Telus said last week the copper-to-PureFibre transition of its network is driving significant sustainability benefits and contributing to Canada’s net-zero targets, having already resulted in a cumulative reduction of more than 7,400 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions since 2018, the Vancouver-based telecom claims.
“This is attributed to the decommissioning of thousands of copper devices and our copper retirement program, where we have recycled or repurposed more than 3,600 tonnes of copper, offsetting the need to mine new copper sources,” a Telus press release says.
“Copper plays a vital role in Canada’s electrification strategy,…
Continue Reading
The CRTC last week informed TerreStar via letter that the commission was denying the Montreal-based mobile satellite and cell services provider’s request for a stay of its June 2023 decision not to allow the company to reduce its regulatory fee obligations by deducting its spectrum leasing revenues.
TerreStar has argued the revenues generated from the sale or leasing of spectrum did not qualify as a telecommunications-related expense, which would have reduced its obligation to the National Contribution Fund (NCF), which is used to fund broadband infrastructure in Canada.
TerreStar filed a Continue Reading
Bell cutting investments does not constitute irreparable harm, court said
By Ahmad Hathout
The Federal Court of Appeal will hear Bell’s arguments challenging a decision by the CRTC to allow competitors to ride on its last mile fibre network, but stopped short of immediately suspending that decision until it deliberates on the matter because it is not convinced that the telco will suffer irreparable harm if a stay is not granted.
The CRTC ordered in November that Bell and Telus provide on a temporary basis access within six months to their last mile fibre facilities in Ontario and Quebec on an aggregated…
Continue Reading
Company reported 17 per cent higher net income in the quarter
By Ahmad Hathout
Telus executives said Friday they are not satisfied with where their churn numbers are and are seeking to aggressively bundle products to further reduce the rate of defections from the company.
Last month, the Vancouver-based telecom launched its latest version of its Stream+ product, which bundles three popular streaming services. The telecom’s latest version bundles Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video in one package at a reduced rate compared to if a customer were to buy the individual services separately.
Telus executives said Thursday that this…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
Independent internet service provider CIK Telecom filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC earlier this month requesting that it reduce the interim rates for aggregated last mile fibre access and to clarify that the large telecoms cannot access the regime.
The telecom claims that the rates set by the regulator for interim access to Bell and Telus facilities going to the premises in Ontario and Quebec are still higher than what those telcos charge in the market, meaning third parties cannot be competitive.
It’s an argument that has been made by other telecoms, including those under Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
The CRTC accepted late last month a request by Quebecor for the regulator to determine a rate for its access to Telus’s wireless network.
The carriers had tried to come to a commercial agreement and a commission-staff-assisted mediation on the rate for access through the mobile virtual network operator framework but could not come to amicable terms.
The regulator will now choose which rate – Quebecor’s or Telus’s – is most appropriate for that access, which will allow the Montreal-based telecom to further expand into new territory.
Telus had opposed going to final offer arbitration (FOA) because the parties were…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
Bell has filed a petition to cabinet asking for it to rescind a decision by the CRTC that mandated, on an interim basis, access to its last mile fibre facilities on an aggregated basis.
The CRTC mandated in November that Bell and Telus provide access in Ontario and Quebec to their last mile fibre network within a six-month period under the aggregated regime, which allows competitors to bundle the telcos’ traffic transport mile. The decision is interim until the CRTC makes a final decision on that regime at the conclusion of its wholesale internet review.
Bell, which is already…
Continue Reading
Magnify Digital, a Vancouver-based company that specializes in audience development technology for the creative industries, announced last week the Canada Media Fund (CMF), Telefilm Canada and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are joining founding sponsors Bell Fund, Shaw Rocket Fund and Telus Fund to expand Magnify Digital’s Audience Development Pilot.
The pilot leverages Magnify Digital’s ScreenMiner, a tool that “empowers producers and filmmakers by providing invaluable data to understand audiences, enhance marketing strategies, and increase viewership for their film, TV, and web content,” according to a press release.
“ScreenMiner aggregates data…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
After receiving multiple applications over three years, the CRTC on Monday opened a proceeding on the regulation of small cell wireless equipment on telco support structures, as competitors accelerate their 5G deployments.
The regulator wants to hear from interested parties about whether it has jurisdiction over wireless facilities on those telco structures, whether the current telco support structure tariffs encompass those wireless facilities, and whether there should be a requirement for attaching telecoms to get a permit to hook up those facilities to those structures.
The commission said in the notice Monday that it holds the preliminary view that…
Continue Reading
Opponents say spectrum leasing serves the same purpose
By Ahmad Hathout
In an effort to maximize the use of a finite resource, Innovation Canada introduced Tuesday a long-expected policy for spectrum called access licensing, which would facilitate the migration of licenses not in use by holders toward other providers who will use them in smaller remote and indigenous territories.
The hotly debated policy will impact smaller Tier 5 areas and immediately target the 800 MHz (cellular) band, the Personal Communications Services band (1850-1910 MHz and 1930-1990 MHz), and the 900 MHz Land Mobile Radio (LMR) band. ISED said it will evaluate on…
Continue Reading
