Search Results for: telus

Cable / Telecom News

Avail sales can help make Cancon, says O’Farrell

GATINEAU – The sale of advertising time on American cable channels, by a new third-party company, can help fix what ails the broadcasting system, says former Canadian Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Glenn O’Farrell. His new company, Mediadenovo (Italian for “media of the new”, we’re told) would be a new programming undertaking that would sell the two minutes per hour of local availability ad time to national advertisers. Mediadenovo submitted its application for a license to the CRTC months ago, said O’Farrell, but it has yet to be made public. American cable channels like CNN, A&E, Golf Channel and others… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus and former CAB chief O’Farrell puts third-party U.S. avail sales back on the agenda

GATINEAU – The sale of advertising time on American cable channels, by a new third-party company, is now back on the industry’s agenda. In its presentation to the CRTC this morning Telus advocated an approach by Mediadenovo which would see the new company (Italian for “media of the new”, we’re told) – which is headed by former Canadian Association of Broadcasters president and CEO Glenn O’Farrell – sell the two minutes per hour of local availability ad time to national advertisers. American cable channels like CNN, A&E, Golf Channel and others make that time available to distributors to sell into local… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Lack of priorities have turned hearing into “waste of time and resources”, says Telus

OTTAWA – Telus’ Michael Hennessy says that it all comes down to priorities. In advance of his company’s presentation in front of the CRTC on Tuesday, the SVP of regulatory and government affairs said that the current fee-for-carriage discussions are “doing everything backwards” because they failed to set priorities, and to recognize consumer sovereignty in today’s digital world. “Our fundamental position is that what we’re talking about now is a tremendous waste of our time and resources because we’re not giving consumers enough credit, and listening to how they want to define the television world, or the entertainment and informational world… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

With new net in place, Telus sues Rogers over “fastest”, “most reliable” claims

VANCOUVER – A week after the launch of its new HSPA wireless network, Telus launched a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against Rogers Communications over the latter’s continuing claim to the “fastest network.” “(S)ince November 5, 2009, Telus has been using a newer HSPA/HSPA+ network than the HSPA/HSPA+ part of the Rogers… network,” reads Telus’ statement of claim. “The Rogers… Network is not more reliable than the Telus… network.” The claim also notes that Rogers claim to be the fastest also no longer stands and that Telus’ new net – which is built along with Bell Canada –… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Globalive still optimistic, Telus urges “caution” as Industry Canada deadline passes

TORONTO and CALGARY – With Industry Canada’s review of the CRTC decision on Globalive still on-going, it’s hurry up and wait for the potential new wireless entrant. With nothing but time on its hands, the company has sent 400 of their newly trained employees out in Calgary and the Greater Toronto Area to commit ‘random acts of kindness’ such as distributing hand sanitizer and pumping gas, or helping with charities such as the Salvation Army and local food banks. In the meantime, incumbent telcos and even Globalive itself have been busy compiling their submissions for Industry Minister Tony Clement to aid in the review process.  All… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Obey the law, Clement told by unlikely partnership

OTTAWA – We choked a little on our coffee when we read the co-signers, but a letter to Industry Minister Tony Clement – to be printed Monday in an ad in the Hill Times newspaper – urges him to respect the Telecom Act as he reviews the CRTC’s decision on Globalive’s lack of Canadian ownership. Signed by western competitors Telus and Shaw Communications, along with the Canadian Film and Television Producers Association (which often doesn’t see eye-to-eye with carriers) and wireless newbie Public Mobile, the letter reinforces to the Minister that the CRTC was and is right to tell Globalive… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus pledges $7.1M to charity this year

VANCOUVER – In celebration of National Philanthropy Day this Sunday, Telus said that it will donate $7.1 million to more than 2,900 charities in Canada this year through its employee charitable giving program. The program matches member contributions to eligible charities dollar for dollar. Team members and retirees can choose to make a donation through payroll or pension deduction, and the company covers all administration costs. "At Telus, we give where we live," said Josh Blair, EVP of human resources, in the press release. "Many members of our communities are facing difficult times and it’s important for Telus to support the… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Public Mobile’s Kristajic sees acquisition opportunity in Globalive “mess”

TORONTO – As his wireless company nears its launch in the new year, Public Mobile CEO Alek Kristajic was talking tough this week, addressing how the company plans to attack the Canadian marketplace while applauding the CRTC for standing firm on Globalive’s ownership shortcomings. Speaking at the Scotia Capital 2010 Telecom and Tech Conference on Tuesday, Kristajic (a former Rogers Cable and Bell Canada executive) emphasized how he believes his company is going after a market that no one else has tended to yet: “the low end of the market that doesn’t have a cell phone,” he said. When western markets… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Cell phone match maker aims to make connections

TORONTO – A new website called myCELLmyTERMS is promising to match cell phone users with their ideal cell phone plan. In a concept that seems similar to a match making service, the company asks customers to input their wish list for their cell phone services, including preferred device, specific features and ideal month fee, and then shops the plan anonymously to their network of wireless dealers. The dealers compete for the business, and MCMT ranks the bids based on the requested criteria. The customer can review them and either propose a counter-offer, or select the deal that they like best. “What our… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Telus drops outlook as Q3 revenue, profit fall

VANCOUVER – Telus lowered its 2009 guidance to investors after reporting a drop in revenue and profit for its third quarter ended September 30, 2009. Net income dipped 2% to $280 million which included favourable income tax-related adjustments related to prior years’ tax matters. Excluding income tax-related adjustments, net income dropped by 7%. Operating revenue was $2.4 billion, a decrease of $39 million from last year. Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) decreased by 5% primarily due to lower revenues, higher defined benefit pension plan expenses, and higher restructuring costs from ongoing operating efficiency initiatives. The company said that… Continue Reading