OTTAWA – Comments filed on the CRTC’s reconsideration of speed matching strike a familiar refrain: Would-be competitors say Canadians will suffer if the CRTC doesn’t mandate speed matching and access to higher-speed local access facilities for them, while incumbent telcos tell the Commission that doing so will threaten future network investments.
Telcos were already required under CRTC regulations to provide speed matching (also referred to as service parity) to competitors over both legacy copper facilities as well as their faster fibre, or next-generation networks (NGNs). But the implementation of the rule was put on hold following appeals to the…
Continue Reading
VANCOUVER – The economy plus investments in its network infrastructure combined to cut fourth quarter profits at Telus by 45%.
Canada’s second largest telecom reported net income of $156 million for the quarter, down from $285 million a year ago. Revenue of $2.44 billion decreased by $11 million over the same period last year, which the company said reflected continued declines in traditional voice services, which offset growth in data and wireless revenues.
Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) decreased by 16% from the fourth quarter of 2008, primarily due to higher restructuring costs from on-going operating…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The CRTC has denied a request from wireless industry stakeholders that it conduct separate reviews of the mobile data services framework and its applicability under the recently established Internet traffic management practices (ITMP) framework.
Bell Aliant, Bell Canada, NorthernTel, Télébec société en commandite and SaskTel supported the requests made by Telus and Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, while the Public Interest Advocacy Centre and the Canadian Film and Television Production Association opposed the requests.
In its decision, the Commission said that it “is not persuaded that the scope of NoC 2010-43 should be modified as requested”, and…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Telus has become the first wireless carrier in Canada to offer over-the-air DRM-free (digital rights management) music tracks to Canadians.
DRM-free music means that customers can now play back or transfer music purchased from the Telus Music shop on any of their digital music capable devices including cell phones, smart phones or PCs.
"Telus is the first carrier in Canada offering true freedom of choice to all music lovers in Canada," said David Neale, chief futurist and SVP of strategic content services at Telus, in the announcement. "The availability of DRM-free music from Telus means our clients can now…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Three of Canada’s largest telecommunications service providers agree that it’s time to review the nearly 10-year-old contribution regime and make changes to the local subsidy that better reflect the reality of today’s telephony landscape.
Their comments come after the CRTC issued a consultation on the contribution regime and other related matters last week (Telecom Notice of Consultation 2010-43).
The current contribution regime, established back in 2000 (Telecom Decision 2000-745), requires all TSPs with revenues greater than $10 million to provide a portion of their earnings to a national pool that would be made available to telecom…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Wireless industry stakeholders are calling on the CRTC to initiate a separate review of the mobile data services framework and its applicability under the recently established Internet traffic management practices (ITMP) framework, rather than include the matter in a broader consultation on certain legacy telecom obligations.
They say the matter is largely administrative in nature and can be best handled separately.
“It would be a lot simpler in my mind to have dealt with that in a very small paper proceeding,” Michael Hennessy, Telus’ senior VP of regulatory and government affairs said in an interview.
“I suspect…
Continue Reading
VANCOUVER – Telus TV customers in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton can now have Microsoft Mediaroom power their IPTV service.
The telco launched the service Tuesday to the majority of its customers in British Columbia and Alberta, and said that the roll out will be “expanded over time”. Existing TV customers can upgrade to the new software platform in the next few months.
“With so many great shows and events airing at the same time, it can be a challenge to decide what to watch, what to record to watch later, and what to miss”, said CTO Ibrahim Gedeon, in the announcement. “TELUS TV‘s HD PVR…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – It was a big fake switch connected to nothing, but with the help of five of the world’s most beautiful lingerie models (dressed by Canadian designers interpreting some smart phones in their designs) Virgin Mobile Canada symbolically activated its new network (the HSPA+ net built by its parent Bell Canada and Telus).
Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group visited by pre-recorded phone call (and was pictured in his space suit). "Since our launch, Virgin Mobile has consistently challenged itself to be the leader in delivering a brilliant customer experience and today is the start of a…
Continue Reading
MONTREAL; WINNIPEG and OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Both Bell and MTS Allstream debuted their enhanced wireless 911 services Monday, squeaking in just under the CRTC-imposed deadline.
Wireless E911 is now available to Bell Mobility and Solo Mobile clients with compatible handsets wherever wireline 911 service exists in Canada, while MTS Allstream introduced the service across its CDMA cellular network in Manitoba. Telus launched its upgraded emergency service last week.
The enhanced 911 (E911) phase II capability is the result of a year-long effort involving Canada’s wireless carriers, local telephone companies and 911 call centres across the country. The CRTC set February…
Continue Reading
VANCOUVER – Telus announced today it can better identify the location of wireless 911 calls with the launch of new Global Positioning System (GPS) and triangulation technologies.
Telus has now implemented phase II enhanced wireless 911 (e911) services across its three wireless networks, which are based on HSPA, CDMA, and iDEN (Mike) technologies. Telus has been working with individual 911 operations centres across the country to test and bring phase II e911 technology online for many months, the company said today.
“Through our partnership with 911 and emergency services operations centres across Canada, this new enhanced 911 service will make…
Continue Reading
