OTTAWA – The CRTC said Wednesday it will hold a hearing beginning on June 28 to consider applications by two not-for-profit indigenous television networks to add their channels to the digital basic television packages of the broadcasters.
The regulator received applications from Nunavut Independent Television Network and Inuit TV Network to add Uvagut TV and Inuit TV, respectively, to the $25 packages that consist of channels the broadcasters must carry by regulation.
Uvagut TV, which launched in January 2021, broadcasts Inuit-made children’s shows, movies, documentaries, and informational, cultural, public access and current affairs programming. Its service is currently available in basic…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Internet service provider TekSavvy is warning the CRTC that if it does not address unregulated wholesale access rates in the industry, “there may not be any independent wholesale competitors remaining.”
In January, the ISP filed a Part 1 application asking the CRTC to investigate the legality of the matter in light of Rogers’s proposed deal to provide Videotron access to its network at below CRTC regulated rates as a condition of its acquisition of Shaw. It also accused Bell of self-preferencing by providing its recently purchased affiliate Ebox with preferential rates for access…
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VANCOUVER – The union representing 6,800 Telus workers across the country said Monday it has reached a tentative agreement with the telecom giant after a meeting with company executives over the weekend.
The bargaining committee of the United Steelworkers Local 1944 said in a blog post that it will recommend members ratify the offer made by Telus. It has scheduled meetings to run from March 13 to 15.
“This has been a long and difficult process,” the post said. “The resolve of your Bargaining Committee and, most importantly, the support of the membership have resulted in a settlement that would allow…
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Commission will release decision on last mile fibre access before wholesale rate hearing
Note: This story has been updated with comments from the CRTC chair, CNOC, and TekSavvy
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Just three weeks after receiving a new policy direction from Innovation Canada that emphasized broadband rates, the CRTC on Wednesday launched its proceeding to revisit the wholesale internet access framework to correct what it says are increasing prices for Canadians.
The commission is seeking updates from the public on aspects of the wholesale regime, including the state of competition, the importance and the future of the aggregated and disaggregated regime,…
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Buying smaller ISPs “a strategy” for getting to 100% coverage, Rogers CEO says
By Ahmad Hathout
Note: This story has been updated with comments from Bell CEO Mirko Bibic.
TORONTO – Rogers president and CEO Tony Staffieri said Tuesday that the delay in getting approval for the company’s proposed acquisition of Shaw has allowed it to refine its strategy as a consolidated entity.
“While we’re disappointed with the delay…what the time has allowed us to do is solidify our integration plans while at the same time – over the last year and a bit – we went through a bit of our own…
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By Ahmad Hathout
VANCOUVER – As the British Columbia government prepares to take bids for a new telecommunications services agreement proposal expected for this summer, the province reported in a quarterly report last year that it had saved $471 million with its existing deal with Telus.
The savings are outlined in the performance report for the period ending on March 31, 2022, which was obtained from a freedom of information request. The existing 12-year Telus deal, signed in 2011, is worth $1.6 billion with commitments from the Vancouver-based telecom to invest in the province, including building cell towers and upgrading existing…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – An application by Bell requesting the CRTC stop collecting money for the Broadband Fund until it delivers money already collected is drawing support from other providers.
The Part 1 application, filed by the telco in December, requested that the CRTC refund existing amounts not distributed and pause its intended collection of $150 million from the internet service providers in 2023 until it conducts the preplanned policy review in year three of the $750-million fund this year.
The fund, which is used to get high-speed internet to underserved areas, collects the money from the providers…
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VANCOUVER – The union representing 6,800 Telus workers across the country said Monday it is gathering support for a call to strike after it failed to get a new deal with the telecommunications giant.
The United Steelworkers Local 1994 and Telus have been in a back-and-forth over terms since October 2021, two months before the previous contract expired. Earlier this month, the union threatened escalatory action if Telus did not agree to its terms. In December, Telus put forward a final offer that was rejected by members.
In a blog post Monday, the union announced it was rallying…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – British Columbia’s minister of transportation and infrastructure (MOTI) has filed an application to the CRTC asking it to suspend a November decision that forces it to enter agreements with third party carriers wanting to attach equipment on poles that are being moved by the province.
The November decision was triggered by a Rogers and Shaw application, which asked that they be treated similarly to the incumbent Telus when it comes to compensation to relocate their transmission lines when the province decides to move their poles. In the decision, the CRTC said the province…
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Editor’s note: This story has been updated on March 2 with a comment from Quebecor.
By Ahmad Hathout
TORONTO – Bell is temporarily pausing its next generation 9-1-1 network until further notice, according to a Friday email from a Bell technician seen by Cartt.
“Bell Canada is advising all Originating Network Providers of a temporary embargo for NG9-1-1 Onboarding and Go-Live activities,” said Richard Little, a technical network specialist for Bell’s emergency services division said in the email to representatives of the providers. “The embargo will continue until further notice.
“ONPs will be notified once our planned resumption of activities is known,” Little…
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