THE NEXT BIG LEAP in wireless telecommunications is coming.
The current standard for mobile networks is what the tech industry calls fourth generation, or 4G. But this will soon be overtaken by fifth generation, or 5G, wireless technology. 5G offers increased data transfer speeds and will connect many more devices with almost no delayed response when receiving and sending information.
One might think the issues surrounding the development of 5G would focus on questions like whether the government should build a nationalized 5G network, or the possible health impacts of additional radio-frequency radiation. However, one issue has come to dominate the 5G…
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Extra data price beats Koodo, Virgin
TORONTO – Rogers Communications today announced its Fido brand is eliminating data overage fees with the launch of Data Overage Protection, a new feature which will be included in new Fido data, talk and text plans starting today.
Customers will receive an SMS notification when they reach 90% of their limit and another at 100% when their data is paused. If customers want more data, they can immediately buy 1GB for $15 right from their smartphone. The maximum any carrier can charge in terms of overage fees, inside Canada is $50/month, a limit which is…
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VANCOUVER – Here’s one move that helps puts Telus onside with the CRTC’s Internet Code of conduct – for customers who renew or sign up for one or two year contracts at least.
The company today announced customers can now enjoy unlimited home internet data, no matter to which home broadband speed package they subscribe.
Last week, the CRTC told large broadband providers they had to warn customers when they were coming to the limit of their monthly data plans to avoid pesky data bill shocks, but this move mitigates that risk and that regulatory demand…
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GATINEAU – It took a lot of asking and there was a lot of complaining along the way (as we reported), but the Competition Bureau is getting what it says it needs from Canada’s wireless carriers as the CRTC reviews the mobile market, which will culminate with a public proceeding coming in January.
On Friday, the CRTC directed wireless carriers to disclose to the Commissioner of Competition most information filed in confidence on the record of the mobile wireless review proceeding.
“The information to be disclosed comprises all responses filed in confidence in relation to the Commission’s requests for information dated…
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GATINEAU – Canada’s three largest wireless carriers aren’t going to meekly back away from the CRTC on this issue.
While they often grit their teeth and accept the cards the Commission deals, it seems Rogers, Telus and Bell are going to double down when it comes to 36-month device financing plans.
Friday, the Regulator told the carriers to pull those offers from the market and Rogers and Telus have told us they will comply for now (and also that it’s going to take a couple of days at least to do so). However, they are spoiling for…
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GATINEAU – While saying it acknowledges some Canadian consumers might want to pay for a new smartphone over three years instead of two, making their monthly payments lower, the CRTC told Canadian wireless carriers this afternoon to stop offering 36-month payment plans.
The CRTC today said that the new 36-month device financing plans first launched by Rogers (since followed in a more limited way by Telus and Bell) “may not be compliant with the Wireless Code since customers may have to pay fees to switch service providers, even after 24 months,” reads the CRTC press release today.
“The Wireless Code was…
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VANCOUVER – Telus saw consolidated operating revenue increase 4.2% to $3.6 billion in the second quarter, ended June 30th, thanks to strong growth on the wired and wireless sides of the business.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 9.8% as compared to the second quarter of 2018 to $1.4 billion. The company noted in its press release that growth was partly offset by declines in wireline legacy voice and legacy data services.
For the quarter, net income of $520 million increased by 31% over the same period a year ago due to EBITDA growth and lower income…
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GATINEAU – All large internet service providers will have to abide by the CRTC’s new Internet Code of conduct as of January 31, 2020.
The new code, which will apply to Bell, Cogeco, Eastlink, Northwestel, Rogers, Shaw, Sasktel, Telus, Vidéotron, and Xplornet has been created to try to ensure consumers receive easier-to-understand contracts, documentation and policies surrounding service calls, outages, security deposits and disconnections, reads the release. It’s worth noting here this new code does not apply to mobile wireless internet providers. (Correction: An earlier version of this story mentioned the code will apply to small…
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GATINEAU – Last summer Cloudwifi, a Kitchener-based ISP that operates mostly in the apartment and condo space, filed an application with the CRTC requesting an order stating Bell Canada can’t interfere with a customer’s use of the inside wire.
The CRTC agreed with the independent ISP but Bell appealed saying because Cloudwifi was not a local exchange carrier (LEC) or a BDU, it had no legal, regulatory, or other rights of use or access to the facilities at issue. On July 17, 2019, the Commission asked interested parties for applications on the review of CRTC decision…
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Back-to-school promo offers the latest phones, Big Gig Unlimited, starting at $50/month
CALGARY – Shaw Communications’ Freedom Mobile has dropped wireless pricing again by reducing the cost of wireless for Canadians with its Big Gig Unlimited plans and Absolute Zero promotions.
Both are featured in a new national advertising campaign marking the return of the notorious “Monolithic Wireless” and highlighting “unfair treatment of Canadian wireless customers,” reads the Freedom press release.
Top-end handsets such as the latest iPhones can be had for a $75/month Big Gig plan for 10GB of unlimited data (slowed after the monthly benchmark is reached), with no extra…
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