MARKHAM – As it awaits a decision from the federal government on whether or not Canadian carriers will be able to use its technology in their 5G network upgrades, Huawei said last week it represents “a significant and growing contribution to Canada's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with a total benefit equivalent to $690 million in 2018 alone.”
That figure came from a new economic study from Oxford Economics which the company publicized in a release..
The report highlighted Huawei supports nearly 5,000 jobs in Canada – and that it has invested $164 million in research and development initiatives while generating $204…
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ISED arm twists itself into knots trying to give MVNO its stamp of approval, but this could be a good compromise
IF I’M RUNNING ONE of Canada’s existing wireless companies, I’m relieved after reading the Competition Bureau’s most recent submission to the CRTC’s Wireless Policy Review.
However, if I’m hoping to launch a new mobile virtual network operator once the CRTC updates said policy, I might be crying into my beer a little.
After a summer of regulatory back-and-forth where the Bureau successfully fought hard for access to confidential information that only the companies themselves and…
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OTTAWA – The Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS) said today it received nearly 19,300 complaints from Canadian telecom and TV customers, an all-time high in the organization’s 12-year history.
Given we’re also at an all-time high for wireless and broadband customers in Canada, not to mention how recent news and noise surrounding telecom companies in Canada have likely helped more Canadians realize the CCTS can help, such an increase is not surprising.
Canadians, said the CCTS annual report (which tallies complaints for the 12-months ended July 31), complained most often about…
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TORONTO – Tuesday marked the 10th anniversary of the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada (MGFC).
Incorporated in 2009, MGFC was established by key members of Canada's wireless industry, working in partnership with the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), to create a means through which Canadians could make donations to registered charities through their mobile device.
This is why Canadians can, for example, text $10 to a certain number to help raise money for natural disasters or other needs and have it tacked onto their wireless bill.
"Canadians are generous and supportive of worthy causes, and they also embrace technology. Merging philanthropy with…
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GATINEAU – After reviewing a dozen of the new submissions made at the CRTC’s latest wireless policy review submission deadline on Friday, we can confidently say: No one has yet changed their mind since the last rounds of information were filed.
The arguments, butressed by some new expert reports in some instances, mostly bolster what has been said and repeated early and often.
The incumbent carriers say mandated mobile virtual network operators riding on their networks as wireless resellers will cause them to decrease investment.
Poppycock, says the Canadian Network Operators and the Canadian Communication Systems Alliance. “Such threats have never, not…
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Says unfettered MVNOs would jeopardize regional players
GATINEAU – Friday was the deadline for the second phase of the comments in the CRTC’s Review of mobile wireless services and all eyes were on the Competition Bureau’s submission, which had the additional advantage of having access to the material filed in confidence, which we had reported on earlier this year.
The Bureau’s report determines there is not enough competition in the marketplace, and it even suggests a policy for the Commission to consider. (Does it suffer from “Commission Envy”?)
“Bell, Telus and Rogers (the Big 3) possess market power at both the retail…
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VANCOUVER – Telus and edge computing provider MobiledgeX announced today the MobiledgeX Early Access Program will soon open in Canada.
A first for North America, the program will allow developers to “build, experiment, and test applications and experiences using next-generation, low-latency edge computing powered by MobiledgeX,” powered by the Telus network, reads the announcement.
Edge computing hosts applications and content across operator networks at key locations that are closer to the user, says the release. This means developers don’t have to rely on the cloud – which could be countries away. “Combined with future 5G infrastructure that also lowers latency…
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OTTAWA – Back in the summer, as we reported, Justices from the Federal Court ordered the individuals operating the so-called GoldTV Services to cease operations.
They are unauthorized subscription services that provide access to programming content over the Internet without having obtained the rights, a violation of the Copyright Act, and Bell Media, Groupe TVA, and Rogers Media had all pursued the matter in court.
Despite the issuance of injunctions, the Court, in a decision released last week, says some of the GoldTV services remain in operation and the infringements continue.
Last Friday, the Complainants against Gold, Rogers,…
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TORONTO – Babe Nation Films, Shaftesbury’s KindaTV and WhoHaha announced today web series Ghost BFF has begun production on season two (8x5min).
Created and written by star Vanessa Matsui (The Handmaid’s Tale, Shadowhunters, The Smurfs 2), Ghost BFF “follows two best friends – one alive, one dead – across space, time and the suburbs as they struggle to find themselves and right past wrongs following a suicide,” says the press release.
The series will film in Toronto this November and will be available for streaming on Shaftesbury’s YouTube channel, KindaTV (worldwide, excluding the U.S.), and in the U.S….
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TORONTO – Family Channel kicked off Bullying Awareness Week with the launch of Stand UP!, a new year-round campaign dedicated to promoting kids’ mental health and wellness, in partnership with PREVNet, Kids Help Phone, Recess Guardians, Jack.org, Telus Wise and others.
Beginning with Bullying Awareness Week, November 17-23, Family will be donating broadcast media space for PSAs to Kids Help Phone and Recess Guardians. The channel will also be feature special messages from its stars, such as Alexandra Chaves (The Next Step), Kamaia Fairburn (Holly Hobbie), Alec Dahmer (Bajillionaires) and others on Family social media channels. Additional on-air and…
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