the correctness of that determination,” reads today’s decision.
“As stated in Telecom Regulatory Policy 2019-269, the Commission expects that all Internet service providers will…
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By Greg O’Brien
OTTAWA – While one question was answered Wednesday, a few others have arisen surrounding the June 2021 auction of 3500 MHz wireless spectrum.
There was much speculation whether Shaw would take part in the auction, now that Rogers is buying the company, and on the list of qualified bidders released by Industry, Science and Economic Development Wednesday, Shaw is absent, so it’s officially out. As we reported, it probably would have been disqualified from bidding on set aside spectrum anyway, if it had taken part.
“This confirms Shaw is all in on the proposed deal with Rogers…
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By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – When the members of the Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU) began talking about studying the proposed acquisition of Shaw by Rogers, one member suggested that they should not bother inviting the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development since he would not be able to say anything but instead then invite the chairman of the CRTC, the commissioner of competition and top representatives from the Department of Industry.
They all were the witnesses on Wednesday, April 7 and… they could not share anything useful because they are prohibited from prejudging the issue.
The Minister, François-Philippe…
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Funding coming from Connecting British Columbia program, UBF and Rogers
TORONTO — Rogers Communications announced today it is expanding its wireless network, including 5G coverage, in British Columbia by building new cell towers along Highways 14 and 16 (known as the Highway of Tears) to provide reliable connectivity on these critical routes.
For Highway 16, Rogers along with its 5G partner Ericsson will build 12 new towers to close key gaps and provide 252 kms of new cell coverage along the corridor between Prince Rupert and Prince George, so there will be continuous coverage along all 720 kms of this northern…
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TORONTO — Rogers Sports and Media’s Sportsnet announced today its Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling is returning to action after a prolonged hiatus due to the global pandemic, with the first event in the series scheduled for broadcast on Sportsnet’s TV and streaming platforms starting April 15.
Owned and operated by Sportsnet since 2012, the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling is an elite series featuring the best men’s and women’s curling teams from around the world. This year’s condensed Grand Slam circuit will feature 12 men’s and 12 women’s teams competing in two back-to-back events: Humpty’s Champions Cup (April 14-18)…
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By Robert Brehl
Long-time former president of Rogers Cable, Colin Delacourt Watson, died from acute leukemia this week. He was 79. Mr. Watson had been in Florida for the winter with his wife, Barbara. Less than two weeks before his passing, he had been playing golf and posting on Instagram (right).
“The Rogers family and Rogers Communications are deeply saddened by the passing of Colin Watson,” RCI chair Edward Rogers said. “Colin was a key figure in the building of the cable industry in Canada over three decades. He was instrumental to building Rogers Cable into what it is today. He…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Between losing a fourth wireless player in a merger and difficulty negotiating with big telecoms on leasing wireless network capacity, smaller carriers and their representatives told members of the industry committee Tuesday that the one-two punch of divesting Freedom Mobile in a Rogers-Shaw combination and mandating wireless negotiations with service-based operators could spell the last vestige of hope for a competitive telecom environment.
Appearing before the committee studying the Rogers-Shaw merger proposal, Matt Stein, who is head of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada, an industry group representing smaller internet service providers (as well as president…
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OTTAWA — The next webinar in the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association’s (CWTA) “5G Canada: What’s Next” monthly series will take place Wednesday, April 28 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. ET.
Presented by CWTA and its 5G Canada Council, the free webinar will feature the following speakers:
Eric Bruno, senior vice-president of 5G, content and connected home products at Rogers Communications
Jefferson Wang, co-author of the book The Future Home in the 5G Era and managing director of global 5G strategy and go-to-market lead at Accenture
The two speakers will discuss the future of the connected home and the hyper-connected…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Underlying witness testimony at Wednesday’s Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology meeting into the proposed merger between Rogers and Shaw was the message that there are things the government can control in the event the massive cable and wireless combination gets regulatory approval.
That includes policies on requiring facilities-based telecoms to negotiate with service-based mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), which the CRTC is still reviewing, and which federal cabinet can send back if it doesn’t like the Commission’s call; spectrum transfers and radio wave restrictions on the merging entities; open access to towers and backhaul…
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