AHMAD HATHOUT’S ARTICLE in the 27 April 2022 edition of Cartt.ca reports on the Commission’s proceeding looking into the possibility of subsidizing 9-1-1 services in Canada, more specifically the latest evolution of 9-1-1: NG9-1-1 service.
In 2017, five years ago, the Commission determined that Canada should migrate from E9-1-1 to NG9-1-1. In its landmark decision on the matter Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-182, the Commission designated all Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers – small and large ILECs alike – as NG9-1-1 network providers. These companies are under no less than a condition of service, imposed via section 24 of the…
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By Peter Menzies
THIRTY-SIX YEARS AGO last week, the Calgary Flames scored one of their most famous triumphs – a 3-2 Game 7 playoff victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Edmonton Oilers.
Back then I was sports editor of the Calgary Sun and that playoff run to the finals (Calgary lost to Montreal in 5) dominated my days. But by night I was secretly just as excited that by June I’d be in Mexico covering Canada’s debut at World Cup ’86.
In Canada, being a proper football fan has been a pretty lonely, often mocked, existence. Sports departments considered soccer merely…
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OTTAWA – Bell and Telus fired back at Rogers over the telecom’s claim the cross-band spectrum caps proposed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for the upcoming 3800 MHz spectrum auction are “wildly anti-competitive”.
As Cartt.ca reported last month, comments submitted to ISED’s Consultation on a Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 3800 MHz Band, shows the country’s telecoms are divided on which, if any, pro-competitive measures should be adopted for the upcoming 3800 MHz spectrum auction.
Rogers submitted initial comments to the consultation claiming a proposal by ISED to introduce cross-band spectrum caps (which would…
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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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