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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TORONTO – Rogers received 113,655 requests for customer data from federal agencies in 2014, down more than 61,000 from nearly 175,000 requests in 2013, the company disclosed Thursday in its second Transparency Report.
Rogers credited the decrease in requests to modifications that it made to its disclosure policy last June requiring a court order, warrant or equivalent (except in emergencies) for all requests. The company said that it made those changes in response to customer concerns and after further review of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of R v Spencer.
The report says that Rogers fully complies…
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TORONTO – After offering up a free two year Spotify Premium subscription last week, Fido threw its wireless customers another bone Tuesday with new plans that include exclusive content from Vice Canada.
The new plans, known as Fido Pulse, include a news and culture service called the Daily Vice available at 8:00 AM ET Monday-Friday in English and French. Daily Vice will also dedicate an episode every Saturday to an in-depth interview with one of Canada’s top news or cultural figures.
The first episode of Daily Vice aired Tuesday and featured a sit-down interview between Vice founder Shane Smith and Liberal Party Leader…
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