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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CALGARY — Rogers for Business announced today it is expanding its fibre-optic network to deepen high-speed connectivity to small and medium-sized businesses, enterprises and public sector customers located in Calgary.
This includes enabling the University of Calgary’s 5G campus, which will support Internet of Things (IoT) research and applications in the areas of energy, smart cities, transportation, and workplace safety, says Rogers’s press release.
Construction of the network, which began last year, is complete for all of downtown Calgary and is now expanding further. Rogers for Business customers will have access to a full range of Internet and fibre packages,…
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By Steve Faguy
IN CANADIAN BROADCASTING’S regulatory system, the industry is represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the broadcasters who always want less regulation, and the interest and artist groups who always want more. These are their demands.
Canadian content
In its commercial radio policy, which the CRTC is reviewing, and what much of this series has been about, the most famous content quota requires 35% of popular music broadcast on Canadian radio stations be Canadian.
Unsurprisingly, major broadcasters want a lower quota. They have taken aim at this particular bullseye before. The Canadian Association of Broadcasters proposes 25%. For…
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Uvagut TV restricted from rebroadcasting Baffinland mine hearing sessions
IGLOOLIK, Nunavut — Uvagut TV, Canada’s first all-Inuit-language TV channel, has been ordered by the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) not to rebroadcast a public hearing on Baffinland Iron Mine’s Mary River Phase 2 development proposal, according to a letter shared today with Cartt.ca by Nunavut Independent Television Network (NITV), one of the channel’s backers.
Uvagut TV launched January 18 and two days later announced it would broadcast live coverage of the Baffinland mine hearing.
From January 25 to February 6, Uvagut TV broadcast the NIRB’s environmental hearing live from Pond…
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