OTTAWA — The Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS) reported early Tuesday a 12% decrease in the number of complaints it received from Canadian telecom and TV customers between August 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020, following a 44% increase for that same six-month period last year.
The CCTS accepted a total of 8,621 complaints in the time frame and resolved 90% of all complaints. There were 46 confirmed wireless code breaches, five TV service provider code breaches and three deposit and disconnection code breaches.
The main contributors to the decline were Cogeco and Bell, with Cogeco recording a 75%…
Continue Reading
By Greg O’Brien
“THERE’S A WASTE OF two hours,” was my thought after listening to the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on Thursday evening.
Not just my own time. Everyone’s.
The meeting notice said only that the INDU committee was looking at the Canadian response to the Covid-19 pandemic, but with a witness list of Jay Thomson, CEO of the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance; Ian Stevens, CEO of independent broadband provider Execulink; Andy Kaplan-Myrth, vice-president, regulatory and carrier affairs at TekSavvy; two rural politicians – Steve Arnold, mayor of St. Clair Township and Rob Gay, the board chair of the…
Continue Reading
By Denis Carmel
GATINEAU – On December 10, 2019, the CRTC opened a new proceeding to examine potential barriers to the deployment of broadband-capable networks in underserved areas in Canada, such as support structures and the cost of access to transport networks.
It identifies two issues that might help accelerate the rollout of broadband”: In this regard, identifying barriers to extending transport networks and accessing support structures, while considering regulatory steps to address such barriers, could simultaneously help to reduce the costs associated with extending broadband networks and serve to improve Canadians’ access to high-quality telecommunications services,” the CRTC document…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – In the middle of March, Rogers Communications was asked to prepare a document by Innovation, Science and Economic Development that floated ideas for how governments could potentially help enhance network capacity if needed, including mobilizing temporary wireless sites, fast-tracking permit applications and allowing access to rights-of-way for emergency fibre installs.
The example measures, obtained by Cartt.ca through an access to information request, was in response to one of several questions asked of Canadian telecommunications companies by the federal department in the event the virus strained networks – and before the full effect of what the virus…
Continue Reading
Licensing of business could be “lucrative,” says CEO Entwistle
By Ahmad Hathout
VANCOUVER – Telus CEO Darren Entwistle said there is an opportunity for the company to reach global markets with the proprietary health business it has built over the years, as the company reports a massive surge in demand for its virtual healthcare applications this year.
The Vancouver-based telecom has invested over $2.5 billion over 10 years toward digital progress in the Canadian healthcare space, building a portfolio of products including electronic prescription business PrescribeIT, medical information sharing service MedDialog, and virtual healthcare applications Akira and Babylon.
Now, it’s beginning to reap…
Continue Reading
QUESNEL, B.C. – Telus has acquired independent broadband, wireless, telecom and TV provider ABC Communications, Cartt.ca has learned. The company is said to be the largest privately-held telecom provider in the province. The deal closed on May 1st.
Founded originally as an office telephone supplier 1989 in Quesnel, B.C., where its head office remains, in 1994 ABC was one of the first companies to offer Internet in the province. While not well known in the east, the company’s operations are province-wide.
Its wireless network includes over 200 transmitter sites across the province. ABC provides broadband service to customers in remote and…
Continue Reading
VANCOUVER — Telus will focus on helping the Covid-19 pandemic during its Telus Days of Giving activities this year.
The company is also hoping to inspire Canadians to give back in their own way and share their acts of giving on social media with the hashtag #StayGiving. Telus made the announcement in a news release Monday.
One of the activities Telus is encouraging Canadians to do is to make a mask for themselves or a loved one, with the goal of creating more than 100,000 masks for Canadians.
“For 15 years, our Telus Days of Giving have inspired our extended Telus…
Continue Reading
VANCOUVER – Telus announced today it is extending its program of crediting health care workers for two months of free wireless service from Telus or flanker brand Koodo to front line workers in B.C. working with Vancouver Coastal Health and the Fraser Health Authority.
The company previously launched this in Ontario and Quebec and will soon do so in Alberta, says the press release.
“The incredible strength, resiliency and compassion our remarkable frontline healthcare workers have demonstrated during this public health crisis is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Darren Entwistle, president and CEO, in the company press release. “One…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – This week the City of Toronto said it has partnered with a number of technology and telecommunications companies to provide free temporary connectivity for many vulnerable Torontonians.
The partnerships will provide free internet access for residents in lower-income neighbourhoods, seniors in long-term care homes and clients in many city-operated shelters during the Covid-19 crisis, said the city’s press release.
While the city encourages Torontonians to stay home as much as possible, citizens need to be connected in order to be informed, to find out about pandemic support services, emergency income supports and to stay in touch with family and…
Continue Reading
VANCOUVER – Telus announced this week Goodnight With Dolly, legendary singer/actor Dolly Parton’s new series of Imagination Library bedtime stories for children, is now available on Optik TV.
Snuggled in her bed, Dolly Parton narrates ten inspiring childhood books aimed at bringing positivity, love, and hope to viewers during these challenging times. The first five episodes are now available for free on Optik TV, with the remaining episodes being rolled out weekly for five additional weeks alongside Imagination Library, Dolly Parton, World Choice Investments, and Dollywood channels, explains the Telus press release.
“This is something I have been wanting to do…
Continue Reading
