TORONTO – IPTV provider VMedia Inc. has received CRTC approval for four regional broadcasting licences, allowing it to offer television services on a national basis.
The Commission said Friday that 2251723 Ontario, wholly owned by VMedia Inc., may operate terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings to serve various locations in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia; Quebec; Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan; and British Columbia. The Toronto-based company was previously only able to market its television service in Ontario. It also offers high-speed internet and home phone services.
"We are very grateful to the Commission for its decisions," said CEO Alexei Tchernobrivets, in a news release. "These licences now position us to be the first independent ISP and BDU serving customers across Canada."
"Our industry leadership and new approaches to content distribution drew a lot of attention to our applications, and in the course of the process the CRTC addressed some pretty important issues," added company advisor George Burger. "We feel this is a mini-policy decision that provides a roadmap for how independent ISPs can conduct themselves as licenced broadcasting distribution undertakings."
VMedia's new licences will expire on August 31, 2021.
