$10 million not enough of a deterrent, Péladeau says
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The maximum fine of $10 million for a first offence available to the CRTC to impose on violators of its rules is not enough for Bell Canada, Quebecor president and CEO Pierre-Karl Péladeau said Tuesday.
“I’m sorry to say this, it’s like a drop of water in the ocean,” he said Tuesday evening in an appearance in front of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, which is studying spending on large projects. “It doesn’t amount to much for a company like them…to delay the competition, it…
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Company chair Edward Rogers lays out Shaw purchase positives for investors
By Greg O’Brien
TORONTO — Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Rogers Communications today reported good results from its first quarter ended March 31, with revenue gains in its cable and media business units, although wireless service revenue was down compared to the same quarter last year.
Of course, there is more news than that orbiting the wireless, broadband, cable and media giant. While the company had so far been mostly mum on the recent new wireless policies announced by the CRTC (where the headline was mandated, regional, facilities-based MVNOs…
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EXTON, PA — The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE), a subsidiary of CableLabs, announced today the appointment of a newly formed board of directors, which includes two Canadian executives.
The new board was approved on April 9 and is led by chairwoman Stephanie Mitchko-Beale, executive vice-president and chief technology officer of Charter Communications. The new board members start their two-year term effective today.
Appointed as secretary of the board is Ron McKenzie, senior vice-president of technical operations at Rogers Communications. The other Canadian board member is Damian Poltz, senior vice-president of wireline technologies and strategy at Shaw Communications.
The 14-member board…
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OTTAWA — In a letter sent today to Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC) is asking for a 90-day delay to the 3500 MHz spectrum auction, which is scheduled to start on June 15.
CNOC’s main objection to having the auction proceed as currently scheduled is that the CRTC’s new wireless policy on mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) — in which it mandates the provision of wholesale facilities-based MVNO access service but only to regional wireless carriers who own spectrum at the Tier 4 level or higher — was released after…
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VANCOUVER – Shaw Communications is teaming up with three talented local artists to create sidewalk murals that will celebrate the first-ever virtual Vancouver Sun Run.
The event supports Arts Umbrella, a local organization which aims to inspires the next generation of artists and creators.
Commissioned by Shaw, artists Carrielynn Victor (she and her mural is above), Grace Gihm, and Andrew Tavukciyan are producing three inspiring murals that reflect the Sun Run’s community spirit and evoke a sense of unity and belonging when we are physically unable to come together to celebrate, says the press release.
From April 18-30, the original artworks can…
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CRTC focuses on accelerating regional carrier network builds. Eyes now on Cogeco if regulatory conditions satisfy mobile entry
By Ahmad Hathout
GATINEAU – In requiring the country’s largest telecommunications companies to negotiate access to its wireless network with regional carriers, the CRTC has signaled its desire to bolster the fourth players and help accelerate the expansion and deployment of those networks, the Commission’s head Ian Scott said Thursday.
But the Regulator will not require those regional carriers to come to commercial arrangements with smaller players on that leased capacity, with Scott only saying they are permitted to do so.
In essence, Thursday’s decision…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications today launched what it’s calling Gig Wi-Fi to give customers “the faster speeds, lower latency, and more consistent Wi-Fi signal they need to connect all their devices.”
Available today, the new level of service takes advantage of the Shaw Fibre+ Gateway 2.0 modem, its “new Wi-Fi 6-certified modem capable of delivering gigabit Wi-Fi download speeds in the home” and allowing for many more devices to be used at the same time, says the release.
“As Western Canadians continue incorporating more connected technology in their home to work, game and stream, they may be surprised that having dozens…
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GATINEAU – The CRTC today decided to mandate mobile virtual network operators for the Canadian wireless market – as long as companies who want to be one already own and operate network facilities and Tier 4 or higher (3, 2, 1) spectrum.
The Commission is calling it “wholesale facilities-based MVNO access service” and the decision also makes it clear this new “wholesale roaming policy applies to fifth-generation (5G) networks. This confirmation is important to help ensure that competition can continue to grow as the mobile wireless service market evolves to 5G.”
In short, that means companies with existing facilities like…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications announced Thursday its consolidated revenue increased by 1.8% to $1.39 billion in the second quarter ended February 28, 2021, as compared to the prior year’s Q2.
Its adjusted EBITDA increased 6.2% year-over-year to $637 million and net income increased 29.9% to $217 million. Second quarter results do not include any costs or financial impacts from the proposed transaction with Rogers, says the press release.
The company did not hold a conference call with financial analysts and the messaging in its press release was heavy on the merger.
“Our country has been a leader in building and operating…
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GATINEAU — Cartt.ca readers will be glad to know the CRTC’s new wireless policies will finally be released this week, with mandated mobile virtual network operators (will they or won’t they?) undoubtedly the biggest item of interest among telecom providers, big and small.
A Commission spokesperson confirmed the policy decision will be issued at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 15 (i.e., after the stock market closes).
It’s been a long wait, seeing as the Commission first announced the wireless policy review proceeding back in February 2019, held a public hearing in February 2020 and final submissions were in July…
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