NEW LISKEARD, Ont. – As the provision of rural broadband has been the focus of an ongoing CRTC hearing, one of the companies which faced the CRTC last week today announced the launch of its new wireless network for Northern Ontario.
By early December, mobile customers along the Highway 11, 101, 65 and 66 corridors in Northern Ontario will be able to get on a brand new HSPA+ 3G network thanks to NorthernTel, a division of Bell Aliant. The company will switch on the High Speed Packet Access (HSPA+) network that is being built out across Canada by Bell…
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OTTAWA-GATINEAU – Telus is not violating the country’s unsolicited telecommunications rule by using automated calling devices, the CRTC has determined after an investigation.
Automated calling devices are used to dial telephone numbers and automatically deliver a pre-recorded message. The CRTC’s Automatic Dialing and Announcing Device Rules prohibit telemarketers from using these devices to sell or promote a product or service unless a consumer has consented to be called by them. Telus has used these devices to notify its prepaid mobile customers of an actual or imminent service interruption and how to purchase more minutes to avoid such an interruption.
“We are pleased that Telus acted…
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OTTAWA – Wireless services and their providers topped the list of approximately 3,700 complaints received by Canada’s Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) last year.
In its annual report, which covers the period from August 2009 through July 2010, the organization noted that the majority of complaints pertained to cellphone contracts and billing. Of the 3,747 complaints that it accepted last year, Bell (including Virgin and Solo) had 1,661; Rogers (including Fido) had 782; and Telus (plus Koodo) had 716.
“The wireless business has the highest rate of growth, the greatest pace of change, and the greatest degree of complexity – at least…
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TORONTO – Canada’s telco TV providers say that they are getting better and better at eating their cable competitors’ lunch, so to speak. And, they have no intention of easing up any time soon.
Bell Aliant, MTS, SaskTel and Telus met with broadcasters and content providers this week in Toronto to chat about their successes and plans for the future. And, they introduced a new member of their informal consortium, TbayTel, who recently began offering digital TV in Thunder Bay, ON.
The majority of the telcos extolled the virtues of their Microsoft Mediaroom platform, particularly how it allows them to offer functionality…
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GATINEAU – Canada’s major cable companies and telcos are squaring off against MTS Allstream and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre over the CRTC’s authority to mandate broadband as an essential service in the so-called “Obligation to Serve” CRTC proceeding beginning Tuesday in Timmins, Ont.
Comments filed with the CRTC in late August show that Bell Canada, Telus and all of the large cablecos are, not surprisingly, opposed to any Commission intervention on this matter, while PIAC and MTS firmly believe that the CRTC can make broadband essential.
The issue has become a central theme in the proceeding which will cover…
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MONT TREMBLANT — With the help of Telus, Mont Tremblant Ski Resort is launching a new mobile application – developed by Quebecor Media’s interactive marketing agency Nurun.
Free for users of iPhones and the Android smartphones, this tool will allow users to quickly locate any information on the resort they need, including promotional offers, programming, ski conditions, dining, lodging and more. The application features an augmented reality system enabling users to “live the full Tremblant Resort experience,” says the press release.
“The launch of the Tremblant application, possible thanks to the support of Telus, is another step in our mission to…
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OTTAWA – Telus is telling Industry Canada that it stands to lose as much as $200 million in an auction of the 2500 MHz bandwidth if the current spectrum swap proposal remains unchanged.
The company’s comments come as verbal sparring over the specific rules for transitioning wireless broadband spectrum in the band continued this month with interested parties arguing over transition deadlines and the amount of spectrum to be given back to Industry Canada for auction.
Telus says that adopting the department’s plan would result in incumbents retaining 21% more spectrum than they currently have. This “would be…
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TORONTO – Telus is extending its ‘Go Pink’ campaign in support of breast cancer detection through December 31, 2010.
Since May, Telus has donated $25 from the sale of its exclusive pink BlackBerry devices to local breast cancer organizations across Canada to help fund early breast cancer detection equipment.
“At Telus we believe technology can make a difference in our healthcare sector and by connecting our pink smart phones with a cause like breast cancer, we are helping to invest in technology that leads to better breast health,” said president and CEO, Darren Entwistle, Thursday during a speech in Toronto. “There…
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AFTER MICROSOFT OFFICIALLY launched Windows Phone 7, the next major version of its mobile operating system, a flurry of press releases hit Cartt.ca’s inbox about new phones that will utilize the new technology.
HTC Corporation unveiled five new Windows Phone 7 smart phones – HTC 7 Surround, HTC 7 Mozart, HTC 7 Trophy, HTC 7 Pro and HTC HD7. The company described Windows Phone 7 as "carefully crafted to help users get more done in fewer steps" thanks a unique Hub and Tile interface. The Windows Phone 7 Hubs offer quick and easy access to a user’s most recent information including People, pictures, games, music and video,…
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OTTAWA – Quebecor Media Inc. surprisingly revealed yesterday that the company was no longer going to seek “must carry” status for its Category 2 English language all news specialty channel Sun TV News.
The revelation marks a stunning reversal from previous statements that the channel required must carry status to be able to compete with the other specialty news stations, CTV Newsnet and CBC Newsworld (the company’s last application to the CRTC said without must-carry, the business case couldn’t work). Now the company says it will work within current CRTC rules, which will require Quebecor to negotiate carriage…
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