By Ahmad Hathout
Rogers and Quebecor are challenging a decision by the CRTC to extend by two years the implementation of the next-generation 911 service, saying they will be forced to assume millions of dollars in unnecessary costs for a longer period of time.
The CRTC in March extended by two years the full implementation deadline for the new system, which will allow first responders to receive texts and multimedia messages from distressed callers. Crucially with that decision, the regulator maintained the dual-rate model, meaning originating network providers (ONPs) – which link up with Bell and Telus, the managers of the…
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By Ahmad Hathout
Telus has filed a notice of discontinuance requesting the Federal Court of Appeal no longer consider its judicial review application challenging an order from the federal cabinet recommending the CRTC contemplate banning the “Big Three” from access to the last-mile fibre regime.
The Vancouver-based telco insisted in March that its case was still relevant – despite the CRTC declining to change its November 2023 interim decision in response to the cabinet order – because the government still had another opportunity to vary or rescind that subsequent decision by May 5.
That date has come and gone…
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Telus said Wednesday it will launch a new national rewards program on Thursday that welcomes all Telus customers to its loyalty program.
The new Telus Rewards program features a redesigned tiers-based system that rewards customers for their loyalty and unlocks exclusive benefits and perks, shifting from a points-only approach to a more comprehensive points-and-perks model, Telus said in an emailed announcement.
The program introduces a number of new perks, including a free Mobile Klinik screen protector service, international roaming passes, video on demand rentals for Optik TV customers, complimentary Telus Health MyPet virtual consultations, and…
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By Ahmad Hathout
The CRTC has closed the loop on a matter it opened over a year ago: that it does, indeed, have concurrent jurisdiction with Industry Canada over the wireless attachments on telco-owned or controlled structures.
The ruling means the installation of small cell and Wi-Fi equipment is subject to the support structure tariffs filed to the commission, which was the starting point for the matter in question.
The commission held that preliminary view since February 2024 after Rogers and Quebecor applied to it for an order directing Bell, which was accused…
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Telus announced Wednesday its entertainment bundle combining the most popular streaming services and live TV channels is being launched in Ontario and more regions of Quebec.
“Customers in select regions can now build their ideal mix of premium streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+ and illico+ with core live TV channels,” reads a Telus press release.
“At TELUS, our customers are the centre of every innovation we deliver,” said Zainul Mawji, executive vice president and president of Telus Consumer Solutions, in the release. “With this launch, TELUS becomes the only…
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By Peter Menzies, former newspaper executive, past vice chair of the CRTC, and a Macdonald-Laurier Institute Senior Fellow
On June 1, the Vancouver Whitecaps will play one of the most important games a Canadian club sports team has ever played.
In most countries – in fact in almost any country – broadcasters would be clamouring over each other for the ability to show it. The national public broadcaster might be claiming it as a program of national interest and politicians would be weighing in to play a little hero ball of their own and grab the spotlight.
The Whitecaps’ Concacaf Champions League…
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Telus and Calgary-based dark fibre solutions provider F3 Networks announced last week Telus PureFibre services will soon be available to 90 per cent of homes in Red Deer, Alberta, thanks to a $168-million investment by F3 Networks.
“In the coming weeks, residents and businesses can expect to see construction notices and communications from F3 Networks, the owner of the fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) network, and AFL, the primary construction contractor,” reads a Telus press release. “Once the project is complete, TELUS will engage newly connected residents and businesses to help them find the services that will best meet…
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Bell Canada on Monday launched a new multimedia campaign, “Build. Connect. Grow Canada”, calling on the CRTC and new federal government to implement what it calls “smart policies” to unlock billions in private sector investments to build critical fibre infrastructure.
Bell said in a Monday press release 7.8 million homes and businesses across Bell’s footprint currently have access to its pure-fibre network, but the CRTC’s recent decision to uphold the Big Three telecom providers’ access to the aggregated last-mile fibre facilities of Bell and Telus on a wholesale basis has…
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By Ahmad Hathout
Telus CEO Darren Entwistle said Friday that Canadians value reliability over price, as he lamented the wireless industry’s trend of price matching in a race to the bottom he said he doesn’t understand.
“Why can’t we have a price premium if we have better product features, but more particularly better customer service for our clients,” he said on the company’s first quarter earnings conference call. “Why do we always have to price match, price match, price match in a race to the bottom? Why can’t we build the culture of psychology, a set of competencies to be able…
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By Ahmad Hathout
Bell announced Thursday that it has struck a deal with one of Canada’s largest pension funds to invest over US $1.5 billion to help Ziply Fiber, a soon-to-be Bell subsidiary in the United States, build its fibre infrastructure in new markets.
The long-term strategic partnership will see the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP) own 49 per cent of Network FiberCo, which will focus on new last-mile fibre investments in “growth markets” outside Ziply’s existing footprint of two million locations. Bell will own the rest of the equity in the partnership and all of Ziply’s operations, subscribers and…
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