RICHMOND HILL, Ont. – The challenges and opportunities presented to cable operators by switched digital video technology was the focus of the SCTE Ontario Chapter Fall Technical Conference, which was themed “Video delivery: Past, present and Future”.
Over 180 were in attendance for the seminars and tabletop trade show.
“This is a very important chapter in cable for a business and technology perspective,” said Joseph Nucara of Adara Technologies during his presentation.
Switched digital video offers a three-to-five times increase in network capacity (whether it’s a 550 MHz plant or even 1 GHz), “without a costly rebuild,” added Nucara….
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Rogers Wireless today announced the next phase of its 3G high speed wireless network and Vision services in 22 Canadian markets.
Earlier this year, Rogers introduced its Vision suite of services in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe. Rogers is the first and only wireless carrier in North America to offer wireless video calling, a service that few use because the number of handsets that can pull it off is still pretty low.
The Rogers Vision suite of services operates on Rogers’ new High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network. HSPA is the latest evolution of GSM, which has become the…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – A pair of independent analyst reports published to investors last week both identified Shaw Communications and Videotron ltée as the two companies best-prepared to bid for wireless spectrum during the advanced wireless spectrum auction in early 2008.
Of course, the rules surrounding the auction have not yet been released (the best we can tell you is that they’ll be out before Christmas) and both sides are busily lobbying. Companies who want AWS to possibly build their own networks like Quebecor (owners of Videotron) or expand nationally like MTS Allstream, want some special breaks in the auction…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Rogers Cable said today it has added popular Greek channel, Mega Cosmos to its digital cable lineup.
From now until November 12th, 2007 Rogers Personal TV customers can preview the Greek programming for free on channel 575.
"Rogers recognizes that many of its customers want multicultural programming and we aim to meet those demands through our ever-expanding multicultural offerings," said David Purdy, Rogers’ vice-president of television, in a release.
Mega Cosmos is Greece’s largest and most popular TV station, adds the release. It offers Greek language entertainment television with 24-hour news programs, sports, movies, dramas, game shows…
Continue Reading
GATINEAU – It’s been a bit of an open secret in Ottawa but today it was made official, Len Katz is the new vice-chair (Telecommunications) at the CRTC.
Also announced today was Peter Menzies’ appointment as a part-time member to the CRTC.
"I am pleased that both Mr. Katz and Mr. Menzies have agreed to join the CRTC," said Heritage Minister Josée Verner in the official release. "Their vast knowledge and experience will play an important role in helping the CRTC carry out its mandate."
Katz (whom Cartt.ca profiled here) has been executive director, broadcasting and telecom at…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – As first reported by Cartt.ca last month, CTV has made its new fall shows Gossip Girl, Big Shots and Pushing Daisies – all from Warner Bros. – to Rogers Cable’s video on demand customers.
The three shows become the first-ever U.S. network series that air on CTV to be made available on VOD. The announcement comes as Pushing Daisies was made available on VOD last week following its series premiere on CTV.
Free, full-length episodes of Gossip Girl, Big Shots and Pushing Daisies are now available 24 hours following their television broadcast on Rogers VOD. Tagged with…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The Canadian Association of Broadcasters will induct nine Canadians into the CAB’s Broadcast Hall of Fame at a special luncheon ceremony on Tuesday , November 6, 2007 at this year’s CAB Annual Convention in Ottawa.
The Hall of Fame recognizes Canadians in private broadcasting or related industries who have achieved outstanding success in helping raise industry standards from a material or humanitarian standpoint.
The inductees who will be honoured at the luncheon are:
Raynald Brière , RNC MEDIA Inc., Montreal, Quebec
Bruce Hogle , retired, Edmonton, Alberta
Harvey Glatt , retired, Ottawa, Ontario
Fred Latremouille , Rogers…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – President and CEO of Standard Broadcasting, Gary Slaight, has been chosen as the recipient of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ 2007 Gold Ribbon Award for Broadcast Excellence.
The award honours outstanding service to Canadian private broadcasting, and recognize exceptional human qualities and practical, innovative achievements that reflect a genuine concern for the highest broadcasting standards, says the association.
“Gary Slaight is an outstanding broadcaster who has built bridges for the radio industry with communities across the country,” said Glenn O’Farrell, president and CEO of the CAB. “Building on the remarkable legacy of his father, Allan Slaight, Gary…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Rogers Wireless on Wednesday announced it planned to increase its presence in the market for Windows Mobile software-powered devices, with the first step being the unveiling of the Palm Treo 750 smartphone and the MOTO Q 9h. Both devices run via Windows Mobile.
The company also said it would give away a free online Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for the HTC S621.
“As Canada’s leader in wireless data services, Rogers has helped turn hundreds of thousands of workers on to the power of wireless e-mail through our global leadership in BlackBerry device penetration,” said Rogers Wireless senior…
Continue Reading
TO SAY 2007 HAS been a year of growth for EastLink is simply a colossal understatement.
So far, the company has acquired Amtelecom Communications, Persona Communications and RuSh Communications – meaning EastLink (or officially, its parent company, Bragg Communications) has more than doubled in size to around 500,000 customers.
No longer just a regional cable concern, Bragg/EastLink is a national force to be reckoned with, with cable and telecom services extending coast to coast.
The company is a pioneer, having launched phone service years before other North American cable companies – to much success – in Nova…
Continue Reading
