VANCOUVER – Telus is extending its support of relief efforts in Japan by offering customers free long distance calls to the country on their wireless devices and home phones through April 30.
The company said Wednesday that its customers have already made nearly 40,000 free calls to Japan since it introduced free calling on March 11. It also encouraged customers to continue to be a part of the relief efforts by continuing to text QUAKE to 45678 to donate $10 to The Salvation Army in Canada, or by texting ASIA to 30333 to donate $5 to The Canadian Red Cross Society, through the end of…
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VANCOUVER – Telus is teaming up with producer Blink Media Works on a weekly series featuring a variety of applications (apps) designed to help users go green, find the best deals, manage their money, keep mentally sharp and physically healthy and even stay groovy.
Hosted by Mike Agerbo and Maryam Mehrtash, AppTV will launch April 2 on The Cave, followed by airings on CHEK TV, and Sun TV. Each 30 minute episode promises to include a countdown of the top apps in a different category each week, the inside scoop on the most popular apps and how to use them, plus quick…
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OTTAWA – As Bell Canada stole the show with its usage-based billing (UBB) backdown earlier this week, the fact that the cable companies also suggested that billing on an aggregate use basis might be a more palatable approach was overlooked.
Under this type of model, the independent ISP which leases network capacity from a facilities-based carrier would be charged for a pre-determined amount of bandwidth that it could then offer to all of its customers. If the small ISP exceeds this amount, it would be charged additional fees. The current UBB approach contemplates charging independent ISPs on per-customer basis….
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MONTREAL – Videotron is appealing a CRTC decision forcing it to share video-on-demand content with competitors.
Cartt.ca has learned that Videotron has filed a motion with the Federal Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the Commission’s January decision which ruled that Videotron must offer content from the TVA network that is currently available on its illico on-demand platform to Bell and Telus for use on their on-demand platforms in Quebec.
Citing “errors of law and jurisdiction”, Videotron is challenging the CRTC’s finding of undue preference, alleges that the Commission “misapplied” the TV and BDU regulations, and questions whether TVA can be…
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OTTAWA – Telus will invest $22 million across Manitoba this year to further expand and enhance its 4G wireless services for consumers, businesses and healthcare providers.
The telco said that it will focus on bringing service to more communities and highway corridors in the province, plus strengthen its coverage to include Brandon, Selkirk, Steinbach, Portage la Prairie and Victoria Beach.
"Our planned $22 million investment this year in advanced communications technology continues Telus’ proud history of providing Winnipeg with access to telecommunications that are the envy of the world," said Michael Sangster, VP of government relations, in the announcement. "This year,…
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TORONTO and VANCOUVER – Telus and Cogeco Data Services have both stepped up to honour of Earth Hour on Saturday night.
Telus said that it will turn off all non-essential lights at 8:30 p.m. local time on March 26 at 28 of its major buildings across Canada in response to Earth Hour 2011’s global call to action in respect of climate change.
"By taking part in Earth Hour we are not only supporting a global initiative that raises awareness of the need for all of us to act responsibly, we are making a statement in support of environmental sustainability," said Josh Blair,…
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OTTAWA – The CRTC has given its thumbs up to the revised monthly recurring rates and service charge rates for the wholesale line-sharing services of the major incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) Bell Aliant, Bell Canada, MTS Allstream, SaskTel, and Telus.
Line-sharing service is a wholesale service that provides access to the high-frequency band of unbundled copper local loops. Under a line-sharing service arrangement, the co-located competitor provisions its own digital subscriber line access multiplexer to offer high-speed Internet access service to its end-customers.
The Commission also established the conditions under which line-sharing service is to be offered. Click here…
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CALGARY – Shaw Communications made its first significant restructuring move under new CEO Brad Shaw on Wednesday, letting more than 500 people go.
“About 150 were VP, director, supervisor, that sort of level,” company president Peter Bissonnette told Cartt.ca. “It was just over 500.” The payroll reduction will result in $30-$40 million in annual savings, he added.
The hardest hit areas were Calgary, where approximately 150 were let go; the Vancouver area, with about 100 cuts (including the closure of the company’s Langley warehouse); and Saskatoon, where a 58-person call centre is being shuttered (traffic to that call centre will…
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OTTAWA – Telus will invest $4.5 million in Ottawa this year to offer faster wireless and wireline services to consumers, businesses and healthcare providers.
“This year Telus will continue to bring Ottawa faster wireless broadband services as we introduce HSPA+ Dual Cell, one of the most advanced wireless technologies in the world”, said Terry Nemeth, vice-president of sales, public sector for Ontario and Atlantic, in the announcement. “Telus is also committed to working with all levels of government in Ontario to advance the provision of life-changing healthcare and education services over our networks.”
Telus said that it supports the rollout of…
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TORONTO – Corus Entertainment has hired Maria Hale as its vice-president, television, head of programming and production.
Starting April 4, Hale will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction for Corus’ television programming decisions, including content production, acquisitions and distribution strategies across the company’s specialty and pay channels. She will report to Doug Murphy, EVP and president, television.
“We’re excited to have Maria lead our talented programming team at Corus,” said Murphy in a statement on Monday. “Maria’s breadth of experience in the industry coupled with her significant managerial talents and strategic insights into the ever evolving entertainment landscape make her the…
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