GATINEAU – The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association urged the CRTC to take national responsibility for regulating consumer cell phone contracts. The CWTA made the comments during the first day of hearings into a wireless code of conduct.
Canadians “would be best served by a single set of regulations, not today’s patchwork of provincial laws, regulations, guidelines and interpretation bulletins,” said CWTA president and CEO Bernard Lord. He urged the Commission to adopt a code that “supersedes any current or future provincial legislation in this area.”
Under questioning, the CWTA said multiple pieces of guidelines, codes or legislation will only increase costs…
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GATINEAU – CRTC commissioners said they are concerned Canadian wireless companies are overcharging their customers when the device subsidy is paid off and there isn’t a corresponding drop in their monthly bill.
On Tuesday morning during day two of the Wireless Code of Conduct hearing, chairman Jean-Pierre Blais wondered if Telus customers who have paid off their device subsidy will see a reduction in their monthly bill. The company said it doesn’t happen automatically and consumers have to request it.
David Fuller, chief marketing officer at the “future is friendly” wireless operator, said customers can see a bill reduction, but only…
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SALMON ARM, B.C. – Telus has invested $600,000 to bring its 4G LTE network to customers in Salmon Arm, B.C. The carrier has rolled out its 4G LTE to more than 80% of British Columbians in 2012 and plans to connect even more by the end of 2013.
“Telus is committed to providing the best service to our customers, and that includes offering people in Salmon Arm the fastest wireless technology available in the world today,” said Bert Braybrook, Telus director, Customer Solutions Delivery, Kamloops/Cariboo region.
“With a 4G LTE device like the Samsung Galaxy…
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INDUSTRIES CONSOLIDATE. All industries. That’s the natural growth path. The big get bigger. If you doubt that, check the retail, mining, automotive, heck, any sector. Shareholders decide to divest, or need to divest and sell to the highest bidder. Sometimes they go bust. That’s our global economy.
So at this point, we have to accept the fact that unless we are going to slap some mighty regulations on wireless, all but nationalize the networks and force-feed Canadians many carriers (all of whom would then be undercapitalized weaklings), our market is not going to develop any more telecom companies. It’s too…
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OTTAWA – In tersely worded letters, the CRTC has made it loud and clear it’s losing patience with Telus and three local TV providers for failing to comply with new rules that limit the loudness of TV commercials they broadcast. The companies have all failed to meet new distribution regulations that ensure commercial messages and regular programming are broadcast at an even volume. The amendments came into force September 1, 2012 and the Commission has now set new deadlines for the companies to prove they are in fact moving towards compliance.
The letters, from Andrea Rosen, Chief Compliance…
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IT SEEMS OBVIOUS NOW that the federal government’s attempt at building more competition into the Canadian wireless market has been a failure.
With the benefit of hindsight, looking back at how the Canadian wireless market has evolved since the 2008 advanced wireless spectrum auction, I keep wondering: “what did the federal government think was going to happen?” Back then, in an ill-advised attempt to foster more competition to the burgeoning wireless market in Canada, the federal government offered any Canadian-led wireless newcomer a leg-up in that auction, setting aside spectrum that was just for newbies willing to gamble on becoming…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has agreed to extend the submission deadline for the hearing into the must-carry of cable and satellite channels as outlined in section 9(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act after receiving requests for an extension from Shaw, Rogers, Cogeco and the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (jointly), Telus and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre.
The deadline for the submission of interventions, comments and answers has been extended to February 27, 2013 and the deadline for the submission of replies has been extended to March 11 2013.
In addition, the preamble and the following item…
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VANCOUVER – Following court approval and months of delay, the exchange of Telus' non-voting shares for common shares on a one-for-one basis became effective at 12:01 a.m. PT today.
Telus’ non-voting shares were delisted from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) before the market opened and its common shares commenced trading under the symbol "TU" at the start of trading today. The carrier currently anticipates its non-voting shares will be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) at the close of business on or about February 8, 2013 and the common shares issued today in exchange…
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TORONTO – Telus has added digital forensics capabilities to its security solutions with the acquisition of Digital Wyzdom Inc. The carrier says the acquisition complements its existing security solutions portfolio and will allow it to better serve customers with their forensics and security needs. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Telus Security Solutions says it selected Digital Wyzdom based on its people, technology, and a shared vision of putting customers first for their security and forensic needs. Digital Wyzdom provides digital forensics, network security, E-discovery, intellectual property, and fraud advisory services to organizations…
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TORONTO – Seven outstanding women in the communications, broadcasting and information technology sectors are being honoured by Canadian Women in Communications for their contribution to their companies and as role models of leadership with its prestigious Annual Awards.
The presentations will be made at CWC’s 2013 Annual Awards Gala at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa on April 16th. The event, which is known for attracting hundreds of top business and government leaders, will be hosted by Juno-award-winning R&B singer/songwriter Jully Black.
“This year’s award recipients are singular contributors to the industry,” said Judith Campbell,…
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