Dear Editor,
ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. asserts that the primary policy objective of the CRTC should be to lessen Canadian protection and facilitate an accelerated importation of foreign channels.
Well, the fastest and most economically efficient way to accomplish that would be to cease protecting Canadian cable companies from U.S. distributors like Comcast and DirecTV.
However, that would be against the law – and would trigger a precipitous dismantling of our once-proud broadcasting system.
Canada is the only country in the world that competes 24 hours a day, and live, with the behemoth U.S. entertainment machine.
We have a unique…
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TORONTO – The CRTC has been told by VisionTV’s owner S-VOX that a mandatory basic package consisting predominantly of Canadian channels is a must in order to preserve the diversity of the entire system.
S-VOX called for rules to ensure that Canadian content providers hold "pride of place" within the country’s television system, says its press release
S-VOX operates the analog multi-faith channel VisionTV, as well as two digital services: One: the Body, Mind & Spirit channel and The Christian Channel.
The submission follows on the heels of a proposal to the CRTC by Rogers Communications and other cablecos…
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KELOWNA – The third annual, two-day CommTech Canadian trade show and seminars will take place at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna, B.C. on May 14 and 15, 2008.
And, as an added feature, a golf tournament has been added for May 13.
Organizers are now calling for Technical Papers. The application form with speaker information is required prior to December 15, 2007.
It is anticipated that the further expanded trade show will attract over 50 exhibitors from Canada and the U.S. Exhibitor tables, passport/event program advertising opportunities and sponsorship packages are now available.
Cable companies, telcos, subcontractors, telecommunications…
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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….
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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WATERLOO — Research In Motion on Monday unveiled the BlackBerry Pearl 8130, the first BlackBerry Pearl smartphone to run on CDMA networks. The development means that Bell and Telus can offer the product in Canada, along with Sprint in the United States.
Previous versions of the Blackberry, based on GSM, could only be offered by Rogers.
The latest model comes with new features including a new software interface, rich multimedia capabilities, built-in GPS and support for high-speed EV-DO networks.
“With its unique blend of functionality and design, the BlackBerry Pearl smartphone has been turning heads and winning praise from business…
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