OTTAWA – Claiming he has a duty to protect the public from new texting fees (!), Industry Minister Jim Prentice has called the CEOs of Bell and Telus to his office to explain an impending wireless pricing change which both companies recently announced.
Beginning in August, both telcos intend to begin charging 15 cents per incoming wireless text message received by customers who are not a part of a data plan and who choose to pay as they go. Rogers, Canada’s largest wireless company, charges no such fee and has not announced plans to do so.
(Ed query: Is…
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TORONTO – News Corp.-owned social network MySpace announced the hiring of Dave Stevens as general manager for MySpace Canada today.
In his new role, Stevens is responsible for overseeing strategy and operations for the MySpace Canada community, which is comprised of more than four million profiles. He will lead the development of content, product and marketing programs, create innovative advertising solutions for brand partners, and build out strategies for driving user engagement and strengthening brand awareness of MySpace Canada. He is based at MySpace Canada headquarters in Toronto and will report to Travis Katz, managing director of international operations…
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TORONTO – Accounting firm Ernst & Young will present its Ontario lifetime achievement award to Rogers Communications founder Ted Rogers this October.
"Ted Rogers drives those around him to succeed. He is passionate about business and his energy drives and inspires those around him to overcome challenges and push for progress," said Dan Cornacchia, national and Ontario director of the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program, in a press release. "With inspiring forethought and vision, Rogers represents the true essence of entrepreneurism. He recognizes opportunities others miss and uses them to build ideas into realities."
With the purchase of…
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TORONTO – Rogers Wireless on Friday announced a variety of voice and data pricing plans for the Apple iPhone 3G set that hits stores on July 11.
Rogers’ monthly plans start at $60 for voice and data combined, but increase to as much as $115 a month for higher-value packages.
Customers are required to sign a three-year contract for all plans.
The Apple iPhone 3G packages will also be offered through Rogers-owned Fido wireless provider. The packages are priced the same, whether provided by Fido or Rogers Wireless.
The iPhone 3G combines all the revolutionary features of iPhone with…
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OTTAWA – Globalive Communications Corp., the Yak-led consortium, which had boasted of becoming Canada’s fourth national carrier, appears to have a gaping hole in the province of Quebec as bidding activity peters out in Canada’s auction for advanced wireless services in the 2 GHz range.
“Globalive has as close to a national license as anyone, but Quebec is a hole for them,’’ says Evan Kelly, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s national communications industry leader. “They’ve backed off. Quebec is one of the regions where there are no multiple parties going after licences anymore, so it seems to have settled.’’
With 135 rounds…
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TORONTO – CBC Radio One this summer will have a new fall line-up that includes two new shows.
“Two new shows, a new timeslot for an audience favourite, and the return of many ratings winners make CBC Radio One the destination for insightful information this fall,” said Chris Boyce, CBC Radio’s programming director. “We’re excited to bring listeners programming that serves their range of passions and interests, from the book lover to the news junkie to the comedian in all of us.”
The show Q, which focuses on the arts, culture and entertainment, will air from 10 a.m. to…
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PHILADELPHIA – Rogers Communications and Cisco said today the big Canadian MSO will use Cisco’s switched digital video system for its Ontario customers.
As Cartt.ca first reported in January, Rogers has already said it will launch the bandwidth-saving technology this year.
With the accelerating rollout of advanced, bandwidth-hungry digital services, such as high-definition and video on demand, SDV helps operators more efficiently utilize bandwidth, while priming their site operations for next-generation advanced services and new revenue-generating opportunities.
Mainly, SDV allows operators to send only requested digital channels to its customers set top boxes, rather than all channels at once….
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TORONTO – The Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA) is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its founding on June 27 – Multiculturalism Day – with a gala awards and entertainment program in Toronto.
The event begins at 7:15 p.m. at the Velma Rogers Graham Theatre, 333 Bloor St. E. Toronto.
It will be taped and broadcast at a later date on Rogers OMNI Television stations.
On hand will be the Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State for Multiculturalism, and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.
The CEMA juried awards presentations will be in made in four categories, plus the Sierhey Khmara Ziniak…
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TORONTO – The Association of Electronic Journalists (RTNDA) announced its new board of directors on Tuesday, after elections were held over the weekend as part of the organization’s national conference in Ottawa.
The newly elected board consists of:
President Cal Johnstone, A-Channel
Vice-President, Radio Jason Moore, CKLW
Vice President, Television Renato Zane, OMNI Television
Treasurer Andy LeBlanc, CTV
International Representative Terry Scott, The Canadian Press
Past President Bob McLaughlin, CP24/CTV
RTNDF President Ken Kingston, CJFX-FM
Awards Chair Michael Fulmes, Global Television
Conference Chair Peter Angione, A-Channel
Atlantic Directors Radio Sheldon MacLeod, CKBW
Television Nancy Waugh, CBC Television
Central Directors…
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OTTAWA – RTNDA Canada (The Association of Electronic Journalists) presented awards to the national winners for the best in electronic journalism in Canada in numerous radio and TV categories at its national awards gala on Saturday night.
The winners are:
Radio
Byron MacGregor Award – Best Newscast Zed 99, Red Deer for Zed 99 6 am News, June 6, 2007 – (Small Market) AM800 CKLW Windsor for The 5am News With Rob Shervill – (Medium Market) Newstalk 1010 CFRB Toronto for The 8 O’Clock News with Dave Agar – (Large Market)
Charlie Edwards Award – Spot News 680 News…
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