This is not another new policy review
GATINEAU – Canada’s major broadcasters say that a time when consumers have more TV viewing choices resulting from new flexible channel packaging rules and the continued inroads from exempt (often foreign) platforms, the CRTC must resist adding to the regulatory restrictions already imposed on their programming services.
The comments come as the Commission wraps up the written phase for this fall’s licence renewal hearing for the country’s major English- and French-language broadcasting groups.
Many interveners have called for more stringent regulation of the large broadcasters. They relate to a number of…
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OTTAWA – MTS has officially asked the CRTC to transfer ownership and effective control of its licensed terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings operating in Winnipeg and surrounding areas to Bell Canada.
In application dated June 8, 2016 but made public on Tuesday, MTS said that the steps of the proposed transaction affecting the licensed broadcasting undertakings would be as follows:
– First, the parent corporation of MTS, MTS Communications Holdings Inc. (MCH), would be wound up into Manitoba Telecom;
– Second, Bell would acquire all the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Manitoba Telecom;
– Third, BCE would incorporate a new wholly owned…
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STARTING SEPTEMBER 7, BROADCAST distributors (a.k.a. cable, IPTV and satellite TV providers) will go before the CRTC trying to convince the regulator they are providing consumers with the choice required under rules adopted last year and that no further regulation is necessary.
Groups representing consumers will be there too, arguing, among other things, the way BDUs are offering the new so-called skinny basic package is inadequate. The Consumers Association of Canada (CAC) and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) say the Commission needs to address the issue of unfair practices being employed by some BDUs.
The groups say that…
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CHURCHILL, MB – While still awaiting regulatory approval of BCE’s proposed acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS), the two companies said Monday that they are expanding broadband communications infrastructure in the town of Churchill, including rolling out Gigabit Fibe Internet and Fibe TV services.
Located at the edge of the Arctic on Hudson’s Bay, Churchill is a northern transportation hub also known as the Polar Bear Capital of the World, attracting tourists from around the world each year for polar bear, beluga whale and bird watching and as one of the best places to experience the Northern Lights.
"Bell MTS is…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has turned down a request from three consumer groups asking it to expand and/or revise the geographic boundaries for local number portability (LNP) to more accurately reflect the current network and marketplace structure for telephony services.
LNP allows subscribers to keep the same telephone number when changing service providers. The Commission required all wireline local exchange carriers to implement LNP as part of its framework for local competition established in May, 1997.
In an application dated June 15, 2015, the Consumers' Association of Canada, the Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations of British Columbia, and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre proposed…
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GATINEAU – The CRTC shouldn’t bow to pressure from the vertically integrated (VI) entities and loosen any regulatory measures on their activities, according to comments from the non-VI broadcast distributors.
In comments to the licence renewals of the large English and French-language ownership groups (for which a public hearing is coming in November), the non-VI BDUs tell the Commission that in fact it needs to strengthen regulations ensuring the VI companies (Rogers, Bell and Quebecor) don’t exhibit any anti-consumer and anti-competitive behaviour.
Telus says the Commission has rules to ensure carriage contracts for TV channels are done on…
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TORONTO – Bell Media’s Discovery is gearing up for its first-ever nationwide free preview this fall which will include the debut of Frontier, its first original Canadian scripted drama.
Set against the raw backdrop of 1700s Canada, Frontier (pictured) stars Jason Momoa in a thrilling action-adventure series that revolves around warring factions vying for control of the fur trade in a ruthless game of wealth and power. The series will debut on November 6. Other programming highlights include the return of Canada’s Worst Driver and the premier of new original Canadian series Tougher Than It Looks? on October 24.
Discovery’s free preview…
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MONTREAL – A Quebec Court of Appeal ruling could result in a class-action lawsuit over excessive international roaming fees charged by the country’s biggest wireless providers.
According to a Globe and Mail report, Rogers, Bell and Telus could be on the hook for millions of dollars for allegedly charging high international data roaming fees to Quebec customers that used their smartphones in the U.S. and other international destinations after January 8, 2010.
The potential lawsuit stems from a complaint made by a Rogers’ Fido customer in Montreal who was billed $250.81 in extra charges for using 40.82 megabytes of data…
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Bell wanted connecting links and line-sharing service included
GATINEAU — The CRTC announced Tuesday it has denied an application from Bell Canada to expand previous regulatory policy determinations regarding the unbundled local loop framework and the rates for certain wholesale legacy services.
In its Telecom Regulatory Policy 2015-326 issued in July 2015, the Commission made a number of determinations regarding the regulatory framework for wholesale wireline services, including wholesale legacy services. Specifically, the CRTC determined that the provision of unbundled local loops (ULLs) would no longer be mandated and would be phased out, and that the rates for certain wholesale…
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MISSISSAUGA – Bell Canada today issued a press release saying it has successfully demonstrated fifth generation (5G) mobile technology in collaboration with Nokia.
Conducted at Bell's Wireless Innovation Centre in Mississauga, the trial used spectrum in the 73 GHz range to achieve sustained data speeds more than six times faster than top 4G mobile speeds now available in Canada, say the companies.
"The success of the first 5G trial means we are well positioned to lead the way to the next generation of mobile technology," said Stephen Howe, Bell's chief technology officer and executive vice president, in the release….
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