GATINEAU – The CRTC’s proposal to include broadband as part of the basic service objective (BSO) for telcos is getting lukewarm support, at best. The Commission proposed the idea in a broad consultation on a variety of telecom matters, referred to as the “Obligation to Serve” proceeding.
MTS Allstream Inc. and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) are two that have said making broadband part of basic service would represent a logical extension of the current regime. Presently the BSO only applies to local voice services.
“Including broadband access in the Commission’s universal service objective would also recognize the…
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GATINEAU – While wireless incumbents and newcomers vehemently disagree on future auction rules, both say Industry Canada has to get a move on, and make the decisions required to open up more spectrum for more bandwidth and more products and services.
The federal government’s digital economy consultation elicited many different opinions and recommendations on how to proceed with respect to creating the right frameworks and policies going forward. But many took the opportunity to complain about current regimes.
Such was the case with Canada’s largest wireless carriers. They are using the federal government’s digital economy consultation to wail about…
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GATINEAU – Citing “serial abuse” by Shaw Communications, Telus has reiterated its demand for immediate interim relief from the CRTC over the Calgary-based cableco’s tactics when customers want to switch from Shaw Cable or Shaw Direct to Telus’ Optik TV.
It did so while lamenting the Regulator’s decision to extend and expand CRTC 2010-406, the call for comments on the customer transfer process and related competitive issues, the very thing Telus (and others) want solved. Now. As reported by Cartt.ca, the Commission (prodded by Rogers Communications) decided to extend the deadline for comments on the proceeding because it…
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FEW FEEL THE turmoil in our industry like independent communications companies.
They lack the resources of the national cable, satellite and telco carriers and are quite small by comparison, of course – but their customers expect similar options (prices, services, broadband speeds, etc) that they see advertised by those big companies. Those independents also have to deal with the same regulatory and legislative change, negotiate contracts with programmers and others, and keep on top of the latest tech trends and new business opportunities, too.
Which is the reason why the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance exists and thrives. Working collectively, the…
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TORONTO – While one wireless company is warming up its lawyers in response to the launch of chatr by Rogers Communications, another was welcoming it to the Canadian wireless scene (once such a placid, “rational” playground with three big player, which has become one still with those three biggies, but with many more little guys kicking them in the knees).
To Mobilicity’s COO Stewart Lyons, however, chatr is illegal: A low-price brand formed by Rogers whose only goal is to put his company out of business. Company founder John Bitove threatened legal action when news of chatr leaked out,…
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TORONTO – The official press release didn’t mention the big red machine, but Rogers Communications today officially unveiled its new brand, chatr wireless.
Offering Canadians unlimited talk and text “on a trusted network,” is the closest the release got to mentioning Rogers, “chatr will offer cost certainty with zone-based plans including unlimited talk for just $35 per month and unlimited talk and text for just $45 per month, without term contracts,” reads the release.
The service will be available in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and soon in Montreal with future plans for other Canadian markets.
The brand is an offensive by…
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TORONTO – In a little over two weeks, Canadians (assuming carriage agreements are in place…) will have another TV sports option to pick from.
Rogers Communications today announced Rogers Sportsnet One, a new sports specialty that will feature over 800 hours of live events, all in high definition, will launch August 14th.
The national live-event line-up features the Toronto Raptors, National Basketball Association, the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Major League Baseball and Barclay’s Premier League.
This also marks the return of pro basketball to Sportsnet. Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet One and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment have signed a deal to…
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BURNABY, B.C. – Revenue, operating income and net income all rose in the second quarter for wireless retailer Glentel.
Consolidated sales for the three months ended June 30, 2010 grew 16% compared to the second quarter of 2009, to $79 million while income before interest, taxes and amortization for the three months was $7.7 million, a 43% increase. compared to $5,408,000 in 2009. Operating income and net income also rose significantly.
"We are delighted with the significant growth in our net income for the quarter," stated Thomas Skidmore, Glentel’s president and CEO. We continue to grow in sales and profitability in…
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TORONTO – Cost efficiencies and revenue growth helped to drive margin expansion at each of Rogers Communications’ three divisions during the second quarter of fiscal 2010, ended June 30.
Adjusted operating profit rose 11% to $1.2 billion as overall revenue grew 5% to $3 billion, compared to Q2 2009. Net income came in 21% higher at $451 million.
Wireless data revenue growth came in at 39%, while cable total service units (cable + Internet + home phone) grew 25,000 more than the second quarter of 2009.
The company’s media’s portfolio (radio, TV, magazines) posted an 8% revenue increase which, combined with cost…
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BALTIMORE – The Mobile Devices and Home business of Motorola announced today its switched digital video (SDV) portfolio will now be available to independent video operators as a hosted solution operated from Motorola’s Secure Operations Center in San Diego.
The hosted SDV solution will enable independent operators to achieve the same bandwidth efficiencies from SDV as their larger MSO counterparts who have onsite SDV operations, according to the company.
Hosted SDV enables operators to make niche channel content available to their subscribers without committing dedicated bandwidth to those channels. It utilizes the same core components as a traditional SDV architecture to…
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