TORONTO – Al Jazeera English launched on SaskTel this week, making it available to over 97,000 SaskTel maxTV subscribers through channel 58.
The international news channel, which launched in Canada in 2010, is now available through Telus, Bell TV, Rogers, Cogeco, Shaw Cable, Videotron, MTS Allstream and CCSA member cable systems. Al Jazeera already reaches more than 250 million homes in over 130 countries around the world.
“Subscribers to SaskTel maxTV service now have access to Al Jazeera English’s comprehensive offering of news, documentaries and programmes from over seventy bureaus worldwide,” said Kimeran Daley, head…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC cleared up confusion around how the new Wireless Code applies to wireless services with tab billing models (tab contracts) in response to queries from Rogers and Telus.
Under a tab contract, the customer obtains a device at a reduced upfront cost and the amount of the device subsidy goes onto the customer’s “tab.” Thereafter, a percentage of the customer’s monthly bill is used to “pay down” their tab.
In its response, the Commission also provided clarification on how the maximum early cancellation fee may be calculated for tab contracts, and what…
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OTTAWA – The federal government has quashed another try by Mobilicity to sell itself to Telus.
According to a Globe and Mail report on Wednesday, Industry Canada confirmed late Tuesday that it provided a confidential answer to Mobilicity about a potential transaction that the small carrier was trying to complete while under court protection from its creditors. Although IC declined to comment on the substance of its response, the story says that sources confirmed that government officials turned down the proposed sale.
Telecom analyst Dvai Ghose, Managing Director/Head of Research for Canaccord Genuity,…
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TORONTO – Telus may still have an opportunity to buy Mobilicity after an Ontario court awarded the struggling wireless carrier more time to restructure its business and complete a potential sale.
According to a Globe and Mail report on Friday, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has extended the “stay period” during which the small carrier is shielded from any new or existing legal actions from October 30 until December 20, 2013.
Mobilicity had asked for additional time to secure the federal government’s approval for a proposed sale, though declined to identify its potential buyer. …
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VANCOUVER – Telus announced Wednesday evening it will buy Public Mobile.
“Following our review of strategic options for our organization, Telus stood out as the company most committed to strong customer service and innovation. We are confident this is the right decision for our customers, our company, our employees and our investors,” said Alek Krstajic, Public Mobile CEO, in a joint press release. “This transaction is the best option to guarantee continued quality service for our customers and to maximize the opportunity for our employees and investors.”
Pending approval from the Competition Bureau following today’s approval by Industry…
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CALGARY – Alberta Flood Aid’s concert held last August at McMahon Stadium in Calgary raised nearly $2.2 million for flood recovery after the devastating southern Alberta floods of June 2013.
Hosted by Brent Butt, the evening featured Canadian artists including Nickelback, Jann Arden, Randy Bachman, Tom Cochrane, Matthew Good, Colin James, Loverboy, Corb Lund, Johnny Reid, The Sadies, The Sheepdogs and Ian Tyson who donated their time and services to contribute to the effort. Telus funded the live, online broadcast of the concert for viewers across Canada free of charge.
"We couldn't have hoped for a more perfect evening or a…
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TORONTO – Don’t miss Telecom 2013, the annual telecom showcase and forum for telecom, IT, and contact centre managers.
Scheduled for October 29 – 30 at the Old Mill Toronto, the event offers a unique chance to meet and exchange with key industry suppliers and independent experts. The event is organized by Neotelis and industry partners include Bell, Avaya, HP, Microsoft, Cisco, Genesys, Rogers, Telus, and many others.
For registration and more information, click here
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HALIFAX – Telus will award grants of up to $5,000 each to select teachers in 16 Nova Scotia schools for new technology for learning in their classrooms through the $75,000 Telus Technology for Teachers Fund.
The Telus Technology for Teachers Fund is part of the company’s national Phones for Good campaign. For every new smartphone purchased in Nova Scotia between February 7 and August 7, 2013, Telus gave $25 to this fund, to a maximum of $75,000.
After receiving more than 100 applications, the Telus Atlantic Canada Community Board involved members of the education sector…
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INDUSTRY MINISTER JAMES MOORE likely caused a number of folks in the Canadian subscription TV business to choke on their turkey this Thanksgiving weekend.
In a few media interviews, Moore dropped a preview bomb of this Wednesday’s Throne Speech by saying the federal Conservative government will make it its business to micromanage sectors of the economy, beginning with dismantling the TV channel packaging practices of Canadian broadcasters and broadcast distribution undertakings. “We don’t think it’s right for Canadians to have to pay for bundled television channels that they don’t watch,” he told CTV’s Question Period in an interview broadcast Sunday…
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OTTAWA – There is no working market for domestic wholesale roaming in Canada, which has led to sky-high rates that injure competition, says Halifax-based cable and wireless company Eastlink. Conversely, Bell Mobility argues new entrants have the choice of three providers, all of which are girding for roaming business.
In comments to the CRTC’s investigation into domestic and international roaming, Eastlink says the incumbents’ wholesale domestic roaming rates are much higher than their retail rates and thus “are inherently commercially unreasonable.” It adds these rates “are a significant obstacle to new entrants’ ability to compete over…
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