Company challenges CRTC on decision not to indulge passive infrastructure debate; seamless roaming
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – When the CRTC asked for comments for its review of the wireless industry—with eyes trained on whether it would force negotiations on access to big wireless networks—a parallel issue emerged in the submissions: How will the regulator deal with the emerging friction between cellcos and local officials when it comes to equipment attachments on municipal infrastructure?
Apparently, not at all. Mid last month, in its decision to force the big three carriers to lease wireless network capacity to regional carriers, the Regulator said…
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VICTORIA — According to Convergence Research Group’s newest “The Battle for the Canadian Couch Potato: OTT and TV” report, based on analysis of more than 50 “over-the-top” streaming services (from over 35 providers), Canadian OTT access revenue grew 35% to reach $2.05 billion in 2020.
Convergence Research estimates such streaming revenue in Canada will grow a further 32% to $2.71 billion in 2021, and reach $3.96 billion in 2023.
“We forecast the almost doubling of annual Canadian OTT access revenue over the period will continue to mostly benefit non-Canadian players,” such as Amazon, Apple, DAZN, and Netflix reads the company’s Continue Reading
By Greg O’Brien
MONTREAL and OXFORD, N.S. – Should the Competition Bureau decide Freedom Mobile must be sold as a condition of Rogers Communications being able to purchase Shaw Communications, count Eastlink founder John Bragg and Quebecor Inc. CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau as interested.
During his company’s first quarter conference call with financial analysts today, Péladeau said the Commission’s new wireless policies, coupled with the potential for Freedom Mobile coming on the market, could mean conditions are right for the company to move beyond its home province.
“We’re pleased with the CRTC decision allowing facilities-based MVNOs, as it confirms the importance…
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SAN JOSE, Calif. and TORONTO — Roku today revealed the first 30 titles in its Roku Originals lineup that will debut on The Roku Channel on May 20, which the company recognizes as Streaming Day in commemoration of the launch of the first Roku streaming player in 2008.
Roku first announced last month it was launching Roku Originals. The first programming available is rebranded content from the company’s Quibi acquisition. The content will be available internationally.
The Roku Originals launch lineup includes scripted series (Die Hart with Kevin Hart, #FreeRayshawn and Reno 911!), documentaries (Blackballed and Big Rad Wolf) and…
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Advisory firms recommend shareholders vote in favour
CALGARY — Shaw Communications announced today two independent proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and Glass, Lewis and Co., have recommended that Shaw’s shareholders vote for the proposed business merger with Rogers Communications announced in March.
The proposed $26-billion purchase deal would see Rogers acquire all of Shaw’s issued and outstanding Class A participating shares and Class B non-voting participating shares.
Shaw says a special shareholder meeting will be held virtually on May 20 at 10 a.m. MT. The purpose of the meeting is for Class A and B shareholders to consider…
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TORONTO — Music rights management organization SOCAN announced today 24 Canadian visionaries will be recognized at this year’s SOCAN Awards for the roles they played in helping to raise the stature of music made in Canada.
“Fifty years ago, they understood the need to protect and amplify Canadian music, giving rise to Cancon. These trailblazers will be awarded the SOCAN Guardian Award for their efforts in preserving and boosting Canadian culture,” reads SOCAN’s press release.
At a time when home-grown music was often considered inferior to foreign records dominating the charts, making it difficult for Canadian artists to get airtime on…
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Rural areas need a single, open access, network
By Joe Hickey
IN A WORLD WHERE many causes are highly politicized, rural broadband access is a cause just about everyone can get behind. With it, Canada can improve rural access to education, healthcare, and economic growth. This is especially important in the wake of COVID-19, which put a glaring spotlight on the digital divide, and made it all the rage to support rural broadband access.
Even major urban telcos seem to be getting on board, with Rogers Communications promising a $1 billion rural broadband fund in its recent proposal to…
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By Howard Law
UNTIL LAST WEEK, PARLIAMENT’S Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage was plodding through the clause-by-clause review of Bill C-10 with no tasty headlines. Perhaps the bill’s revamp of the Broadcasting Act, which would sweep in Netflix, isn’t controversial anymore.
Of course, federal political partisanship is inevitable, as Canadian as bad weather.
And so, we now have the Conservatives’ faux controversy over free expression on social media platforms. In an e-mail blast from CPC MPs across the country, they made their case:
“Recently, the Liberal government introduced Bill C-10 – a bill that would regulate social media websites like Facebook, YouTube, and…
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VANCOUVER and OTTAWA — In response to Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne’s announcement last week the 3500 MHz spectrum auction scheduled for June 15 will not be delayed, independent telecom services provider Novus Entertainment has instead asked for the application process to be reopened.
“Novus would like to propose that the Department of Industry, Science and Economic Development (ISED) simply extend the time allowed for providing an application,” writes Donna Robertson, co-president and chief legal officer of Novus, in a letter sent to Minister Champagne on April 30.
“We would not expect a delay to the auction,”…
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QUÉBEC CITY — In the latest broadband funding announcement from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, a joint investment of $81.36 million made as part of the Canada-Quebec Operation High Speed program will help to deliver high-speed Internet services to 18,200 households in the Outaouais region (north of Gatineau) by September 2022.
The projects, which will be implemented by Cogeco and Xplornet, have a total value of $112.09 million, says the government’s press release.
Cogeco will receive $23.8 million in funding to provide high-speed Internet access to 2,890 households, while Xplornet will receive $57.5 million to connect 15,310 homes.
The municipalities…
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