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…
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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…
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OTTAWA – In a letter to incumbent telcos and others involved in the recent review of Globalive’s ownership by the CRTC, Industry Minister Tony Clement has asked for even more information as he examines the Commission’s call on the prospective new wireless entrant.
On October 29 the CRTC decided that since Egypt-based Orascom Telecom owned 65% of the equity in Globalive and virtually all of the debt, that the company was not Canadian controlled and could not operate as a telecom company in Canada. Our Telecom Act says our telcos, cablecos and broadcasters have to be majority Canadian-owned and…
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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…
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TORONTO – Digital imaging retailer Black’s has begun selling Telus’ wireless products and services after being purchased by the telco back in Sepetmber.
The national retail chain will carry a selection of Telus’ 3G and 3G+ wireless phones, including products from device manufacturers such as Research in Motion, HTC, Nokia, LG, Samsung and Motorola.
"The future of wireless begins today with the launch of the largest and fastest network in Canada," said Joe Natale, president of consumer solutions, in the announcement. "Our customer’s needs are evolving. More and more wireless devices come complete with high quality photo and video capabilities, and…
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TORONTO and VANCOUVER – Calling it “a bad day for Canadians and wireless competition in Canada”, Globalive may be down, but it doesn’t sound like they’re entirely out of the wireless industry in Canada.
After learning that the CRTC found it to be non-compliant with Canadian ownership and control requirements, the company said in a statement that “Wind Mobile will be delayed in becoming Canada’s newest competitive wireless operator in over a decade.”
It also expressed surprise that the Commission’s decision would be “at odds” with Industry Canada.
“Having already received approval from Industry Canada, we are extremely disappointed that the…
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REGINA, VANCOUVER and MONTREAL – SaskTel has signed wireless network sharing agreements with Telus and Bell, designed to expand their customers’ network coverage, improve roaming, and provide access to a wider range of wireless devices.
SaskTel initially announced its next generation network plans as part of its overall 2009 network investment program, which will ensure that all Saskatchewan residents have access to high speed Internet coverage, and that 98% have access to wireless service. SaskTel’s UMTS/HSPA network is scheduled to launch mid-2010 with a targeted completion date of 2011.
"SaskTel has continually evolved its wireless network in Saskatchewan to provide its customers…
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VANCOUVER – In a move that most likely will spark a price war between incumbents, Telus has announced that its new rate plans will drop the system access and carrier 911 fees.
Its new ‘Clear Choice’ plans will apply across both new business and consumer wireless rate plans when Telus debuts its new network on November 5.
“Clear and simple is at the heart of Telus’ brand promise, the future is friendly," said president and CEO Darren Entwistle, in the announcement. "Nobody likes surprises. We are listening to Canadians, who have told us wireless pricing can be confusing. With Telus’ Clear Choice plans, the…
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VANCOUVER – Telus will begin selling the Apple iPhone 3GS on the same day that it launches its new 3G+ network: on November 5, 2009.
The new next generation wireless network, stretching more than 1.1 million square km, will allow for wireless data download speeds of up to 21 megabits per second, access to new mobile devices, and international roaming service to more than 200 countries.
The iPhone 3GS, which boasts improved speed and performance, a longer battery life, a 3 megapixel autofocus camera, video recording and hands free voice control, will be available for $199.99 for the 16GB model on…
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TORONTO –
Whether it’s true IPTV or a version of DSL doesn’t really matter and in a Canadian context anyway, that’s a significant number (right around the total number of people living in Windsor, Ont.). And they are building, experimenting and taking customers away from their primary competitors, cable.
This week in Toronto, a number of the traditional telecom companies which are now offering TV are meeting with the various programmers in Canada and from the States to talk about their expansion plans (more regions, more customers, more channels).
Most are adding channels and capabilities. Some are newer and serve a…
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