Search Results for: telus

Cable / Telecom News

Telus eyes Quebec market

MONTREAL – Telus could go head to head with incumbent Videotron after announcing plans to beef up its advanced broadband services in Quebec via a $250 million investment. In addition to expanding its wireless broadband network throughout the province, the Western-based telco said that it will expand its Telus TV service in the Québec City region, as well as roll out the enhanced version of high definition Telus TV which uses Microsoft Mediaroom. Since 2000, Telus has made more than $7.6 billion in operating and capital investments in Quebec, the company said. "Telus’ significant and on-going investment in technology is also delivering advances… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus will invest $650M in B.C. this year

VANCOUVER – Telus will invest an additional $650 million in B.C. this year to further expand its advanced broadband services in the province. "Since 2000, Telus has invested more than $22 billion in technology and operations in British Columbia”, said president and CEO Darren Entwistle, in a statement Tuesday. “This significant commitment is bringing the benefits of one of the world’s most advanced wireless networks, high speed Internet and high definition Telus TV to more people in our home province." The investment in information, communications and technology will also support healthcare, environmental initiatives and new education and commerce opportunities for various… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Citytv Vancouver goes HD

VANCOUVER – Citytv-owned CKVU debuted in high definition on Monday for viewers who receive the basic HD service from major cable operators serving the Vancouver market. "Citytv is thrilled that viewers in the Vancouver market are now able to watch their favourite programming in HD," said Renato Zane, VP and GM of Rogers Media Television B.C., in the announcement. "We’re confident that audiences will enjoy this enhanced viewing experience." Cable operators offering CKVU HD include Novus Entertainment, Shaw Communications and Telus TV. www.Citytv.com Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus turns off lights, turns on texts in support of Earth Hour

VANCOUVER – Telus has launched a text-to-donate campaign in support of Earth Hour this weekend. In cooperation with the Mobile Giving Foundation, Telus customers can now donate funds to the WWF-Canada, the official organizer of Canada’s Earth Hour, via an SMS message. Using their mobile devices, customers can text the word "earth" to 45678 to donate $5, to a maximum of $30 each month. "I’m very proud of Telus’ commitment to environmental sustainability and our team members’ enthusiastic support of Earth Hour," said Andrew Wilczynski, director of environment and corporate social responsibility for Telus, in a press release. "For our sake… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus to sink $650M into Alberta infrastructure

EDMONTON and CALGARY – Telus hopes to give Shaw a run for its money right in its own backyard. The Vancouver-based telco said Wednesday that it will invest $650 million in Alberta this year to extend the reach and speed of its advanced wireline and wireless broadband services – including Telus TV. "This massive commitment to the province is enabling one of the world’s leading wireless networks and the widespread availability of high definition Telus TV”, said president and CEO Darren Entwistle, in the announcement. “This year’s capital investment continues Telus’ longstanding commitment to providing Albertans with access to some of… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Canadian Music Week: ISPs sidestep criticism in collective music licensing debate

TORONTO – Internet service providers got little more than a slap on the wrist Friday during a Canadian Music Week session billed as ‘ISP Liability on Trial’, where panellists debated the role of ISPs in protecting the rights of music creators and publishers in the on-line world. Although there was a palpable feeling of frustration emanating from David Basskin, president and CEO of the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA), most of Basskin’s disdain was targeted at the Federal Government which had no representation on the panel. Collective rights management agencies such as CMRRA and SOCAN (the Society of… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Zoompass trials contactless mobile payment technology

TORONTO – Canadians may soon be able to pay for their groceries or gas up using only their mobile phones and a wireless payment sticker. The Zoompass Tag, the next step in the evolution of the mobile payment system Zoompass, is a wireless payment device designed in the form of a sticker that can be attached to a mobile phone.  It lets consumers simply tap their phones at checkout to make real-time purchases at retail stores such as Tim Hortons, McDonalds, Petro Canada and Loblaws. By tapping a mobile phone with the Zoompass Tag on a contactless reader at the point-of-sale,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus, Rogers and Bell complete mobile video calling tests

TORONTO – Canadian mobile phone users will soon be able to make video calls across competing mobile networks after Rogers, Bell and Telus announced the completion of two-way mobile video calling trials. Mobile video calling is currently available through several carriers in Canada, but both callers must be on the same carrier’s network using compatible handsets. When inter-carrier mobile video calling is launched video calling will be possible across multiple carrier networks and will create North America’s largest two-way mobile video calling community, say the companies. "We are proud to be part of the first inter-carrier partnership in North America to… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers adds DRM-free song downloads, album pre-orders to music service

TORONTO – Following Telus’ lead, Rogers is offering DRM-free (digital rights management) song downloads through its music service. Visitors to Rogers’ full-track over-the-air music downloads store urMusic can now purchase and download DRM-free (also known as MP3) music tracks to their wireless device or computer, and then transfer them to their other digital music-capable electronic devices, free of charge. Rogers is also offering customers the ability to pre-order albums in advance of their release date. DRM-free music tracks are priced at $0.69, $0.99 and up to $1.29 per track. Full album purchases generally cost less than $10, plus applicable download… Continue Reading

Radio / Television News

Prime Time 2010: Eliminating OTA Cancon expenditures a mistake says CRTC chair

OTTAWA – CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein said Friday the regulator had “made a mistake” in eliminating Canadian content spending requirements for over-the-air broadcasters back in 1999. Speaking in conversation with broadcast veteran Trina McQueen during the CFTPA Prime Time in Ottawa conference, von Finckenstein added, “It doesn’t make sense.” However, the chair noted that the system “can’t turn back.” While failing to confirm expenditures would be revived in upcoming regulation, it looks like the CRTC is heading that way. McQueen noted that the CRTC should not want “to make the same mistake over again” (by not changing the rules). Can’t the amount… Continue Reading