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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By Denis Carmel
GATINEAU – Following three complaints made by Teksavvy, a competitive telecommunications provider, the Information Commissioner ruled the CRTC did not respect the timelines of the service provider’s requests for information as required by the Access to Information Act.
The rulings – one of which was issued in March and two in April 2022 – were posted on Teksavvy’s blog.
“The time extension was claimed within the initial thirty-day deadline, however, while CRTC successfully demonstrated that an extension under 9(1)(c) could be justified, CRTC failed to respond to the request not only by the statutory due date, but…
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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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Projects are underway in Brant, Dufferin counties; projects in Middlesex, Perth, Dufferin counties completed
BRANT COUNTY, DUFFERIN COUNTY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY and PERTH COUNTY, Ont. — Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) and the Ontario government today announced work is now underway on a SWIFT-funded broadband project by Xplornet Communications in Brant County, Ont., as well as a project by EH!tel Networks in Dufferin County.
In addition, they announced SWIFT broadband projects in Middlesex County have been completed by Start.ca and North Frontenac Telephone Company (NFTC). Projects in Perth County by Mornington Communications and Wightman Telecom are also completed, and Bell Canada has…
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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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SEATTLE – Telus Communications was the fastest mobile operator of Canada’s top providers in the first quarter of 2022, according to mobile and broadband testing company Ookla.
Ookla’s more recent quarterly report, released today, shows Telus had a median download speed of 94.48 Mbps, which was faster than Bell (86.06 Mbps), Rogers (71.7 Mbps), Fido (66.85 Mbps), Videotron (58.82 Mbps) and Freedom Mobile (45 Mbps). (Please see chart above.)
Freedom meanwhile scored the lowest latency score for Q1 2022. Ookla reported Freedom’s median latency was 18 ms, Rogers and Fido’s median latencies were both 23 ms, Telus and Bell were both…
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CALGARY — Shaw Communications today announced its financial results for the second quarter of its 2022 fiscal year, reporting year-over-year decreases in its consolidated revenue, adjusted EBITDA and net income.
For the quarter that ended February 28, 2022, Shaw’s overall revenue decreased by 2% to $1.36 billion, adjusted EBITDA dropped slightly by 0.8% to $632 million, and net income fell 9.7% to $196 million, compared to the same quarter of fiscal 2021.
During Q2 2022, Shaw added 16,892 new wireless customers, consisting of 8,632 postpaid net additions and 8,260 prepaid additions. This is notably less than the company’s…
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QUISPAMSIS, NB — The Canadian Communication Systems Alliance (CCSA) said today it has called on the CRTC to stop Rogers Communications “from shutting down the satellite delivery of television signals to thousands of Canadians living in rural communities and the Far North.”
Just prior to the Commission’s March 24 approval of Rogers’ purchase of Shaw Communications, which includes Shaw Broadcast Services (SBS), “Shaw announced that a critical component of the SBS service, known as HITS-QT Plus, would be shut down by year end,” according to the CCSA’s press release.
The CCSA has been calling on the…
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