OTTAWA – In something of a surprising move, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Navdeep Bains announced Tuesday during Question Period he planned to issue a Policy direction to the CRTC requiring it to improve the affordability of Internet and cellphone services for Canadians.
If this is truly a shift away from market forces and facilities based competition (hard to tell for sure with the legalese), then this could be the most significant shift in the federal government's thinking on telecom in decades.
Even though the CRTC is independent, the government can, according to the Telecommunications Act “issue directions…
Continue Reading
SALMON ARM, BC – Shaw Communications has extended the naming rights for the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm through 2035.
The arena has received significant upgrades as part of the partnership extension, including a new sound system and video wall, which will contribute to enhanced user and fan experience with state-of-the-art equipment, according to Friday’s press release. Shaw will also provide operational contributions annually for the term of the contract.
“Whether it’s to cheer on the Silverbacks, practice their skating skills or celebrate a birthday, the people of Salmon Arm have been drawn to Shaw Centre for nearly 20 years,” said Shaw’s…
Continue Reading
CALGARY – Freedom Mobile has launched in Victoria, B.C. and Red Deer, AB as it continues to build and expand network coverage.
The Shaw-owned service said Friday that residents in these markets can now take advantage of low introductory pricing for 10GB of data and unlimited Canada-wide talk and text, as well as access to Freedom Wi-Fi at over 100,000 hotspots across Western Canada.
Freedom Mobile added that it will expand to 15 new communities in B.C., Alberta and Ontario this year, in markets including Nanaimo, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Cornwall, Brockville, Belleville and Cobourg, which will provide 1.3 million more Canadians…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Former Corus Entertainment exec Barbara Williams is joining the CBC as its executive vice-president effective May 1st.
In a memo to employees on Wednesday, CBC CEO Catherine Tait described Williams (pictured) as a “veteran media executive with deep knowledge of Canada's ever-changing media landscape”, noting her past roles as EVP and COO at Corus Entertainment, as well as senior positions at Shaw Media and CanWest Broadcasting.
This had been a widely rumoured landing spot since she left Corus at the end of October.
“A visionary leader, Barbara brings with her a wealth of experience with…
Continue Reading
CALGARY – Shaw Communications is crediting technology from Fujitsu Network Communications for helping to boost the capacity and scalability of its fibre-optic network.
Shaw said Tuesday that it has completed its work with the Fujitsu 1FINITY platform and Virtuora software. The Fujitsu 1FINITY T310 Transport and 1FINITY L100 Lambda series blades combined with the Virtuora Network Control Solution provided Shaw with a modular, programmable, optical networking solution to enhance network utilization, capacity and performance, and were well suited to help Shaw achieve its connectivity goals, reads the news release. The Virtuora solution offers software-defined network control capability,…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – As talk of Canadian broadcasters battling Netflix and needing online scale dominated last week’s Prime Time conference, spare a thought for kids TV producers also struggling to reach audiences on tablets, smartphones and TV Everywhere.
It turns out a combination of streaming VOD services buying up high end kids fare to entice new subscribers and reduce churn, and the global explosion of YouTube and user-generated content is putting the squeeze on kids content creators.
"The trend is the middle is going away. You're either producing something very high cost, industrial, or entering the space by doing something low cost…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The CRTC has waded in to an ongoing dispute between the city of Calgary and a group of big telco carriers over a municipal rights-of-way bylaw and a proposed municipal consent and access agreement (MCAA).
The Commission said Friday that it was turning down an application by the city seeking a declaration and determination that certain telecommunications carriers may rely upon Calgary’s rights-of-way bylaw for the performance of their obligations under section 43 of the Telecommunications Act, which deals with access to infrastructure.
The decision also approved certain terms and conditions of an MCAA between Calgary and…
Continue Reading
VANCOUVER – Sportsman Channel Canada has replaced World Fishing Network on TV lineups in Canada.
Sportsman Channel Canada, like its U.S. cousins Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network, will feature “the most trustworthy and reputable Canadian experts in the outdoor industry” through programming that includes entertaining and educational hunting, fishing and shooting programs, according to the news release.
The channel is a partnership with Canada's Outdoor Group Media and Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks.
“The launch of Sportsman Channel Canada will undoubtedly prove to be a viewer favorite throughout Canada,” said Outdoor Group Media president Mark Yelic, in the release. “We…
Continue Reading
MONTREAL – With just days to go before Bell Let's Talk Day on January 30, Bell issued a public thank you to the Canadian organizations supporting the initiative and promoting its messages around mental health.
"Everyone's engagement in mental health is crucial to making progress, and we can all join the conversation on Bell Let's Talk Day by sending messages of support to fight the stigma, call for action and directly drive Bell's funding for mental health programs”, said Bell Let's Talk chair Mary Deacon, in the news release. “We're grateful to these leading organizations for encouraging everyone to get engaged in the…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – With a winter storm blowing outside, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association hosted 300 delegates for its third 5G Conference at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
The focus of this year’s event was the tremendous potential for 5G to impact all sectors of the Canadian economy. Delegates were provided with the current status of 5G and what it means for Canada.
Touting Canada’s position as a “4G Superpower”, CWTA president and CEO Robert Ghiz emphasised that Canada is well positioned for the launch of 5G. That said, numerous challenges remain as the next generation of wireless technology ramps up.
Tejas…
Continue Reading
