CRTC focuses on accelerating regional carrier network builds. Eyes now on Cogeco if regulatory conditions satisfy mobile entry
By Ahmad Hathout
GATINEAU – In requiring the country’s largest telecommunications companies to negotiate access to its wireless network with regional carriers, the CRTC has signaled its desire to bolster the fourth players and help accelerate the expansion and deployment of those networks, the Commission’s head Ian Scott said Thursday.
But the Regulator will not require those regional carriers to come to commercial arrangements with smaller players on that leased capacity, with Scott only saying they are permitted to do so.
In essence, Thursday’s decision…
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INTERNET SPEED TESTING pioneer Ookla released its latest test wireline and wireless broadband speed results for a number of markets around the world, including Canada, and its fair to say just about every carrier won something.
Rogers, for example, ranked as Canada’s most consistent national wireless and broadband provider with a score of 88.7%, and had the fastest internet in Ontario and New Brunswick
Telus was the fastest mobile operator with a speed score of 87.54 and tied for first with the lowest latency at 6 ms on the wired internet side.
Freedom Mobile won the median latency crown on the wireless…
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GATINEAU – The CRTC today decided to mandate mobile virtual network operators for the Canadian wireless market – as long as companies who want to be one already own and operate network facilities and Tier 4 or higher (3, 2, 1) spectrum.
The Commission is calling it “wholesale facilities-based MVNO access service” and the decision also makes it clear this new “wholesale roaming policy applies to fifth-generation (5G) networks. This confirmation is important to help ensure that competition can continue to grow as the mobile wireless service market evolves to 5G.”
In short, that means companies with existing facilities like…
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TORONTO – Rogers Communications said today it expanded its 5G network into Selkirk and Steinbach, Manitoba, and St. Catharines, Ontario – and it was used it to direct the flight of a drone.
Rogers’s 5G network now reaches 173 cities and towns and is the largest 5G network in Canada.
The niftier bit of the announcement is Rogers for Business worked with InDro Robotics and the University of British Columbia’s MéridaLabs on Canada’s first remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) flight over a 5G network at the UBC campus in Vancouver.
The company said this shows 5G “will enable the ability to fly…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications announced Thursday its consolidated revenue increased by 1.8% to $1.39 billion in the second quarter ended February 28, 2021, as compared to the prior year’s Q2.
Its adjusted EBITDA increased 6.2% year-over-year to $637 million and net income increased 29.9% to $217 million. Second quarter results do not include any costs or financial impacts from the proposed transaction with Rogers, says the press release.
The company did not hold a conference call with financial analysts and the messaging in its press release was heavy on the merger.
“Our country has been a leader in building and operating…
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FREDERICTON – Former CRTC commissioner Chris MacDonald has been hired by Rogers Communications as senior manager regional delivery – Atlantic Canada.
MacDonald made the announcement on his LinkedIn page. We wondered what that job title actually means so we asked him. “Essentially, it’s part chief of staff to the regional VP, but mostly someone that can be dispatched to get projects (sales opportunities, network builds, gov’t and community engagement, etc.) back on the rails. No regulatory matters – so it will be a nice change,” he told us in a message.
For anyone wondering if such a hire so soon after…
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GATINEAU — Cartt.ca readers will be glad to know the CRTC’s new wireless policies will finally be released this week, with mandated mobile virtual network operators (will they or won’t they?) undoubtedly the biggest item of interest among telecom providers, big and small.
A Commission spokesperson confirmed the policy decision will be issued at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 15 (i.e., after the stock market closes).
It’s been a long wait, seeing as the Commission first announced the wireless policy review proceeding back in February 2019, held a public hearing in February 2020 and final submissions were in July…
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CALGARY — Rogers for Business announced today it is expanding its fibre-optic network to deepen high-speed connectivity to small and medium-sized businesses, enterprises and public sector customers located in Calgary.
This includes enabling the University of Calgary’s 5G campus, which will support Internet of Things (IoT) research and applications in the areas of energy, smart cities, transportation, and workplace safety, says Rogers’s press release.
Construction of the network, which began last year, is complete for all of downtown Calgary and is now expanding further. Rogers for Business customers will have access to a full range of Internet and fibre packages,…
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By Steve Faguy
IN CANADIAN BROADCASTING’S regulatory system, the industry is represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the broadcasters who always want less regulation, and the interest and artist groups who always want more. These are their demands.
Canadian content
In its commercial radio policy, which the CRTC is reviewing, and what much of this series has been about, the most famous content quota requires 35% of popular music broadcast on Canadian radio stations be Canadian.
Unsurprisingly, major broadcasters want a lower quota. They have taken aim at this particular bullseye before. The Canadian Association of Broadcasters proposes 25%. For…
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BRAMPTON, Ont. — The Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst centre at Ryerson University announced today it has partnered with SANS Institute to launch new cybersecurity training courses which combine the SANS Institute’s curriculum with content specifically designed for Canadian cybersecurity professionals.
Beginning in June 2021, SANS Catalyst Community Courses will run open-enrolment cybersecurity training courses each month. Information on course dates and pricing can be found here.
Learners in the SANS Catalyst Community Courses will also have access to additional learning opportunities at the Catalyst Cyber Range, where they can hone their skills against a wide-variety of attack scenarios in ultra-realistic simulated…
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