GATINEAU – Leave the Wireless Code of Conduct alone, for the most part, three of Canada’s largest wireless operators told the CRTC on the second day of a hearing which is the code’s scheduled three-year review.
Rogers, Bell and Quebecor said consumers now have a much better understanding of their rights, and the code has led to a more competitive environment – so therefore there is little need to make major changes.
“The current Code strikes the right balance of providing standardized protection for consumers, while allowing competitive market forces to introduce differentiated products and customer support,” said David Watt, senior…
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GATINEAU – With bill shock, data overages and problematic trial periods still issues, consumer groups told the CRTC, as it kicked off its review of the Wireless Code of Conduct on Monday, that the code needs tightening.
Speaking on behalf of a number of organizations, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) reminded commissioners the Canadian wireless market is concentrated among a few providers and even with the provisions of the wireless code, it’s still too difficult for consumers to switch providers if they wish.
“Because we have three providers with well over 90% in almost all markets, a few with four…
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TORONTO – Rogers’ decision to pull the plug on its own IPTV product pushed it in to the red with a $9 million loss for its fourth quarter.
On Thursday, Rogers posted a $484-million charge related to discontinuing its IPTV product when it opted to go with Comcast’s X1 platform instead. Adjusted net income increased 15% to $382 million this quarter from $331 million in the same period last year, as a result of higher adjusted operating profit, lower depreciation and amortization, and lower finance costs, partially offset by higher income tax expense.
Consolidated revenue for the period ended December 31,…
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GATINEAU – As Telus said last Monday during the CRTC’s N911 hearing, incumbent telcos believe that they are the logical choice as providers of next-generation 911 (NG911) services.
MTS noted in its opening remarks Wednesday that given the complexities involved with transitioning to NG911 from the current systems, it’s best to stick with what is known. Besides, the telcos have the PSAP (public safety access point) relationships, infrastructure and processes already in place for 911.
“There is no reason to believe that this existing framework would not work for NG911. In fact, retaining the same model would expedite a reliable, resilient…
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GATINEAU – The question of whether incumbent carriers should continue leading 911 development or if a new CRTC-run entity should drive it, was in the spotlight on the first day of the CRTC’s hearing on the subject.
Some groups argued a national entity with oversight from the Commission would be more effective at rolling out the next iteration of emergency telecommunication services nationally. Telus suggested, on the other hand during its appearance in front of commissioners, this would only create headaches.
The NG911 Coalition of the Willing kicked off the hearing, noting that a national entity is ideally suited to…
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SALMON ARM, B.C. – Mascon Cable Systems was purchased last week by Telus Corp., Cartt.ca has learned.
The purchase price was not announced but the this is the second rural B.C. cable operation purchase by the big western telco in four months. Telus bought YourLink’s BC cable operations in October.
No job losses are expected with the move, a Telus spokesperson told Cartt.ca in a statement. “Telus is hiring all employees of both YourLink BC and Mascon Cable. We have no plans to change staffing levels, and will be integrating our teams over the coming months. We…
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QUISPAMSIS, NB – Canadian Cable Systems Alliance has named industry veteran Jay Thomson as its new CEO, effective February 1, 2017.
Thomson (pictured) is currently broadcasting policy & regulatory affairs VP for the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA). He was also previously president of the Canadian Association of Internet Providers (CAIP), plus held senior regulatory and policy positions with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), Telus Communications and the now defunct Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA).
After beginning his career in the communications industry as a lawyer and policy analyst at the CRTC, Thomson has gained deep expertise in strategic policy…
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VICTORIA, BC and WOODSTOCK, NB – Xplornet Communications has acquired YourLink’s Internet services operations in Saskatchewan from Vecima Networks in an all-cash deal valued at $28.75 million.
YourLink, which provides high-speed wireless Internet to rural and remote communities, will continue to operate and deliver services in Saskatchewan while integrating operations into Xplornet’s regional and national delivery teams, reads Monday’s news release.
Rural-focused Internet service provider Xplornet said that the deal accelerates its ongoing expansion in that province.
"This acquisition will increase our fixed wireless broadband footprint in Saskatchewan and support Xplornet's mission to make affordable, fast and reliable broadband Internet services available to…
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GATINEU – The CRTC today declared that broadband access is now considered a basic telecommunications service for all Canadians, that it is setting new speed targets while also creating a new fund that will invest up to $750 million over and above existing government programs.
Further to its legislative mandate, the Commission has set the following targets for the basic telecommunications services that Canadians need to participate in the digital economy:
speeds of 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download/10 Mbps upload for fixed broadband Internet access services. In 2015, 82% of Canadians already had access to speeds of 50 Mbps download/10…
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Carriers shouldn’t be forced to hold customer data
OTTAWA – Communications service providers shouldn’t be forced to hold onto subscriber metadata for police access for lengthy periods of time, Rogers Communications has told the federal government.
The company made that submission last week to Public Safety Canada’s public consultation on creating a new national security framework, which is looking at a number of issues sensitive to police including mandatory rules for data retention and installing interception gear to help investigations, help with unscrambling encrypted communications and giving police more power to access basic subscriber information.
Also meeting the December 15th deadline…
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