MISSISSAUGA, ON – The Mississauga Convention Center was a buzz of activity Tuesday morning as CommTech East kicked off with a full house for the general session with guest speaker Daniel Howard, CTO for the SCTE.
Howard provided an overview of industry trends and timing direction related to the technology and evolution paths of fibre to the home.
Here are a few highlights. Everyone agrees that PON is the end game scenario, but hybrid fiber coaxial will remain for a long time. The challenge is the transition. Within that challenge is the diversity of the solutions and the diversity…
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OTTAWA – Industry Canada’s latest auction kicked off earlier this week with 11 companies looking to secure some of the more than 300 licences up for grabs in the 2500 MHz band. A combinatorial clock auction (CCA) format, the same as was used in the 2014 700 MHz auction, is in place, meaning the bandwidth sale could last a few weeks.
Along with the Big Three – Bell Mobility, Rogers Communications and Telus Mobility – new entrants Wind Mobile, Vidéotron and Bragg Communications (Eastlink) are all participating. Regional wireless company MTS, rural satellite and wireless broadband providers SSi Micro and…
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OTTAWA – Making sure to set aside cash for TV broadcasters from the auction of 600 MHz wireless spectrum just might drive the prices to be paid for that spectrum too high for some to participate.
Arguments from the integrated wireless/broadcasting companies that they should get a portion of the proceeds from an auction of the 600 MHz band to pay for the transition to new over the air (OTA) frequencies should be dismissed, argues Wind Mobile.
The company notes that setting aside money from a 600 MHz auction could result in higher spectrum licence costs because the integrated…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications second quarter revenue came in at $1.34 billion and at $2.73 billion for the first half of the fiscal year, which are increases of 5% and 3%, respectively, the company announced this morning.
Total operating income before restructuring costs and amortization of $557 million improved 5% over the comparable quarter while the year-to-date amount of $1.16 billion improved 2% over the prior year. The company’s Q2 and first half ended February 28.
Chief Executive Officer, Brad Shaw said, "The positive operating momentum continues across our businesses. We are seeing the financial and operational benefits of…
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MONTREAL – Vidéotron Mobile announced today it will give its customers wider coverage across the country “from Gaspé to Vancouver, from Prairie roads to Laurentian lakeshores” beginning May 13.
With Videotron’s all inclusive Canada plans, its customers will be able to travel the country, texting and emailing at no extra charge across the land on Videotron’s partner networks. The company has had a long standing network sharing agreement with Rogers.
Videotron’s LTE mobile network, a year after launch, covers nearly 90% of Québec’s population and supports speeds of up to 150 Mbps.
“Today’s announcement confirms our commitment to continue offering…
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MISSISSAUGA – The Mississauga Convention Center will be buzzing today and Wednesday during the CommTech East Show, with its sold out exhibitor forum and the over 25 seminar sessions.
This is the second year for CommTech in the east thanks to the major support of Rogers, the SCTE and platinum sponsor, Power & Tel.
Show attendees are communication providers, sub-contractors and trainers, in the cable, telco, wireless, ISP and related industries using similar technologies; municipal, government, utilities, power, oil & gas and IT companies. Over 100 companies are expected to attend. Pictured is last year’s show floor.
Registration is available at the…
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OTTAWA – The Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) is seeking leave to appeal to quash a recent CRTC decision that did away with the Terms of Trade agreement the organization fought so hard for. The group has filed the leave application with the Federal Court of Appeal (FCA).
The March 12 portion of the Let’s Talk TV decision (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-86) made a number of significant changes to the Canadian broadcasting system, many of which were discussed at length during the two week public hearing. Terms of Trade was not one of them and the Commission’s decision…
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LAS VEGAS – With revenues in the traditional subscription TV business trundling along at 1-2% growth – even though subscribers are not cutting or trimming their subscriptions in real numbers yet – expect all the big media companies to jump into the over-the-top pool, if they haven’t already. The potential global growth is too big to ignore.
That was part of the message this morning during a National Association of Broadcasters Super Session panel diving into the burgeoning business that is OTT video.
While the number of people who say they want to cut or trim their subscription TV bill still…
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TORONTO – Guy Laurence insists he’s merely in the foothills of a long climb, pulling along with him the Rogers Communications brand.
He’s surely been active in his 15 months as Rogers CEO (Can it only be 15 months? So much has been done.) Since the announcement back in September 2013 that he would be the new CEO (Laurence officially started December 2 that year), Rogers purchased the national NHL rights in a $5.2 billion, 12-year deal; spent another $3.3 billion on wireless spectrum; unveiled a new Rogers 3.0 plan that is driving the restructuring of the…
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TORONTO – Rogers Communications announced today it will extend its popular Roam Like Home wireless travel plan to over 35 countries in Europe.
Starting April 15, Rogers customers can talk, text, send emails, share photos and surf in more than 35 European countries for a flat fee of $10/day on their Share Everything plans. The primary difference here is that the plan in the States us just $5.
"Canadians used to be afraid to use their devices when travelling – it was just too complicated and they were worried about their bills,” said Rogers president and CEO Guy Laurence,…
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