By Ahmad Hathout
Wholesale-based internet service providers are asking the CRTC to revisit rates it set for access to the last-mile fibre networks of the largest telcos, claiming they’re too high to compete against those same telcos that are simultaneously undercutting them in the market.
In April, the regulator finalized the rates for access to the fibre networks of Bell, Telus and SaskTel (cable companies are exempt from this regime). The final rates for that access are similar to the interim rates the CRTC established in November 2023, which drew statements from wholesale-based competitors that warned this could…
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By Ahmad Hathout
The head of Rogers said Wednesday that priority lanes of traffic on its 5G wireless network, via network slicing, “continues to be an opportunity and in play” to drive higher value on its premium plans.
In April, Rogers launched the 5G+ Ultimate plan, which includes unlimited high-speed data, up to 2 Gbps speeds, roaming in up to 64 global destinations, unlimited calling to 27 countries, free access to Rogers Satellite for 24 months, and priority network access that gives subscribers front-of-the-line access to the fastest speeds available, even during peak times.
“If you look to each…
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Telus announced Wednesday changes to its executive leadership as part of the company’s move to consolidate its telecom businesses to drive sustainable growth.
“This reorganization is designed to drive enhanced customer service, align capital and resources to the highest margin products, services and customer segments, and realize operational efficiencies across the organization,” Telus said in a press release.
Effective Sept. 1, former Telus senior executive David Fuller will rejoin the Vancouver-based telecom as executive vice president and group president, overseeing all of the company’s core telecom business units, including Consumer Solutions and Business Solutions. Fuller previously served as…
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Calling it a “major milestone,” Bell announced Wednesday the completion of construction of its first sovereign direct-to-device satellite ground station, located in Quebec.
Testing has begun at the facility, which connects with AST SpaceMobile’s growing constellation of satellites, Bell said in a press release.
“Once operational, the site will form part of the Canadian infrastructure supporting direct-to-device satellite service, enabling the integration of AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular broadband network with Bell’s terrestrial network,” reads Bell’s press release.
Building on Bell and AST SpaceMobile’s successful demonstrations announced last October, Bell recently completed integration testing, including…
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The CRTC is asking the major telecoms to provide updates on their subscriber numbers, both in and out of their operating territories, as well any network upgrades they have made — part of the regulator’s monitoring of market conditions following the final wholesale internet access framework from August 2024.
In a July 10 letter sent to incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) Bell, Telus and SaskTel and cable carriers Rogers, Videotron, Cogeco and Eastlink, the CRTC asks for by-province summaries of the carriers’ total retail residential wireline internet subscribers — including standalone, those bundling a…
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By Ahmad Hathout
Telus said in an application to the CRTC that it intends to temporarily lock all of its devices for a 60-day period beginning July 30 to stop what it claims is increasing incidents of theft.
“Given the magnitude of the ongoing public safety crisis and the unrecoverable financial harm being sustained daily, TELUS advises the Commission that it intends to implement a temporary 60-day device lock on all new device activations on July 30, 2026,” the Vancouver-based telecom said in a Part 1 application, made public Wednesday.
The temporary move is intended to last as long as the CRTC…
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Telus, Scotiabank, Sun Life and AI technology firm Lightworks on Tuesday announced the launch of the AI Consortium, bringing together some of Canada’s largest regulated organizations to build shared capabilities to develop, govern and scale AI safely and responsibly.
Open to qualifying organizations, the consortium “enables members to pool hands-on engineering, conduct deep research and align interests to jointly build and govern mission-critical AI control systems and intellectual property they would otherwise develop independently, with resulting IP deployed individually and available to members through perpetual-use and ownership rights,” reads a Tuesday press release.
The…
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The CRTC on Tuesday launched a proceeding requiring Bell, Telus and Rogers to show cause why fees they have introduced recently are not in violation of the telecom regulator’s prohibition on activation and modification fees, which came into effect on June 12.
The proceeding, open to comments from the public, is being launched following CRTC warnings to Bell over its new $40 device handling fee, to Telus over its $15 SIM purchase fee, and to Rogers over its $40 device setup fee — charges…
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By Connie Thiessen
As excitement around the FIFA World Cup continues to grip audiences, Stingray is attempting to unite global soccer fans with the launch of a new pop-up music channel dedicated to the world’s biggest sport.
Running through July 31, with launch dates varying by platform, Stingray Soccer Anthems features “the world’s most iconic stadium songs, global hits, and fan-fueled chants that define the spirit of the game.”
Tailored to local audiences, outside Canada and the U.S., the channel will be branded as Stingray Himnos del Fútbol in Mexico and Spain, and Stingray Hinos de futebol in Brazil.
Musical selections will span…
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A week after questioning Rogers about its new device setup fee and other charges to customers, the CRTC has sent the wireless giant a new letter asking about its intention to add a $5 monthly charge to its customers’ bills starting next month.
“I have been informed today that Rogers Communications Canada Inc. (Rogers) informed its mobile wireless customers through a note on their billing statement that it intends to add a $5 monthly charge to their mobile wireless customers’ bills as of 15 July 2026, calling it…
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