Telecoms bond over stirring proposals to shake up call spoofing

Technologies identified by the CRTC as potential tools to combat spoofed and nuisance calls have promise, but barriers to their deployment mean they’re not likely to be put in place any time soon, companies told the regulator.

Cogeco shifting data centre strategy due to Amazon, Microsoft: Audet

MONTREAL — Moves by Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft Corp. into the Canadian data centre business won’t compete directly with Cogeco Inc., which is changing its data centre strategy by focusing on a different type of client, CEO Louis Audet told reporters Thursday.

Companies launching pick-and-pay ahead of new rules

Rogers Communications Inc. and Cogeco Inc. have introduced their line-up of stand-alone TV channels a day ahead of the CRTC’s deadline requiring them to do so.

The cost for individual channels with Rogers mostly ranges from $4 to $7 for English-language specialty channels to $18 for sports and some international channels, according to its website.

Cogeco’s stand-alone channels are priced at between $3.50 and $6 for English specialty channels and up to about $12 to $15 for sports, its website specifies.

Cogeco launches gigabit service in Ontario markets

Cogeco Inc. is now offering gigabit Internet, starting with Oakville and Burlington, Ont., with the launch of its UltraFibre 1Gig service, it announced in a Wednesday press release.

It is the company’s first venture into residential gigabit service, a Cogeco spokeperson said in an email. 

U.S. operations boost Q4 for Cogeco

Cogeco Inc. saw a 3.2-per-cent increase in revenue to hit $572 million for the final quarter of fiscal 2016, the company reported Wednesday.

iHeartRadio launches in Canada

iHeartMedia Inc.'s free digital radio and music streaming service is now available in Canada, according to a press release from BCE Inc.’s media division.

The free app, iHeartRadio, is available on a preview basis ahead of its official launch on Oct. 10.

CRTC’s lowering of HSA rates means small ISPs ‘free to innovate’: CNOC

The CRTC has set revised interim wholesale rates for high-speed access (HSA) services, criticizing large Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for proposing “unreasonable” rates that were too high, in a move small ISPs say leaves them “free to innovate.”

Court says Cogeco can’t claim ‘best Internet’

An Ontario Superior Court judge has granted an injunction requested by BCE Inc. forbidding Cogeco Inc. from claiming that it has the “best Internet experience in your neighbourhood.”

In a Sept. 26 ruling, judge Wendy Matheson said Cogeco could no longer use the phrase, which it had used on its website. The injunction applies in Ontario.

Differing opinions on how to guide differential pricing, interventions show

Even among those who support differential pricing practices such as zero rating and sponsoring data, there isn’t a consensus as to how they should be regulated by CRTC, according to additional comments filed with the commission in its proceeding on the issue.

Supplemental interventions were published on the CRTC’s website on Thursday, ahead of the five-day public hearing, which begins Oct. 31 in Gatineau, Que. During the week-long hearing, the CRTC panel will hear from 31 groups, companies and individuals.

Data consumption, competitive pressures headline investor conference

Canada’s biggest telcos told investors Wednesday that they are seeing growth in wireless data usage on the first of a two-day conference hosted by CIBC World Markets.

Community TV complaints deferred: CACTUS

The Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) said Wednesday it’s unhappy with the CRTC’s decision to put off complaints about alleged broadcast distribution undertakings’ (BDUs) compliance issues until later this fall.

In a press release, the association said almost 60 complaints made by CACTUS and community partners in early 2016 won’t be considered until the licence renewal proceedings later this year.

Quebec City lawsuit against Cogeco dismissed

The Quebec Superior Court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against Cogeco Inc., determining the suit was abusive under section 51 of Quebec’s code of civil procedure.

CRTC ‘rebalances’ TV system funds; up to $90M available for local news

The CRTC has established new funding for local television news in a decision on its local and community TV hearing, though advocates expressed concern that the changes won’t happen quickly enough for some stations.

In a summary of the decision, issued Wednesday afternoon, the CRTC said independent stations will be able to tap into a $23.1-million Independent Local News Fund (ILNF), while new flexibility could make available up to $66.9 million for stations operated by vertically-integrated companies.

Cogeco Connexion brings FTTH to Laurentides

Cogeco Inc. announced it is making a $1.4-million investment in the Laurentides region of Quebec to expand its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network.

In a Monday press release, Cogeco Connexion said the expansion would affect the municipalities of Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard and Morin Heights, located about 90 minutes north of Montreal.

Tax all digital services or none, committee hears

OTTAWA — Witnesses in the latest round of hearings in the House of Commons’ Canadian Heritage committee’s study of the media and local communities asked parliamentarians to level the playing field when it comes to taxes on digital services.

Cogeco launches public WiFi in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls

Cogeco Inc. has launched a free public WiFi network with more than 360 hotspots in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls, Ont., the company said Wednesday.

Access to the network is free for Cogeco Connexion high-speed Internet customers and non-customers can log in as guests for a free trial, the company said in a press release.

Cogeco sued by former Quebec politician

Former Quebec deputy premier Nathalie Normandeau is suing Cogeco Inc.’s media division for wrongful dismissal, according to media reports.

Cogeco Connexion expanding FTTH network in Quebec

Cogeco Inc. said Friday it is investing about $250,000 to expand its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network to residents in Quebec’s Orford Township.

The expansion will serve “several homes in the residential area surrounding the 13e Rang road” in the Eastern Townships municipality, located about 90 minutes east of Montreal, the company said in a press release.

Cogeco Peer 1 names Scott Adams Canadian VP

Cogeco Peer 1, a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc., has named Scott Adams as its new Canadian vice-president and general manager.

In a Tuesday press release, Cogeco Peer 1 — which provides business products and services such as network connectivity, cloud services and colocation — said Adams will be “responsible for the tactical and strategic direction of the organization” in Canada and that he will be “overseeing operations and driving revenue growth.

Cogeco open to Shaw partnership: Audet

Cogeco Inc. CEO Louis Audet said his company would be “delighted” to partner with Shaw Communications Inc. on its newly acquired wireless business, Wind Mobile.

Cogeco launches business-specific TV bundles

Cogeco Inc. is now offering TV packages aimed at business customers.

In a Tuesday press release, the company said the new channel bundles were "specifically designed for small and medium-sized businesses and larger enterprises in Ontario and Quebec."

The packages feature 10 or 20 channels in Ontario and either 10, 15 or 20 channels in Quebec with offerings to fit specific industries, such as bars and restaurants, retail, hotels and others.

Stingray buys in-store audio company for $2M

Stingray Digital Group Inc. has bought Numedia, a company that provides technology used by retail stores to play in-store audio.

The company said in a press release Wednesday that the deal is worth $2 million.

According to Numedia’s website, its “technology allows its clients to manage and operate digital displays or in-store music through its proprietary software.”

Cogeco launches 400 new WiFi hotspots in Ontario

Cogeco Inc. announced Wednesday it has launched 400 WiFi hotspots across Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Georgetown, all located in the surrounding area of Toronto.  

It said in a press release that Cogeco has been working towards expanding its public WiFi network for the past year. The coverage will be available at different locations such as retail shops, restaurants and professional services offices, among others, it added.

City of Quebec sues Cogeco for defamation

The City of Quebec is suing Cogeco Inc., its CEO, Louis Audet, as well as Richard Renaud, director of Quebec’s CJMF FM-93 radio station, for defamation.

The municipality said in a French press release Wednesday that it’s seeking $1 million in compensation for defamatory comments that were allegedly made against the city during a radio show.

Cogeco expands FTTH network in Quebec