OTTAWA – The CRTC yesterday initiated a show cause proceeding and call for comments on the use of the term “manufacturer’s suggested retail price” (MSRP) in the Wireless Code.
The CRTC is examining the term after Quebecor submitted a letter to the Commission last March, which claimed it had observed Bell, Rogers (RCCI) and Telus “appear to be inflating the retail price of their mobile devices,” the CRTC’s notice of consultation says.
The retail price of mobile devices is relevant to the fees consumers are on the hook for if they terminate their wireless contracts early.
Termination costs are limited “to the…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – Canadian consumer complaints made to the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS) are down 26%, according to CCTS’s mid-year report, which covers the timeframe between Aug. 1, 2021, and Jan. 31, 2022.
During this period there were 6,682 complaints accepted and 6,655 complaints concluded, according to the report. Of the complaints concluded, 797 were closed, 5,857 were resolved and 1 recommendation was accepted.
“We continue to observe problems with service providers failing to disclose important information to their customers when signing up for a new phone, internet or TV service,” said CCTS Commissioner and CEO, Howard Maker, in…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The Government of Canada announced today is supporting affordable high-speed Internet in Canada through a second phase of the Connecting Families initiative.
“In partnership with 14 participating ISPs across the country that are voluntarily contributing to the initiative by offering $20 a month high-speed Internet services, the Government of Canada will help connect hundreds of thousands of low-income families and seniors to affordable high-speed Internet,” a press release explains.
The second phase of Connecting Families, which was originally announced last August, is introducing faster speeds, in line with the government’s connectivity strategy, which aims to ensure all Canadians…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Telus announced today it has partnered with the Vector Institute to launch the Energy Optimization System (EOS), which is designed to help reduce operational costs and electricity consumption in data centres across Canada using AI technology.
“This collaborative development uses model-based reinforcement learning (MBRL) to fine tune the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems across network locations, allowing for energy-efficient temperature control,” a press release explains.
“Annually, an estimated 40 per cent of energy consumed across Telus network locations is directed towards cooling telecommunications equipment, which is critical to maintaining optimal network performance,” according to the release.
“Telus team…
Continue Reading
COQUITLAM, B.C. and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (KWIKWETLEM) – Telus Communications announced yesterday it is investing $110 million to bring its fibre optic network to homes and businesses in Coquitlam and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation.
The company’s advanced, PureFibre X network provides Internet speeds of 2.5 Gbps, a press release explains.
A direct connection to the pure fibre-to-the-home network does not cost taxpayers or residents anything, according to the release. Work has already begun in Coquitlam and Telus anticipates most homes and businesses will be connected by the end of next year.
“Telus is proud to be making this generational investment in Coquitlam and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First…
Continue Reading
SEVERAL CANADIAN TELECOMS have decided to continue waiving fees for Canadians connecting to loved ones in Ukraine.
As Cartt.ca reported last month, many Canadian telecoms chose to waive fees for calls and texts from Canada to Ukraine, with several stating they intended to do so until the end of this month. Most, however, have now extended this deadline.
SaskTel announced last Friday it will continue to waive long-distance charges for wireless, landline and business calls from Canada to Ukraine, international text messages from Canada to Ukraine and roaming charges for calls, texts and data overages for customers currently in…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA and GATINEAU — The CRTC announced today seven projects in British Columbia and Alberta will receive up to $19.5 million in funding from its Broadband Fund.
In total, the projects will benefit approximately 1,255 households in 10 communities, including seven Indigenous communities, across the two provinces, according to the CRTC’s press release.
A backgrounder for the announcement says the CRTC’s Broadband Fund will allocate the money to four service providers in the following way:
ATG Arrow Technology Group Limited Partnership (Arrow) will receive up to $4 million to build or improve fixed broadband Internet access services for…
Continue Reading
TORONTO — Telus Health announced today it has acquired Sprout Wellness Solutions, a Toronto-based health technology company that provides a holistic digital health and wellness solution “designed to educate, engage and inspire people to improve their health through behaviour change,” according to a press release.
Sprout’s digital wellness solution will be available as part of the Telus Health suite of services for Canadian employers “to empower their employees, through their benefits plan, to live healthier lives,” the release says.
“We know preventative health practices can play a major role in reducing one’s chances of developing several chronic diseases, and…
Continue Reading
When they manage contractual relations
By Denis Carmel
MONTREAL – Last Thursday, March 24, the Supreme Court of Canada determined it would not hear the case of the Government of Québec ordering Internet service providers (ISPs) to block some gambling sites, therefore confirming a Court of Appeal of Québec (CAQ) ruling, that in this case, telecommunications falls within federal jurisdiction, as it interfered with the ISPs’ operations.
By coincidence, the same day the same CAQ confirmed, in part, a ruling from the Superior Court stating that articles of the Québec Consumer Protection Act (CPA) could be used to govern…
Continue Reading
MARKHAM, Ont. — CN Media Services, a division of Markham, Ont.-based Capital Networks Limited, announced last week it is now the exclusive “local avails” sales agent for Videotron.
“The term ‘Local Avails’ refers to the approximately two minutes of television commercial time per hour set aside in the programming of certain U.S. cable/satellite channels including CNN, CNBC, AMC, HLN, NFL Network and more,” explains a press release.
The agreement with Videotron means CN Media Services can now provide its advertising clients the opportunity to target almost 500,000 Canadian households in the province of Quebec.
CN Media Services already has exclusive sales…
Continue Reading
