BACK IN NOVEMBER, on a regulatory panel at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters final convention, I said then that the broadcasting in new media hearing, which is beginning this Tuesday in Gatineau, was a waste of time.
I qualified it, of course. I do think it’s a good idea that the Commission gather information on what new media is and what it’s doing to the regulated system – and generally be aware of what’s up, on line. But I stand by what I said, especially after seeing some of the submissions.
A hearing by a regulator into something that…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – While saying the business environment and financial performance of companies across Canada are likely to be adversely affected by the ongoing recession and the relative scarcity of financing, advertising-sensitive companies in the newspaper and television broadcasting sectors are likely to be most affected, according to Moody’s Investors Service.
"The recession will adversely affect advertising revenues and EBITDA will decline," said Moody’s vice-president – senior credit officer Bill Wolfe, "and this temporal matter may have lasting implications for these two struggling sectors."
While telecommunications and cable companies are unlikely to experience revenue or cash flow declines and their…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Telesat Holdings has hired Ian Scott as its executive director of government and regulatory affairs, effective immediately.
Before joining the satellite operator, Scott garnered more than 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry through senior government relations and regulatory positions in the private and public sectors, most recently as vice president of federal government relations for Telus.
"I am very pleased that Ian is joining Telesat to direct our Canadian government relations and regulatory initiatives, said Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s president and CEO, in the press release announcing the appointment. “Ian has extensive experience in government and the…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Canadian wireless companies say they will be ready for the CRTC’s new deadline for the launch of phase two of wireless emergency 911 service.
The Commission said today the deadline for wireless carriers to upgrade their technology – so that people can more easily be found in an emergency – is February 1, 2010. A combination of GPS or radio triangulation will be deployed and the Commission has mandated the technology be precise enough to be able to say where a handset is, within a radius of 10 to 300 metres.
Right now, emergency operators rely on…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – There were a spasm of news stories just after the holidays that highlighted the need for better emergency 911 service for wireless phones in Canada.
There have been a few accidents, and in one case, a fatality, that might have been averted if emergency personnel had been better able to pinpoint where a wireless caller was at the time they called.
And there is no doubt that better 911 service for wireless phones is, of course, a necessity here in Canada.
However, the stories in the consumer press centred on how the wireless industry in Canada hasn’t…
Continue Reading
VANCOUVER – Telus is predicting 4-6 % consolidated revenue growth in 2009, representing an increase of approximately $375 to $625 million.
The company released its financial targets for next year on Tuesday in a press release. Among its other predictions are:
– EBITDA growth of about 4%, though moderated by increased pension expense in 2009 due to equity market weakness in 2008;
– An increase in wireless revenue of 8-10%, due to continued growth in wireless subscribers, increased smart phone adoption and increased wireless data adoption and usage;
– An increase in wireline revenue of 3%, driven largely by…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – It was an overflow house of hundreds of family, friends, politicians and Canadian business glitterati who gathered in Toronto’s St. James Cathedral on a grey, rainy Tuesday morning to pay their final respects to Ted Rogers, the founder of Rogers Communications and one of the leading lights of Canadian business.
Rogers died December 2nd of heart disease at the age of 75.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, former PM Brian Mulroney, Shaw Communications founder JR Shaw and his son, CEO Jim Shaw, Telus CEO Darren Entwistle, Bell Canada CEO George Cope, Astral chairman Andre…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – With the privatization of Bell Canada looking like it’s dead, what with the release last week that KPMG can’t deliver a positive opinion on the solvency of the big telco post-deal, speculation has run rampant that Telus might still be interested in merging with Bell.
Scotia Capital analyst John Henderson issued an investor’s report saying that he believes there’s a 15% chance Of “Belus” happening. Telus did seriously want to kick Bell’s tires back in mid-2007 when the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan and its partners put together its deal to buy Bell, but the western telco Continue Reading
It is with great sadness that Rogers Communications Inc. announces the death of company founder Edward Samuel "Ted" Rogers, a visionary communications industry pioneer and a titan in Canadian business. He was 75.
(Ed Note: The following is the full press release detailing Ted Rogers’ life, issued by Rogers Communications.)
Mr. Rogers, known for his relentless drive, built Rogers Communications into a Canadian leader in wireless telecommunications, cable television, broadcasting, publishing and more. Mr. Rogers’ name is synonymous with innovative, high-quality communications products across Canada.
He leaves his wife, Loretta; four children: Lisa, Edward (Suzanne), Melinda (Eric) and Martha; and…
Continue Reading
EDMONTON – Super Channel has launched on Telus TV in Alberta and BC.
“We are very pleased that Telus is now offering Super Channel to their customers in western Canada,” said Malcolm Knox, Super Channel president and COO. “Whether viewers are looking for great exclusive series and movie premieres, insightful documentaries, recorded live concerts, anime, or live championship boxing, they are certain to find something of interest on our six channels – two in vibrant HD.”
www.telus.com www.superchannel.ca
Continue Reading
