OTTAWA – The divestitures proposed by Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications to gain approval for their proposed merger will not prevent “substantial” lessening of competition, according to the Commissioner of Competition.
As Cartt.ca reported earlier this week, the Competition Bureau has filed applications with the Competition Tribunal to prevent Rogers from acquiring Shaw due to the impact it believes the merger will have on wireless competition.
Rogers is currently in the process of divesting of Shaw’s wireless assets after Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne issued a press release at the beginning of March saying he would…
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IQALUIT – Last week, after 16 years of preparation and planning, Inuit TV finally launched on Shaw Direct on channel 268.
“This is history in the making,” said Lucy Qavavauq (pictured above with her son, Inuuki Burke), co-CEO of Inuit TV, in an interview with Cartt.ca.
“This is very celebratory – not only for Inuit but for the rest of Canada… to be able to see what our beautiful culture is.”
The idea for the channel emerged because there was not much “unique content – not as much as Inuit wanted,” Qavavauq said, explaining “things started moving from there.”
Dedicated volunteers brought the…
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CRTC called out for “vague”, “unenforceable” safeguards
OTTAWA – Telus, Bell, Independent Broadcast Group (IBG), and the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance Inc. (CCSA) have each filed separate comments in support of the National Pensioners Federation and Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s (NPF-PIAC) petition to the Governor-In-Council, asking for the CRTC’s recent decision to approve Rogers Communications’ acquisition of Shaw Communications’ broadcasting assets to be set aside or referred back to the Commission.
(Cartt.ca obtained copies of the submissions from PIAC and Bell.)
Whittled down to its core, the argument put forth in NPF-PIAC’s petition and the submissions made in support of…
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Officially filed application to Competition Tribunal seeking to block the merger
GATINEAU – The Competition Bureau has filed applications to prevent Rogers Communications from acquiring Shaw Communications, in part due to its findings that competition has already taken a hit since the announcement of the proposed merger.
“Following an extensive investigation, the Bureau determined that competition between Rogers and Shaw has already declined,” a press release says. “The Bureau’s position is that if the proposed merger is allowed to proceed, that harm will continue and may worsen.”
The investigation found before the merger was announced, “Shaw planned to enter new wireless…
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TORONTO – Early Saturday morning, Rogers Communications issued a press release saying it was notified that the Commissioner of Competition will file applications to the Competition Tribunal opposing the company’s proposed $26 billion purchase of Shaw Communications.
Despite that, the two companies said in the release they remain committed to the deal and they are engaged in sale process for full divestiture of Freedom Mobile to maintain strong fourth carrier. Both Xplornet and Quebecor are rumoured to be in negotiations to buy Shaw’s wireless assets.
“Rogers and Shaw remain committed to the transaction, which is in the best interests of Canada…
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WHITEHORSE – Northwestel announced today at the Arctic Indigenous Investment Conference in Whitehorse it is selling its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) assets in Yukon to a group of 13 Yukon First Nations development corporations.
“For the first time in Canada, the vast majority of a province or territory’s in-community fibre assets are now Indigenous-owned,” according to a Northwestel press release.
As part of a new partnership called the Shared Pathways network, Northwestel will make “regular payments for the fibre network’s full use for 20 years, guaranteeing direct economic benefits to participating Yukon First Nation communities for decades. Northwestel will operate and maintain the network…
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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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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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