MONTREAL – Videotron and Rogers announced an agreement late Wednesday to bring LTE to even more customers in the province of Québec and the Ottawa region.
Under a new 20-year agreement, the two companies will pool their efforts to quickly build out and operate a shared LTE wireless network, the most advanced wireless technology in the world. This network will deliver an optimal user experience for consumers and businesses in both key markets (and perhaps let Videotron launch the iPhone, which does not work on its current AWS spectrum).
In addition to the network sharing agreement, Videotron and Rogers have also…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications’ satellite TV division Shaw Direct announced today it has added more than 120 new HD channels to its channel lineup.
The launch, thanks to Telesat’s newest bird, the Anik G1 satellite, gives Shaw Direct customers the most HD channels in Canada, says the company, delivering more than 210 HD channels to its customers.
In addition to the HD channel launch, Anik G1 also allows Shaw Direct to expand its programming offerings to include more local Canadian channels, pay-per-view and Shaw Direct On Demand. "The launch of Anik G1 represents a significant investment by…
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TORONTO – Blue Ant Media announced today that its specialty commercial-free, HD channels HIFI, eqHD and radX will be available to Shaw Cable customers in a free preview until July 4, 2013. Shaw Direct customers will also have access to Blue Ant’s channels until August 29, 2013.
HIFI, which celebrates music, art and design, is on Shaw Cable channel #249 and on Shaw Direct channel #132 (Classic) and #632 (Advanced). Featuring adventure programming and classic action ,movies, radX can be found on Shaw Cable channel #248 and on Shaw Direct #134 (Classic) #634 (Advanced)….
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MONTREAL – Billing it as a Canadian first, Bell today announced the launch of its new Fibe TV wireless receiver which lets users connect up to six TVs anywhere throughout the home without cable.
The wireless receiver transmitter can be connected to a customer’s home networking modem and works with their main PVR to connect one or more wireless receivers and provide Fibe TV for up to five additional TVs around the home.
“Going wireless means you can…
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NETWORK EXPANSION NEWS
Launches this week:
Shaw to provide public WiFi service for Edmonton
EDMONTON – Shaw Communications announced Thursday that Edmonton city council has given the go ahead to expand Shaw’s Go WiFi network to public areas across the city.
The planned WiFi network will grant wireless in pedestrian-friendly areas of the city, such as LRT stations, facilities and libraries.
The project is expected to take place over the next two years, with new access points being installed continually throughout this period.
www.shaw.ca
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GATINEAU – Bell Canada and Astral Media say the list of new regulatory safeguards it has agreed to should allay any fears the CRTC has of a combined company – and that the deal should be approved.
In its final written submission to the CRTC filed late Tuesday, the companies say they have agreed to “an unprecedented package of regulatory safeguards relating to terms of trade with all independent producers, the negotiation of affiliation agreements (including tied selling, packaging flexibility, and other terms), the no head start rule, the availability of non-linear content, the timing of the Commission’s dispute resolution…
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VANCOUVER – Telus announced Thursday that, pending some government and debtholder approvals, it will acquire Mobilicity for $380 million.
If the deal receives the required approvals, it would ensure continued service to Mobilicity’s 250,000 customers without the risk of disruption, says the press release the companies issued.
Without this deal, Mobilicity would likely end up seeking bankruptcy protection in short order. Of course, it remains to be seen what government thinks of this and whether or not it will grant the request to shift Mobilicity’s spectrum to Telus immediately. DAVE, Mobilicity’s parent company, purchased the spectrum for $240 million in 2008…
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TORONTO – To help advertisers engage more viewers during televised shows, Shaw is unveiling a new promotion this weekend that bypasses the traditional commercial break and makes the ad part of the program’s content.
Viewers watching Showcase’s airing of The Hangover on May 18 at 10 p.m. ET will see the new promotion Shaw is calling “live on screen” integration, which will feature a promotion of Warner Bros upcoming Hangover Part III that’s been seamlessly integrated into scenes of the movie.
Shaw’s director of marketing ventures, Ann-Marie Spurr, likens the ad-in-a-movie integration to a director’s…
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VANCOUVER – Shaw Communications, together with British Columbia's South Asian community, is lending its support to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation by broadcasting the 15th anniversary of A World of Smiles telethon on Sunday May 26, 2013.
The telethon will air live on Sunday, May 26 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and aims to raise money to purchase medical equipment and fund research into childhood disease and caregiver and family education programs. Each year, more than 81,000 children and their families from across the province visit BC Children’s Hospital for highly specialized care.
A World…
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KAMLOOPS, B.C. – The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group announced today it has acquired three FM radio stations owned by Bell Media and Astral located in Calgary and Winnipeg.
Pattison will purchase Bell Media’s Kool FM 101.5 (CKCE-FM) in Calgary, FAB 94.3 (CHIQ-FM) in Winnipeg, as well as Astral’s QX 104 (CFQX-FM) in Winnipeg, pending CRTC approvals.
“With the pending launch of our newest station CHPK-FM (95.3 The Peak) in Calgary, combining forces with KooL FM (Today & Back in the Day) and its great team will allow our group to have a very strong competitive…
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