OTTAWA – The CRTC says it will begin regulating Northwestel’s backbone connectivity V-Connect IP VPN service, and has ordered it to file a revised pricing model for what it charges competing internet service providers, along with a cost study justifying that price by year’s end.
The CRTC first directed Northwestel to file competitive rates nearly a year ago, but the company appealed the decision. The regulator this week responded by rejecting all of the carrier’s arguments in its decision.
“Commission concludes that Northwestel has market power in its operating territory with respect…
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VANCOUVER – Telus’ 4G LTE network is now live in Armstrong, B.C., Fort McMurray, Alberta and Oshawa/ Whitby, Ontario. Its 4G LTE network now reaches more than 65% of the Canadian population. Telus invested $80,000 to bring 4G to Armstrong and the network in Fort McMurray is part of its $18 million investment in the region, while the Oshawa and Whitby expansion is part of its $280 million investment in the GTA over the next three years.
Upcoming Telus 4G sites launching across Ontario are in Sudbury, Brantford, Collingwood and St. Catharines; in Alberta at Fort McKay…
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TORONTO – Sixteen Candles, one of the most popular teen movies from famed 1980s movie director the late John Hughes, will be the first movie shown on Rewind, Channel Zero’s latest specialty channel brand, when it launches Saturday.
Replacing Movieola in channel lineups (the short film channel moves to its new online home) Rewind will feature flicks such as The Godfather, Blues Brothers, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Moonstruck, Edward Scissorhands and many others – all targeted towards Generation Xers who came of age in the 70s, 80s and 1990s. In fact, the whole first weekend is being dubbed “High School…
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IRVING, TEXAS – eRecyclingCorps (eRC), has appointed Patrick Button as vice president and general manager for Canada. Based out of Waterloo, Ontario, Button will lead eRC's Canadian operations and expansion strategy, including management of the company's existing device trade-in programs with Telus and other leading wireless operators and retailers throughout the country.
"eRecyclingCorps is the clear leader in this rapidly growing and important industry, putting money back in consumers' pockets and improving operators' bottom lines," said Button. "Having spent the vast majority of my career with some of world's largest device manufacturers, I've seen e-waste…
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MONTREAL – In a bid to further strengthen its presence in Québec, Telus says it’s expanding the roles for three of its Montreal-based executives. François Côté, Executive Vice President, will now oversee executive oversight of Telus Ventures, François Gratton has been appointed President of Telus Québec and Atlantic Canada, and Paul Lepage has been appointed the President of Telus Health and Payment Solutions. Telus says the three are being recognized for their contributions to Telus' overall success and the increasing importance and level of contribution its Québec team has on the organization's national strategy.
"Elevating the…
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WHILE VOICE IS COMMODITIZED and data is monetized as we increasingly move into a smartphone world, wireless pricing plans are undergoing radical changes in lock-step with burgeoning technology and changing consumer habits, according to a new report from BMO Capital Markets.
On November 7th, the Canadian big three national wireless carriers each unveiled new pricing plans within hours of each other. The new, simplified plans boast unlimited talk and text as well as data buckets that can be shared by family members and their varied devices that are all on the same household account. The BMO report says the shift,…
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MONTREAL – Telus has become the first organization to be named Philanthropic Company of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Quebec Chapter (AFP-QC).
François Gratton, president of Telus Quebec, Telus Atlantic and vice-chair of the Telus Montreal Community Board, will accept the honour on Telus' behalf. The award will be presented on National Philanthropy Day today, when AFP-QC pays tribute to individuals and companies whose community engagement has a significant impact on Quebec society. Telus was nominated by The Lighthouse Children and Families.
"Telus plays an invaluable role in the development of a culture of philanthropy in Quebec. The company…
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GATINEAU – The small incumbent local telephone companies (SILECs) are urging the CRTC to reject proposals calling for changes to the local subsidy regime for lost telephony customers (lost NAS). They also say a regime that will force them to raise local rates to make up for a shortfall in toll interconnection revenue won’t work.
The large incumbents, as well as Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications, want the Commission to only allow the 50% subsidy rule to apply to lost customers who port their number to a competing carrier. The SILECs counter that this is not what the CRTC had…
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“EVERYBODY’S STARTING TO realize that this market isn’t what we thought it was going to be,” said Alek Krstajic, president and CEO of upstart Canadian wireless company Public Mobile.
The wireless business is a very tough game. It’s extremely costly to build out, quite difficult to convince customers to switch service providers, incumbent carriers have been ruthless and access to spectrum, especially the good stuff, looks to be a problem. Those reasons and a few others make it appear like a round of consolidation among the three new independent wireless providers is close at hand, likely before the 700 MHz…
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TORONTO – Dial-around telecom discounter Telehop Communications said it posted operating income of $38,518 and EBITDA of $77,131 during the third quarter, ended September 30th.
"We have accomplished many of our early goals," said Rajiv Jagota, president CEO, in a release. "We now have a platform from which to become much more aggressive in the market. The recent landmark agreement we reached with Telus is a clear example of our ability to chart our own course and create our own opportunities."
During the third quarter, Telehop saw EBITDA rise to $77,131 from a loss of $81,517 during…
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