Regional carriers say no conflict with ISED’s spectrum licensing rules
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC’s decision last spring to mandate seamless roaming between networks should be struck down because the technical configurations of such a requirement falls exclusively in the domain of the Radiocommunications Act administered by Innovation Canada (ISED), the large telecoms argued today.
The regulator’s April 2021 decision, which broadly mandated wholesale access by regional players to the large wireless networks, also included the requirement that the host network ensure that calls are not dropped when the user on one network is switched to another when roaming. It…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Canada’s largest telecoms argued before the Federal Court of Appeal today that the CRTC was wrong when it ruled in its mobile wireless review last year that it did not have jurisdiction to address issues related to wireless access to municipal infrastructure.
The case stems from an August 2021 appeal by Telus against parts of the CRTC’s wireless review decision, which approved mandatory wholesale access to the large networks by regional service providers with facilities and spectrum.
But in the CRTC’s April 2021 decision, it also refused to wade into the issue of wireless…
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Regulator leaves open possible regulation on credit card fees more broadly in the future
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC said today that it will not allow Telus to charge credit card fees to customers in areas where its services are regulated, arguing that it would negatively impact service affordability for Canadians and said such fees could be examined more broadly under a new proposed policy direction from Innovation Canada.
In August, Telus asked the CRTC if it could charge a 1.5% fee to customers paying by credit card in areas of British Columbia and Alberta where services…
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Report recommends a national digital infrastructure strategy
VANCOUVER — 5G and 5G-enabled technologies could deliver an estimated 16%, or $120 billion, of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by 2036, but Canada lags behind other leading countries in the rollout of 5G, according to a new report from Vancouver-based management consulting company Deetken Insight.
“Despite its market-leading performance in 4G and the transformational benefits of 5G, Canada is lagging its peers in the deployment of 5G. Compared to the U.S., Germany, Japan, Italy, Australia, and South Korea, Canada’s 5G spectrum allocations for mid- and high-band frequencies are…
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Consultation issues have been prevalent over the years
By Ahmad Hathout
SALT SPRING ISLAND, B.C. – Innovation Canada rejected a challenge earlier this year to a tower build by Rogers Communications in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, after residents complained about the structure and the local land trust committee initially rescinded approval for it. The latest challenge has again put the spotlight on challenges to telecom builds.
On May 31, 2021, Rogers completed a public consultation process for the proposed tower build on the island, with approval from the Salt Spring Island Land Trust Committee (SSLTC) in August of that year. But…
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Adds Competition Act is outdated
By Ahmad Hathout
TORONTO – Investment company Globalive Capital said yesterday that its offer to purchase Freedom Mobile from a combined Rogers-Shaw entity is still open, as it blasted the prospect of Quebecor’s Videotron acquiring Shaw’s wireless company at a discount.
“Globalive’s bid to purchase Freedom Mobile at a $900 million premium over Videotron remains open, and is a reminder that Canada has choices,” said the statement, which came on the day that the Competition Tribunal wrapped up its hearing on the evidence in Rogers’s pursuit of buying Shaw Communications. Globalive sent a letter to Innovation Canada, the competition commissioner, and…
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Wireless issues top the list with largest share of complaints
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – A watchdog that fields telecommunications complaints said in a report released today that Canadian complaints about their services have dropped 25% compared to the same period last year, with wireless taking the top spot for issues and with some trending issues that one advocate said are “disturbing.”
All telecommunications services recorded by the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-Television Services reported declines in complaints for the 2021-2022 year compared to the previous 2020-2021 period. The CCTS said it resolved 88% of complaints, often within 30 days.
Wireless topped issues…
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By Brad Danks, CEO of OUTtv Media Global Inc. (OMG) (pictured above); Monika Ille, CEO APTN; and Luc Perreault, strategic advisor of Stingray Group
The Senate Transport Committee is starting its clause-by-clause review of Bill C-11, an Act to amend the Broadcasting Act. Hours of Committee time have been spent on the scope of the Bill and how it would apply to digital first creators and social media platforms. This is understandable and appropriate.
Far less time has been spent on a weakness in the Bill that will have a much more profound impact on the Canadian broadcasting system and the content Canadians can access….
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By Ahmad Hathout
VANCOUVER — Telus Corp. has filed a trademark this month for a program intended to aid newcomers in obtaining services including telecommunications, healthcare and job opportunities, according to a filing on November 3.
The trademark is for the name “Brightstart,” a program that supposedly includes as its services “providing information to newcomers relating to telecommunications and services” and “educational services namely providing resources to newcomers relating to job and career opportunities and resume preparation services.”
According to the filing, a pre-assessment letter was sent to Telus informing it that the goods or services were not acceptable….
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It’s the first residual auction in four years
OTTAWA – Canada’s largest telecoms have applied to be in a sealed-bid auction held by Innovation Canada for left-over spectrum licenses.
Innovation Canada posted on its website Friday the applicants for the residual spectrum in the 600 MHz, 2500 MHz, and 3500 MHz bands, mid-band spectrum that was auctioned in the summer of last year and is used for 5G services. The slices of spectrum went unsold in previous auctions or were returned to the department.
The auction will be in a sealed bid format, meaning telecoms will submit their bids…
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