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%…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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JD Power survey says 91% of Canadians say service meets speed needs
TORONTO – Canada’s wireless networks are continuing to meet most customers’ expectations according to the J.D. Power 2020 Canada Wireless Network Quality Study, released this week.
“In our current state of self-isolation, telecommuting and an exponential rise in the use of streaming service —from video conferencing to movies—are stretching network infrastructures to unprecedented levels,” said Adrian Chung, director of the technology, media and telecom practice at J.D. Power Canada, in a press release. “Many consumers are able to take advantage of home Wi-Fi for now but the demand for…
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GENEVA — The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), are calling on global telecommunication companies to join their initiative to use information technology to defeat Covid-19.
In a news release issued Monday, the WHO and ITU say they are ready to work with telecom companies to text people directly on their mobile phones with vital health messaging to help protect them from Covid-19. The text messages will reach billions of people that aren’t able to connect to the Internet for information, explains the release.
This initiative builds…
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By Ahmad Hathout
THE CANADIAN NETWORK OPERATORS Consortium (CNOC) is facing fresh denials from some incumbents to a request by the organization to lift certain network restrictions during the Covid-19 crisis.
The three-part ask from CNOC, which represents smaller third party internet access operators that rent part of the network of the larger providers, includes a lifting of capacity restraints free-of-charge, expedited network augmentations through more physical interconnections, and wholesale payment term flexibility of 60 additional days to help support customers who are unable to pay on time.
The letter was sent over the course of the past couple of weeks to…
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VICTORIA – Top musical talent from Vancouver Island will join forces Friday at 8 p.m. to help raise funds for Islanders who are most in need during the Covid-19 pandemic on independent broadcaster CHEK.
Rock for Relief will feature performances by David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Randy and Tal Bachman, the Tenors, Trevor Guthrie, and current American Idol contestant Lauren Spencer-Smith from Nanaimo, as well as local favourites Jesse Roper, Carmanah, Aaron Pritchett, Kathryn Calder and many others.
Plus, there will be special appearances by Steve Nash, Silken Laumann, Rick Hansen, Jim Treliving and other notables. The program will be hosted…
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