THE TECHNOLOGY IS the easy part. Everything else is maybe just a bit frustrating.
The regulatory landscape for voice over Internet protocol, Vonage Canada’s raison d’etre, may be changing underfoot and the company has had its share of scrapes with incumbent telcos and cable companies. A particularly bitter one with Shaw Communications is still active in the courts and in front of the Commission, as we’ve reported.
Through it all, Vonage’s chief Canadian executive, president Bill Rainey, seems pretty upbeat. The former Group Telecom and Telus executive and manager is convinced he can beat the bundle being…
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CALGARY – While the company that bears his name posted another strong quarter and is quickly closing in on 200,000 phone customers, Shaw Communications founder and chairman JR Shaw was again asked about rumors that the company would be sold during Friday afternoon’s conference call with financial analysts.
Pointing out that the family has been very active purchasers of Shaw shares, the chairman added, "The family is very content with the ownership that they have… We have no intention of doing anything with this property, or any other properties that we have, on an exit basis… Someone asked me…
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LONDON – Coverage of the Bandido biker murders near Shedden, Ont., helped Fanshawe College student Katie Simpson win the Broadcast Educators Association 2006 president’s award for Spot News Coverage, sponsored by MediaIntelligence.ca.
"Katie Simpson is the first of a new breed of broadcast journalism student," said Jim Van Horne, professor, broadcast journalism, at Fanshawe. "Katie is a part of our first graduating class of a collaborative program between the University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College (both are in London, Ont.)."
Her talent has "been recognized by Corus Entertainment," added Van Horne. "She has been employed at AM 980…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications has joined a campaign to promote customer safety and security online as it partners with the Microsoft Security Response Alliance.
Shaw is supporting the alliance’s week-long campaign this week by offering advice on its www.start.shaw.ca Web page about how to protect their identities, information and computers. Shaw is the only Canadian communications company to participate.
Information includes steps to protect people from online predators; avoid identity theft, spam, and credit card fraud; and protect their PC from spyware and other threats.
"Shaw is excited to be partnering with the Microsoft Security Response Alliance for the…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications has taken its battle with Internet phone company Vonage to court.
Today, Shaw filed the latest in a series of court documents with respect to a claim against Vonage Canada in the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, Calgary, "to set the record straight on its digital phone service and its quality of service enhancement," says the company’s press release.
Shaw offers a voluntary fee of $10 a month to Shaw High Speed Internet customers who get their phone service from third party providers such as Vonage. Shaw says the fee is to guarantee quality of…
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SASKATOON – Shaw Communications has let go Bob Anderson, its regional manager for the Prairie province, reports CJWW radio.
Anderson has been with Shaw for 16 years. An e-mail sent to Shaw Communications president Peter Bissonnette by Cartt.ca on Wednesday afternoon was not immediately returned.
Shaw’s Saskatchewan TV market has been hard hit of late by provincial telco SaskTel, which at the end of 2005, had over 42,000 customers for its MaxTV service.
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CALGARY – On the face of it, Shaw Communications purchase of Pemberton Cable, announced late Wednesday, is small potatoes.
But, if you consider that Pemberton Cable’s owners have a license to build a cable system into mega-popular resort town, Whistler – home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games – then the deal becomes something else altogether.
Pemberton Cable currently operates the cable and Internet systems located in Pemberton, B.C., 30 kms north of Whistler.
"We are truly delighted with the acquisition of Pemberton Cable" said Peter Bissonnette, president of Shaw Communications in a release. "This gem of a cable…
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CALGARY – Saltspring Cablevision will be acquired by Shaw Communications, the companies announced this morning. This follows yesterday’s announcement of Shaw’s purchase of Pemberton Cable.
Saltspring Cablevision serves about 1,500 cable and Internet customers on Saltspring Island in B.C., the largest of the Gulf Islands located in the Strait of Georgia between mainland Vancouver and Victoria, B.C.
"Saltspring will also complement our existing cable properties in nearby Victoria and others located on Vancouver Island so that we take advantage of operational synergies with these systems," said Peter Bissonnette, Shaw’s president.
www.shaw.ca
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CALGARY – Residents of Strathmore, AB, can now dial digital with Shaw.
For $55 per month, the primary home line service includes unlimited local and long distance calling within Canada, 1,000 international calling minutes per month, voicemail and call waiting, installation, customer service support, enhanced 911 access, and operator and 411 service.
Shaw is promoting the VoIP service to Strathmore residents with an introductory offer of $29.95 per month for the first three months.
“Our business is built on providing an exceptional customer experience, and our results and customer feedback to date have shown that Digital Phone delivers on…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has told Shaw Cable it has to change its community channel ad policies.
After coming across a rate card and hearing about Shaw Cable selling ad time during Western Hockey League games shown on its community cable channels, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters complained to the CRTC. This month, the Commission sided with the broadcasters.
In the Broadcast Distribution Regulations , cable companies are not allowed to air traditional ad spots and there are limitations on the types of advertising community channels can air. Mainly, cable must stick to general branding or soft-sell…
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