Telus and Samsung announced Thursday they will build the first commercial 5G virtualized and open radio access network (RAN) in Canada, and they are expanding their existing collaboration from greenfield to brownfield deployments.
Telus selected Samsung as one of its 5G network vendors in June 2020. Their approach to infrastructure deployment “embodies the essence of collaboration, bringing together manufacturers and providers to create a modular, state-of-the-art wireless network,” a Telus press release says.
“It is also one of the first truly virtualized Open RAN deployments within a complex, brownfield network environment,” the…
Continue Reading
Bell says market has ‘never been more competitive’
By Ahmad Hathout
Telus said Wednesday that it should be allowed to use the wholesale internet regime outside of its operating territory, but noted that an unfettered framework without limits will create a disincentive to invest in networks.
Telus took issue Wednesday with being labelled a national “incumbent” because it mainly operates in the west and has few facilities east of its home court, including some in Quebec.
The telco argued that it be given access to the wholesale regime in areas outside of its operating territory because that would boost competition. In contrast, it…
Continue Reading
In late January, the CRTC shot a letter to Telus’s vice-president of telecom policy and chief regulatory legal counsel, Stephen Schmidt, requesting detailed information about the Vancouver-based telecom provider’s proposed March 8 disconnection of home telephone service in an area of Tranquille Valley near Kamloops, B.C.
Having become aware of Telus’s intention to disconnect the service, CRTC staff “is concerned that TELUS’ plans could jeopardize access to telephone services in the Tranquille Valley, and perhaps elsewhere,” the letter said.
“Without reliable alternatives, Canadians in this area would lack access to public safety services…
Continue Reading
Telus said last week the copper-to-PureFibre transition of its network is driving significant sustainability benefits and contributing to Canada’s net-zero targets, having already resulted in a cumulative reduction of more than 7,400 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions since 2018, the Vancouver-based telecom claims.
“This is attributed to the decommissioning of thousands of copper devices and our copper retirement program, where we have recycled or repurposed more than 3,600 tonnes of copper, offsetting the need to mine new copper sources,” a Telus press release says.
“Copper plays a vital role in Canada’s electrification strategy,…
Continue Reading
Company reported 17 per cent higher net income in the quarter
By Ahmad Hathout
Telus executives said Friday they are not satisfied with where their churn numbers are and are seeking to aggressively bundle products to further reduce the rate of defections from the company.
Last month, the Vancouver-based telecom launched its latest version of its Stream+ product, which bundles three popular streaming services. The telecom’s latest version bundles Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video in one package at a reduced rate compared to if a customer were to buy the individual services separately.
Telus executives said Thursday that this…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
The CRTC accepted late last month a request by Quebecor for the regulator to determine a rate for its access to Telus’s wireless network.
The carriers had tried to come to a commercial agreement and a commission-staff-assisted mediation on the rate for access through the mobile virtual network operator framework but could not come to amicable terms.
The regulator will now choose which rate – Quebecor’s or Telus’s – is most appropriate for that access, which will allow the Montreal-based telecom to further expand into new territory.
Telus had opposed going to final offer arbitration (FOA) because the parties were…
Continue Reading
Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson announced Monday it has partnered with Telus to launch and optimize the Canadian telecom company’s 5G standalone (SA) network from coast to coast.
The Telus 5G SA network leverages Ericsson’s 5G Core technologies, delivered through Ericsson’s cloud-native dual-mode 5G Core solution, says an Ericsson press release.
“This network is purpose-built to power the 5G ecosystem,” Jerome Birot, vice-president of platform technology and services at Telus, said in the release. “Our new standalone network provides never-before-seen speeds and low latency to enable the next generation of 5G edge…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
Telus announced Thursday it has launched a new trio streaming bundle for those who want certain streaming services in one package.
The newest edition to the Stream+ roster includes a Stream+ Basic option, which includes Netflix with ads, Disney+ with ads, and Prime Video, all for $20 per month; and a Stream+ Premium option that doesn’t include ads for the former two services for $38 per month.
The bundled package also includes a full membership to Amazon’s Prime fast-shipping service, which comes bundled with the ecommerce giant’s video service. Amazon announced it will be running ads…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
Telus Health has filed a trademark this week for the name Ariel, which is a software platform intended to assist organizations on retirement plan administration.
The downloadable software is for “administrating, promoting, tracking, accessing, displaying data for, and managing human resources programs, employee life and work event transactions as part of human resources management, payroll, employee or group benefits, employee compensation, pension, savings and retirement plans,” according to its filing.
Telus is pitching the software to help streamline the administration of pension and benefits, eligibility, enrollment, and billing.
According to a webpage for the service, it is…
Continue Reading
Telus announced Tuesday it has expanded its Mobility for Good program for low-income seniors and youth emerging from foster care with the launch of a new rate plan, offering 10 GB of 5G+ data for $35 per month.
“This means youth aging out of care, low-income seniors and government-assisted refugees will have the option of choosing a $25/month plan with 3GB of data, or $35/month plan with 10GB data,” says a Telus announcement.
“This new rate plan is another way TELUS is leading with purpose and helping ensure everyone has access to world-leading…
Continue Reading
