By Denis Carmel
GATINEAU – On May 12th, Rogers and Videotron filed an application together asking the CRTC to force Bell to let wireless providers, like them, to attach small wireless cells to Bell telephone poles at the Support Structure Service Tariffs set by the CRTC some 15 years ago.
Small cells are a key component of the wireless network helping accommodate the increasing demand for high-speed wireless data. It will in time become a key component of the 5G networks. The SSST was first established so that other telecoms could serve customers without building another set of poles.
To that point:…
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TORONTO — Bell Media’s Animal Planet is offering a nationwide freeview, starting Tuesday, June 2, just in time for the premiere of its summer lineup of new and returning series.
Available until Thursday, July 9, the channel’s free preview will coincide with the season premieres of The Aquarium (June 15), Pit Bulls and Parolees (above, June 26) and North Woods Law (June 30).
In addition, all-new episodes of Lone Star Law (Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET), Coyote Peterson: Brave the Wild (Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET) and Amanda to the Rescue (Fridays at 9 p.m. ET) are scheduled during the freeview…
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VANCOUVER — Rogers is partnering with women’s shelters across British Columbia to provide phones with free voice and data plans to help vulnerable women during the Covid-19 health crisis, the company announced today.
Domestic abuse rates have reportedly increased during the pandemic, with at-risk communities including women and children facing the reality of being at home with an abusive family member, says the news release.
“With a deep commitment to serve the communities where we live and work, Rogers is committed to finding ways to help provide an essential digital lifeline and critical supports for British Columbians who need it…
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TORONTO – Canadians helped Rogers Sports & Media celebrate International Nurses Day by raising awareness and funds, to the tune of $1 million, for Canada’s healthcare workers as they continue to keep us safe in the fight against Covid-19.
Limited-edition Hearts and Smiles t-shirts and masks have been purchased by Canadians in record numbers (and they’re still for sale), with proceeds going to The Frontline Fund. The four-day promotional blitz last week leveraged the company’s sports and media outlets, its hosts (the photo above is of Sportsnet’s Martine Gaillard, borrowed from her Instagram) and its partners, athletes, and celebrity friends.
“I…
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By Ken Kelley
OTTAWA – An exchange between a Telus executive and a Calgary MP got a little heated late Thursday during a virtual meeting of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
The bulk of the tension stemmed from a line of questioning directed at Telus EVP and chief customer officer Tony Geheran by Conservative MP Michelle Rempel-Garner (Calgary Nose Hill).
After asking the executive for the company’s cost per gigabyte when it comes to serving its customers (something Geheran said he didn’t have at hand and offered to send after the meeting) and noting that the figure doesn’t seem…
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GATINEAU – After being told in a letter from CRTC staff that the Commission would not be pursuing an investigation into contact-tracing applications, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre today demanded certain procedural rights its original application requires.
First, PIAC notes the CRTC has not yet posted the May 4 application publicly on its website, which is required by section 23 of its Rules of Practice and Procedure and wants to see it on crtc.gc.ca immediately.
Plus, the advocacy group said it wants the full Commission, not just staff, to issue a ruling on its application, which was opposed…
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GATINEAU — The CRTC won’t open a proceeding to investigate the role and responsibilities of telecom service providers when it comes to contact-tracing applications currently being developed by government authorities to help in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.
In a letter Wednesday to the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), the Commission said it would not give further consideration to PIAC’s Part 1 application filed on May 4. The Commission’s decision comes a day after Bell and Telus submitted letters to support a previous May 7th letter from Rogers which asked the Commission to dismiss PIAC’s application.
In…
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GATINEAU — Rogers, Bell and Telus are asking the CRTC to dismiss a recent Part 1 application from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) that asks the Commission to investigate and clarify the rules and responsibilities telecom service providers have regarding Covid-19 contact-tracing apps.
In a letter to the Commission dated May 7, Rogers submitted the initial request to have PIAC’s application dismissed, arguing the concerns about privacy and oversight raised by PIAC in its application are already being addressed by Canada’s privacy commissioners in a joint statement outlining the principles expected to be adhered to by governments…
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THE BANFF WORLD MEDIA FESTIVAL is launching four months of premium online content from May to September, following the cancellation of this year’s in-person festival due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Banff Virtual Edition program will connect the international media industry and help to ignite new projects and business development, say Banff organizers. The Rockie Awards (June 15) and Banff Day (June 16) will tentpole the season of programming, the majority of which will be offered to the global industry free of charge, says the news release.
International media companies already signed up to participate in sessions and exclusive networking…
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TORONTO — Tuesday is International Nurses Day and in recognition of Canada’s frontline healthcare workers, Rogers Sports and Media is launching what it’s calling the Hearts and Smiles national campaign to benefit The Frontline Fund through the online sale of Hearts and Smiles T-shirts and masks.
“The bravery, resilience and dedication exhibited by nurses, doctors, hospital administrators, paramedics, PSWs, and the entire frontline healthcare community has been nothing short of heroic,” said Jordan Banks, president of Rogers Sports and Media, in the news release. “It’s both an honour and a privilege to use our sports and media megaphone to…
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