WATERLOO – Visa has approved Research In Motion’s secure mobile payments solution using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. RIM's Secure Element Manager (SEM) is the backend solution for carriers that can securely manage credentials on SIM (subscriber identity module) cards installed in all types of NFC-capable mobile devices. Visa's approval builds on the joint initiative by Telus, Rogers and Bell for their deployment of mobile payments in Canada through EnStream.
"The approval from Visa of RIM's SEM solution is an important step in that it will enable carriers to support Visa issuing banks and financial…
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TORONTO – Cogeco, despite losing 2,076 net Canadian basic cable subscribers, and adding only 6,311 telephony subscribers, well below the 16,000 forecast in its first quarter, remains a “buy” recommendation. In part because of its strong Free Cash Flow (FCF) guidance that increased to $170 million from $105 million due to its purchase of Atlantic Broadband (ABB) and reduced Canadian capex. This according to analysts Dvai Ghose and Sanford Lee in Canaccord Genuity’s Daily Letter for January 15 who now forecast a target price of $44.00 for Cogeco’s stock.
“Due to weaker than expected subscriber results,…
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TORONTO and CALGARY – Rogers Communications said late Monday afternoon it plans to pay Shaw Communications $700 million to acquire Hamilton Ontario-based Mountain Cablevision and to secure Shaw’s AWS spectrum holdings in 2014.
The deal will also see Shaw purchase Rogers' one-third interest in TVtropolis for $59 million, giving it 100% of the specialty channel, and Shaw will enter into negotiations with Rogers for the provision of certain services in Western Canada. The press release did not specify what those services will be although Shaw CEO Brad Shaw hinted where some co-operation is being worked on.
The decision to option the…
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TORONTO – Hollywood Suite’s four HD commercial-free movie channels are now available to Cogeco Cable digital customers throughout Ontario. Featuring over 400 HD movies per month, uncut and unedited, Hollywood Suite is: WarnerFilms (channel 875), MGM Channel (channel 874), Sony Movie Channel (channel 873), AXN Movies (channel 872). Cogeco Cable HD TV customers can now enjoy a free preview of all 4 Hollywood Suite movie channels until March 31st, 2013.
“Kicking off the New Year with a bang, Hollywood Suite offers Cogeco Cable customers an incredible variety of blockbuster titles on four stunning HD channels” said Ron…
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CALGARY – While subscriber losses worried some on Bay Street (the company dropped 28,000 video subscribers in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, ended November 30, 2012) Shaw Communications posted overall positive operating results for the three months ended November 30, 2012.
Consolidated revenue for the three month period of $1.32 billion was up 3% compared to the same period last year and total operating income before amortization of $601 million improved 6% over the comparable period. Free cash flow for the quarter was $244 million compared to $119 million for the same period last year. Increased operating income before…
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VANCOUVER – A contract dispute between Telus and Viacom means that as of February 28th, Telus Optik TV customers will no longer have access to Spike TV and BET.
Telus has notified customers of this upcoming change via its web site. “As of Feb. 28, 2013, Spike TV on channel 150 and BET on channel 154 will no longer be available on Optik TV. All other channels in the Adventure and Entertainment Extra theme packs remain unchanged,” reads the site.
Telus’ Chris Gerritsen told Cartt.ca that the company’s “contract with the owner of Spike and BET came…
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CHETWYND, B.C. – Telus said this week it has invested $200,000 to bring 4G LTE to the 2,600 residents of northeastern B.C. community of Chetwynd, and to the 2,000 residents of south-central B.C. town 100 Mile House.
Telus has rolled out 4G LTE to more than 80% of British Columbians in 2012 and plans to connect even more by the end of 2013, says the company’s press release.
“Telus is committed to providing the best service to our customers, and that includes offering those living in Chetwynd the fastest wireless technology available in the world today,” said Chris Jensen, Telus general manager for…
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SUDBURY, ON – Telus is now offering its 4G wireless Long Term Evolution (LTE) service in Sudbury with additional communities getting 4G access over the next few months.
Today’s announcement is part of the company’s $650 million investment in Ontario over the next three years to further expand and enhance its wireless networks.
“Telus is committed to offering the best customer experience and launching our 4G LTE service in Sudbury is an excellent example of how we’re doing that,” said Piero Fusco, director of sales, TELUS. “With a 4G LTE device like Samsung Galaxy S…
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A NEW REPORT FROM BMO Capital Markets, which dives deep into what will affect investment in the telecom and media space in Canada in 2013, takes a good look at the possibilities and assumptions heading into the auction of the 700 MHz spectrum everyone assumes will take place mid-year.
The report, by analyst Tim Casey, says what most believe – that the big winners in the auction, which will be expensive. will be the big three of Rogers, Telus and Bell, but that the latter two have an advantage over Rogers since Bell and Telus share the operation of their…
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TORONTO – Mobilicity says its legal battle with Telus to keep its TV ads running was no-contest. In a press release, it declared a “colossal victory for Canadian wireless consumers” after the British Columbia Supreme Court dismissed an interlocutory injunction application by Telus to pull certain Mobilicity TV ads off the air. But Telus contends today’s Court decision only dealt with the interim ruling to have the ads pulled and that it will not impact their pursuit of a full hearing.
"Today is a big day for wireless consumers and continued competition in Canada," said Mobilicity…
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