Search Results for: rogers

Cable / Telecom News

CRRBC 2020: How Indigenous communities must work far harder to procure decent broadband

“We don’t fit their business model” By Lynn Greiner INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES FACE UNIQUE challenges when it comes to establishing broadband connectivity. At Canada’s Rural and Remote Broadband virtual conference (CRRBC) on Monday, a panel of experts who are addressing those challenges talked about what they’re doing, the roadblocks they’re facing, and why they’re persevering. Moderated by Kim Barrington, Rogers Communications’ director of operations, enterprise division and chairperson for the Rogers’ Indigenous Peoples’ Network, the panel included Sally Braun, general manager, Western James Bay Telecom Network, Lyle Fabian, president/owner, KatloTech Communications, Rob McMahon, associate professor of communication and technology, Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Third party ISPs raise alarm on Rogers’ traffic management shifts

Says change disproportionately impacts their customers By Ahmad Hathout GATINEAU – Third party internet service provider TekSavvy, along with the Competitive Network Operators Consortium (CNOC), said in complaints to the CRTC that a change to Rogers’ network management practices that would constrain some users’ internet usage during the Covid-19 pandemic would disproportionately affect subscribers of wholesale service providers. Rogers submitted an application to the CRTC in May revising its access tariff to include a section outlining the company’s ability to apply internet traffic management practices (ITMP). “During these periods, any end-user whose disproportionate consumption of shared resources required for internet service is… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Colette Watson leaving Rogers, Julie Adam appointed SVP of TV and radio

TORONTO — After 30 years at Rogers Communications, Colette Watson (above) is stepping down as senior vice-president of television and broadcast operations for Rogers Sports and Media. Her last day at Rogers will be June 15, the company announced today. “Colette has been an invaluable member of the Rogers team and a driving force behind industry change. Over her 30-year career, whether it was in cable, regulatory, or media, she consistently delivered under pressure, championed what’s right, and put the company first,” said Jordan Banks, president of Rogers Sports and Media, in the news release. “Faced with industry challenges,… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Sportsnet to rewind Rogers Cup

TORONTO — For the next two weeks, Sportsnet will revisit some of the biggest moments from the Rogers Cup tournament, featuring Canadian tennis stars Bianca Andreescu and Denis Shapovalov, the broadcaster announced Monday. This week, Rogers Cup Rewind will relive Andreescu’s 2019 championship run. Starting Monday night at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, Sportsnet will rebroadcast Andreescu’s first round matchup with Eugenie Bouchard on Sportsnet One and Sportsnet Now. On the following four nights, Sportsnet will continue with round-by-round coverage of the 2019 tournament, culminating Friday in Andreescu’s semifinal against American Sofia Kenin and her championship final victory over Serena… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

3500 MHz auction delayed; 3800 consultation launched

By Greg O’Brien OTTAWA – No one likes delay, especially when it comes to the auction of the wireless spectrum which will drive the primary advantages of 5G wireless technology. Canadian wireless companies have been clamouring for access to 3500 MHz (3.5 GHz if you prefer) because the mid-band spectrum will deliver the speed and low latency so key to 5G’s future and all were anxious to get to this December’s auction and hit the gas on the next generation of wireless. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit. While company CEOs like Joe Natale (Rogers), Mirko Bibic (Bell), Darren Entwistle (Telus), and… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

VMedia launches Canada’s first virtual BDU with RiverTV

TORONTO – Independent ISP and TV service provider VMedia Thursday announced the launch of RiverTV, Canada’s first live TV and on-demand streaming channel platform. Such services are known as virtual multichannel video programming distributors in the United States (such as Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, AT&T TV Now and others) but in Canada, the company is sticking with our own vernacular, so RiverTV is a vBDU, or virtual broadcast distribution undertaking. Like conventional BDUs, and VMedia TV is one of those, RiverTV packages top specialty channels Canadian programming groups including Corus, Blue Ant Media, Channel Zero and Wildbrain, as well as… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Covid crisis changes no minds on MVNO question

By Denis Carmel GATINEAU – On May 15, the CRTC sent a request for information to parties involved in its wireless policy review asking: Does the ongoing situation with respect to the Covid-19 pandemic change the views you have previously put forward on any of the issues being examined in this proceeding? Explain why or why not with supporting rationale and evidence, as necessary.” We expected few minds to have changed and the responses filed on May 29, were almost unanimous. We’re paraphrasing here, but the answers are: “The current crisis reinforces what we’ve been saying.” The anti mobile virtual network… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Ontario reconfirms $150-million investment in rural broadband and cellular service

TORONTO — The Ontario government today reconfirmed its commitment to invest $150 million to improve broadband and cellular service in rural, remote and underserved areas of the province. The funding was previously announced in July 2019 as part of the province’s $315-million initiative called Up to Speed: Ontario’s Broadband and Cellular Action Plan. “As we carefully restart the economic engine of Canada, every region and every community will play a role in bringing jobs and prosperity back to our province,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford, in today’s news release. “By investing in reliable broadband and cellular service, we are… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Citytv brings back Speakers Corner as digital platform for Canadians to #SpeakUp

TORONTO — Rogers Sports and Media is asking Canadians to #SpeakUp against systemic racism and discrimination, announcing today the return of Citytv’s iconic Speakers Corner as a digital platform for Canadians to share their thoughts and opinions via video. “With racial inequality, hatred, and discrimination still so prevalent, we as a society must do better. We have a unique responsibility to engage Canadians in conversation through our media assets and help be a catalyst for positive change by amplifying voices that have not always been heard with equal measure,” said Jordan Banks, president of Rogers Sports and Media, in the… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Stingray Karaoke and Qello Concerts launch on Rogers Ignite TV

MONTREAL — Music service provider and broadcaster Stingray announced today its music TV channels Stingray Karaoke and Qello Concerts are now available on Rogers Ignite TV. The two services will be available in free preview for Rogers Ignite TV customers until July 2 and after that, each costs $7.99 per month. Ignite TV customers can access the channels by saying “Stingray Karaoke” and “Stingray Qello” into their voice remote. “We are excited to grow our partnership with Stingray and give Ignite TV customers access to even more curated music content across multiple channels,” said Eric Bruno, senior vice-president, 5G, content and… Continue Reading