OTTAWA – The Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC) announced today it has named Christa Dickenson (above) as its new president and CEO, effective Sept. 12, 2022.
The announcement comes a few months after Colette Watson was named president of Rogers Sports and Media. Watson was CPAC’s president from April 2019 to January 2022, according to her LinkedIn page.
Dickenson is coming to her new role at CPAC from Telefilm Canada where she is executive director and CEO.
“As CPAC celebrates its 30th anniversary on the airwaves this year, Dickenson will work with CPAC’s staff and board on the vision for the…
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CALGARY – Rogers Communications today announced the first members of a new advisory council, which will oversee THINKLab, a National Centre of Technology and Engineering Excellence to be established in Calgary after its proposed merger with Shaw Communications closes.
The Rogers THINKLab is part of a $6.5-billion multi-year commitment to invest in Western Canada once the companies have come together. It “will bring together leaders from academic institutions, developers, and research partners that will foster made-in-Canada technology solutions to benefit consumers and businesses, while fuelling Canadian competitiveness,” a press release explains.
The THINKLab Advisory Council will be responsible for guiding and…
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OTTAWA – Consumer advocacy groups the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the National Pensioners Federation (NPF) today filed a petition to the federal cabinet, asking for the CRTC’s recent decision to approve Rogers Communications’ acquisition of Shaw Communications’ broadcasting assets to be set aside.
If cabinet decides not to set aside the decision, the organizations have asked for the decision to be referred back to the Commission.
“Consumers shouldn’t pay for these mergers,” said John Lawford, executive director and general counsel of PIAC, in a press release announcing the petition was filed. “This Petition is a result of…
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By Ahmad Hathout
LARGE TELCOS ARE recommending the CRTC avoid subsidizing next-generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) networks through a large fund subsidized by the carriers and dedicated to basic telecommunications services, with one large telco fearing such a move would increase the cost of operation with less oversight.
The Commission is currently putting in place the funding mechanism to allow for the installation and upkeep of networks that will drive NG9-1-1 service, which will allow distressed callers to submit texts, photos and videos to first responders. The Commission expects the cost of funding the networks will be $55 million annually over five years.
But in a proceeding…
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Calls for fair, transparent process to sale
By Amanda OYE
TORONTO – Canadians are stressed – even more than usual – about their cell phone bills, a new survey conducted by Pollara Strategic Insights says.
A little over half of Canadians reported “being more stressed than usual about their cell phone bill because of inflation,” a press release announcing the survey results yesterday explains. “When asked about the biggest issues that they have with the telecommunications market, Canadians continued to cite high prices compared to other countries (87%) and the lack of competition in the market (73%).”
This survey was commissioned…
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By Howard Law
THE NEW SEASON of Canadian culture wars is now available from the House of Commons’ second reading of Bill C-11 the Online Streaming Act, the federal Liberals’ digital reboot and seventh iteration of the Broadcasting Act since 1932.
After minor revisions by Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, the Bill C-11 debate promises to be a re-run of last year’s Bill C-10 which drew flak from friends and foes alike and was successfully filibustered by the Conservatives prior to the dissolution of Parliament for the fall election.
Split into three posts, I will cover what Rodriguez says C-11 is about, what its…
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Experience still varies by carrier
LONDON, U.K. – U.K.-based mobile analytics company Opensignal released a new report today, which shows “users at NHL venues in both Canada and the U.S. had a significantly better experience when connected to 5G compared to the overall experience of all users at those arenas.”
The report, authored by Francesco Rizzato, provides analysis of data collected from Opensignal users at and around the 32 NHL arenas (seven in Canada, 25 in the U.S.) from Oct. 1, 2021, to March 29, 2022.
Among the findings highlighted in the report is that experience varied depending on the carrier.
At the…
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TORONTO – Rogers Communications announced today it is now offering 2.5 Gbps symmetrical fibre-powered service in select areas of Ontario, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Rogers says in a press release announcing the launch of the new speeds it is the first to offer 2.5 Gbps symmetrical service, “the fastest internet speeds in Atlantic Canada.”
Customers already subscribed to Rogers’ Ignite Internet Gigabit 1.5 will automatically be upgraded to the new speeds today at no extra cost.
“Access to high-speed internet is critical and we are committed to bringing our fibre-powered network to more communities and neighbourhoods so customers will have access to…
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TORONTO – A proposal for the sale of Freedom Mobile has been presented to the federal government in an effort to ensure Rogers Communications’ acquisition of Shaw Communications is approved.
The Globe and Mail is reporting two unnamed sources confirmed the proposal presented was put forward by rural Internet provider Xplornet Communications.
Multiple proposals for Freedom’s sale have been put to Rogers since Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne released a statement at the beginning of last month saying he would not permit Rogers to acquire all of Shaw’s wireless assets.
Rogers needs approval from ISED, the…
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TORONTO – Rogers Communications today reported its first quarter 2022 financial results, which show total revenue increased 4% to $3.6 billion compared to the same quarter in 2021 and adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $1.5 billion.
“Each of our businesses delivered better revenue and profitability than expected,” said Tony Staffieri, president and CEO of Rogers, during a conference call with investors today.
Wireless revenue grew 3% to $2.1 billion, cable revenue grew 2% to $1 billion and media revenue grew 10% to $482 million, according to a press release announcing the Q1 results.
Total service revenue was reported to have increased by…
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