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…
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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…
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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…
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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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