Search Results for: telus

Cable / Telecom News

Fraser Institute to honour Telus’ Entwistle

VANCOUVER – Telus president and CEO Darren Entwistle is the 2011 recipient of the Fraser Institute’s T. Patrick Boyle Founder’s Award in British Columbia. The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of 80 think-tanks. It gives the award to recognize outstanding achievements in entrepreneurship, the promotion of free markets, and philanthropic support for private-sector, non-profit enterprises. "Darren is very deserving of this honour for his remarkable achievements at Telus”, said Fraser Institute president, Brett Skinner, in Thursday’s announcement. “He has built… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Telus calls on CRTC to “protect Canadian TV viewers”

OTTAWA – Canadian television viewers need protection from the “anti-competitive practices of the large broadcasting companies”, according to Telus. The telco made the comments Wednesday in reference to the “concentration of content ownership” as a result of the recent mergers of Shaw/Canwest and BCE/CTV.  Telus suggested that the CRTC implement safeguards designed “to protect consumer choice and competitive pricing” as the Commission prepares to examine the issue of vertical integration at a hearing scheduled to begin on June 20, 2011. Telus’ proposed safeguards include:– Distributors should not withhold content from competitors in order to prevent anti-competitive programming blackouts;– Preferential… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Independent ‘casters want own framework; Telus wants VFS quashed; collectives want more spending

GATINEAU – The Independent Broadcast Group has called on the CRTC to establish a new, flexible framework for smaller and independent Canadian broadcasters. Appearing before the CRTC last Thursday during the group-based license renewal proceeding, the independents insisted that it’s only fair to provide competitive parity for the unaffiliated broadcasters. “The CRTC needs to be prepared to provide similar or greater flexibility to independent broadcasters within months of this happening to at least maintain some competitive parity in the short term,” said Naomi Zener, director of business and legal affairs at Channel Zero (owners of CHCH, CJNT, Movieola and Silver… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus, union, strike tentative agreement

VANCOUVER – Telus and the Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) have agreed to the terms of a tentative collective agreement covering approximately 12,100 employees across the country. Telus and the TWU said Monday that they will not release further details of the agreement pending finalization of contract language, which is expected to be completed later this week. The TWU did confirmed that it will present the tentative agreement to its membership in the coming weeks and recommend their members vote in favour of it. Telus president and CEO Darren Entwistle described the process of negotiations as “constructive and conducted in a professional… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus to build “real” 4G and fires shot over bow of feds on 700 Mhz auction

VANCOUVER – Telus confirmed Wednesday that in early 2012 the company will launch its ultra-fast Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. LTE technology boasts of download speeds of up to 150 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of up to 70 Mbps. Following field testing in 2011 and the completion of an RFP process currently underway, construction on Telus’ next generation, 4G+ LTE network will begin in the latter half of 2011 in major urban markets across Canada. (Ed note: Ever since the International Telecommunications Union reclassified – downwards – what kind of network could be labelled 4G to include deployed… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Citing big Optik TV growth, Telus to hire 250

CALGARY – Telus announced this week it will hire 250 new employees in Calgary over the next three months to support the growth of its Optik TV and wireless services. By this summer, the new recruits will join the 3,000 Telus employees who already call Calgary and surrounding area home. To help the hiring, the company will host a job fair on Saturday, April 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Telus House Calgary (411 – 1st St. SE). “Optik TV is a game-changer – the customer response has been terrific and, as a result, we’re hiring in Calgary,” said… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus rolls out Facebook TV application in Quebec

RIMOUSKI, QC – Telus customers in Quebec can now browse Facebook from their televisions without missing a minute of their favourite TVshows. The company’s new Facebook application, available free to Optik TV customers, allows subscribers to share what they are watching on their Facebook wall, view status updates, write messages, and display photo albums from Facebook on their TVs in full-screen slide show mode. "We have pulled out all the stops with Optik TV, which reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, inspiration and change. The result is amazing. Seeing is believing," said Clément Audet, VP of consumer marketing, in the announcement…. Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Telus reviews apps on new weekly show

VANCOUVER – Telus is teaming up with producer Blink Media Works on a weekly series featuring a variety of applications (apps) designed to help users go green, find the best deals, manage their money, keep mentally sharp and physically healthy and even stay groovy. Hosted by Mike Agerbo and Maryam Mehrtash, AppTV will launch April 2 on The Cave, followed by airings on CHEK TV, and Sun TV.  Each 30 minute episode promises to include a countdown of the top apps in a different category each week, the inside scoop on the most popular apps and how to use them, plus quick… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus extends support of Japanese relief efforts

VANCOUVER – Telus is extending its support of relief efforts in Japan by offering customers free long distance calls to the country on their wireless devices and home phones through April 30. The company said Wednesday that its customers have already made nearly 40,000 free calls to Japan since it introduced free calling on March 11.  It also encouraged customers to continue to be a part of the relief efforts by continuing to text QUAKE to 45678 to donate $10 to The Salvation Army in Canada, or by texting ASIA to 30333 to donate $5 to The Canadian Red Cross Society, through the end of… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus pledges $22M to Manitoba expansion

OTTAWA – Telus will invest $22 million across Manitoba this year to further expand and enhance its 4G wireless services for consumers, businesses and healthcare providers. The telco said that it will focus on bringing service to more communities and highway corridors in the province, plus strengthen its coverage to include Brandon, Selkirk, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie and Victoria Beach. "Our planned $22 million investment this year in advanced communications technology continues Telus’ proud history of providing Winnipeg with access to telecommunications that are the envy of the world," said Michael Sangster, VP of government relations, in the announcement. "This year,… Continue Reading