VANCOUVER – Two of the country’s biggest unions say they’re happy that Verizon has decided against entering Canada’s wireless market, but stress that should not take public focus off the problems plaguing the telecommunications industry.
The newly merged Telecommunication Workers Union (TWU) and United Steelworkers (USW) said Monday that they support parliamentary hearings and on-going public debate about Canada’s telecommunications policy.
"We clearly and consistently pointed out that giving Verizon preferential access to Canada's wireless infrastructure and spectrum would be a bad deal for Canadian workers and consumers," said Lee Riggs, national president of the TWU, which represents 13,000 Telus, Shaw and other…
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CHICAGO – Efforts to artificially bolster wireless competition in Canada – such as by creating four competitors in each market, are “outdated and likely ineffective” plus may actually harm competition rather than improve or increase it, says a new report from Navigant Economics sponsored by Telus.
The report, Mobile Wireless Market Performance In Canada: LESSONS FROM THE EU AND THE US compares the regulatory differences between the Canadian, U.S. and European wireless industries. It notes that Canada, like the U.S., has been “relatively successful” in promoting competition and encouraging investment, but cautions Canadian policymakers to “resist calls to…
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WHILE VARIOUS wireless executives received e-mails this week from Industry Canada officials cautioning them on speaking with the media about the 700 MHz wireless spectrum auction, both EastLink and Wind mobile confirmed Monday they will take part.
Initial deposits from any company interested in bidding on the spectrum during the auction which will kick off January 14th, are due Tuesday at noon. While speculation will likely rage on for days now, it is hoped that Industry Canada will release a public list of participants by September 25th. While it’s a lock that the likes of Rogers, Telus, Bell, Videotron, SaskTel,…
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GATINEAU – Broadcasters, distributors and special interests all took predictable stances on the CRTC's proposed framework for the distribution of national news services in interventions published this week.
The comment period for the framework, which launched from the Commission's August decision to deny mandatory distribution to Sun News Network, ended on Monday night. Last-minute submissions were posted to the CRTC site Tuesday and Wednesday. The Regulator’s proposals include rules on carriage, packaging and channel placement for national news services licensed as Category C, which would categorize all such services – new and…
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TORONTO – Current Vodafone UK CEO Guy Laurence will succeed Nadir Mohamed atop Rogers Communications, the company announced Thursday morning, after a months-long process which saw many candidates interviewed.
Laurence, 51, brings 30 years of global experience in telecommunications, pay television and media to the role, including senior leadership positions at international media companies including MGM Studios, United Cinemas and Chrysalis Records. He will become Rogers president and CEO effective December 2nd.
After joining Vodafone in 2000, Laurence (pictured) was named CEO…
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MONTREAL – Videotron is the latest wireless provider to offer customers the option to pay for their mobile devices over a 24 month period.
The company joins Telus and Wind Mobile in introducing and promoting two-year contracts, which is the maximum length for a contract set out by the CRTC’s new Wireless Code which comes into effect in December.
Videotron also confirmed that it will not increase the prices of its mobile plans.
www.videotron.com
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TORONTO – Shaw Media’s Global is jumping into the TV Everywhere market Thursday with an app called Global Go.
GlobaI Go will live stream the network 24/7 via web, iOS or Android platforms on smart phones, tablets and home computers anywhere in Canada, plus let viewers catch-up on entire seasons of more than 20 shows for up to 60 days after the finale (versus the 2-3 episodes which are currently available for catch-up). Those shows include the likes of Rookie Blue, NCIS, Elementary and Hawaii 5.0. It also includes a two week look-ahead schedule, and an interface with intuitive search and social…
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OTTAWA – Bell Canada has filed an application with the Federal Court of Canada seeking a judicial review of wireless spectrum policies and changes to conditions of license recently enacted by Industry Canada.
Bell has asked for an order saying the Minister of Industry doesn’t have the jurisdiction to “(i) require roaming and sharing in respect of the Applicant’s networks, antenna towers and sites; and (ii) to prohibit the inclusion or require waiver of specific terms in the Applicant’s agreements or arrangements with others with respect to roaming and sharing in respect of the Applicant’s networks, antenna towers and sites,”…
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TORONTO – There’s only a few weeks left to register for the Canadian Wireless Trade Show scheduled for September 25 – 26 at the Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto.
Now in its third year, the B2B tech, telecom, and wireless networking event will feature over 120 exhibitors from the U.S. and Canada. This year’s lineup of live talks includes Google executive Richard Trinder on the wireless shopper; Samsung Business Division VP Paul Brannen on security and BYOD devices; plus presentations from representatives of Rogers, Bell, Telus and Microsoft. A new addition to the show this year is iHub, an interactive and informative…
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VANCOUVER – Telus is warning Canadians about an international lottery scam being sent via letter mail to residents of British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba, falsely claiming an association with Telus and Koodo.
Known as an "advance fee scheme," the scam involves letters that appear to be originating from England stating the recipient has won a $51,950 cash prize, and asking them to deposit a money order to cover taxes and processing fees with their bank in order to claim the prize. The letter includes a cheque to cover the recipient's costs, however, that cheque is forged and will bounce, while…
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