Spending on wireless services up 14% last year: CRTC

Canadians spent 14.1 per cent more on wireless services in 2014 than they did in 2013, while last year also marked the first time there were more Canadian households that relied exclusively on mobile phone service than households that subscribed only to landlines, according to the CRTC.

The commission said in its Communications Monitoring Report, parts of which it released Thursday, that 20.4 per cent of Canadian households subscribed to wireless services only, compared to the 14.4 per cent of homes with landlines and no mobile service.

Liberals to be ‘less aggressive’ on 4th-player policy: analyst

Canaccord Genuity analysts Aravinda Galappatthige and Sanford Lee said Tuesday that they expect a Liberal majority government, as elected Monday, to take a “softer pro-wireless new entrant stance.”

They said in a research note that the previous Conservative government had “consistently pursued the idea of a fourth national wireless player” through policies such as spectrum caps and set-asides in spectrum auctions, expecting that more competition would lower prices for consumers.

CRTC to review policy on independent production funds

The CRTC said Tuesday it will consult on its policies regarding certified independent production funds.

It said the primary objective of the consultation would be “that these funds contribute to the development of a robust Canadian production sector that is better able to offer compelling, high-quality content to Canadians and global markets.”

Deadline extended for review of local, community TV

The CRTC said Tuesday it is extending the deadline for interventions in its review of the policy framework for local and community television programming.

The new deadline is Nov. 5.

RNC seeks relief for radio station on Cancon contribution

RNC Media Inc. is asking the CRTC to relieve it of a licence condition for its radio station CHLX-FM in Gatineau, Que., that requires it to pay $8,000 a year toward the development of Canadian content, beyond the basic contribution requirements set out in national radio regulations.

Ethics commissioner looking into MP’s letters to CRTC

The Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner of Canada is investigating two letters Conservative MP Parm Gill sent the CRTC while serving as a parliamentary secretary.

Danielle May-Cuconato new CRTC secretary general

Danielle May-Cuconato will become secretary general of the CRTC on Nov. 16.

John Traversy retiring from CRTC

CRTC secretary general John Traversy will retire on Dec. 11 after 27 years with the commission, he said in an email to staff Tuesday.

“Over the years, I had the opportunity to work on countless files in both the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors. We are fortunate that Canadians can often see the tangible results of our work, and it has been a privilege to dedicate so many years to serving their interests,” Traversy wrote.

Pick-and-pay TV prices could reduce cord cutting, say experts

Prices for TV subscriptions in the coming pick-and-pay era will be one of the main factors determining how over-the-top (OTT) video services are affected, say experts, noting that competitive pricing in TV packages might curb the cord-cutting trend. 

Bell seeks exemption from emergency alert requirements

BCE Inc. is asking the CRTC to amend its condition of licence that requires it to distribute emergency alerts to satellite-TV customers who still have a set-top box that isn’t capable of receiving the alerts.

MTS seeks another extension on Classic TV alert compliance

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. is asking the CRTC to grant its Classic TV customers another exemption from the regulator’s emergency alert rules, which would be in place until MTS is able to migrate all customers to set-top boxes capable of receiving such alerts.

Bell’s Super Bowl appeal ‘premature’: AG

The Office of the Attorney General, participating on behalf of the CRTC in BCE Inc.’s appeal of the commission’s decision to eliminate simultaneous substitution for the Super Bowl, has asked the Federal Court of Appeal to dismiss the case, with costs.

CRTC merges complaints against Videotron music service

The CRTC has merged two complaints against a service by Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron that exempts some music streaming services from counting against mobile customers’ data caps.

CRTC requests additional information for CCTS review

The CRTC has asked parties involved in the review of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) to provide additional information.

TV wholesale code finalized, takes effect in January

The CRTC on Thursday released a final version of its anticipated wholesale code governing the business relationships between TV-service providers and channel operators, which, among other things, bans provisions that would prevent a particular channel from being offered on a stand-alone basis or as part of a package that customers can create themselves.

The rules, which take effect on Jan. 22, will also ban so-called penetration-based rate cards (PBRCs) that require service providers to compensate channel operators when certain thresholds for advertising revenue are not met.

CRTC releases final rules for national news channels

The CRTC on Wednesday released its finalized conditions for national news channels that will be applied to all future licences for such services.

CRTC asks Shaw to justify genre change for BC News 1

The CRTC has asked Shaw Communications Inc. to provide justification for why it should officially be relieved of requirements that its BC News 1 channel provide regional news.

Shaw recently filed applications requesting that the "nature of service definition" of several specialty channels be changed to allow for more flexibility.

CRTC merges CNOC application with Internet tariff review

The CRTC will consider a Part 1 application filed by the Canadian Networks Operators Consortium (CNOC) regarding usage-sensitive rates as part of a wider review of Internet tariff rates.

NHL Network broadcasting licence revoked

The CRTC on Thursday granted BCE Inc.'s request that the regulator revoke the broadcasting licence for the NHL Network.

BCE's Bell Media division had licensed the rights to the NHL Network in Canada, which operated as a Category B specialty channel. A letter from Bell to the CRTC, dated Aug. 21, said the channel was slated to cease operations on Aug. 31.

CRTC to review local, community-TV regulations

The CRTC is asking whether maintaining a physical presence in an area is necessary to produce local programming and whether community-access TV is still relevant as part a proceeding on local and community television it announced Monday.

The regulator said it will review its policies on local and community-TV programming, and hold a public hearing on the matter early in the new year.

Production sector must understand telecom: new CMPA boss

As the telecommunications and media industries continue to converge, the production sector must pay more attention to what were traditionally considered telecom issues, according to Reynolds Mastin, the new CEO of the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA).

Shaw says national news-channel plans on hold

Shaw Communications Inc. has put on hold plans to establish a national news channel in the wake of changes in the television regulatory environment over the last year, a company official said Thursday.

Shaw asks for exemption from public alert system

Shaw Communications Inc. has filed an application asking the CRTC to exempt it from the requirement, as a condition of licence, that all its satellite-TV customers be able to receive messages from the National Public Alerting System (NPAS).

In an application that appeared on the CRTC's website Wednesday, Shaw said it has about 181,000 Shaw Direct customers that still have receivers that are not capable of receiving NPAS alerts. It asked that the exception remain in place until it can replace all these older receivers.

Where federal parties stand on telecom, media issues

Telecommunications and media have not been prominent issues in this year's federal election campaign, taking a backseat to things such as the Mike Duffy trial, the deficit and Syrian refugees.

The Wire Report has made repeated attempts to talk with the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP about their stances toward telecom and media, but has been largely ignored.

However, here is a look at statements, documents and publicly disclosed initiatives of the three major parties that are indicative of the positions they hold on telecom and media, or have at least held recently.

Location tracking needs more oversight: PIAC

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) said in a new report that the CRTC and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner should do more research on the practice of tracking the location of individuals through their mobile devices.

The report, released publicly Tuesday, concluded that “it is not clear if Canada’s privacy regime is sufficiently responsive to Canadians’ concerns with location-based informational privacy.”

Data costs limit mobile-video consumption: Ericsson

A new report from Ericsson AB shows that while people are increasingly consuming video on mobile devices, the cost of data limits many from taking advantage of what the technology makes possible.

The report released Thursday from Ericsson's ConsumerLab division — based on research involving more than 22,500 people in 20 countries including Canada and the United States — said there has been a 71 per cent increase in the number of people viewing video on smartphones since 2011.

Blue Ant seeks CanCon quota reduction

Blue Ant Media Inc. has asked the CRTC to require less Canadian content on its Cottage Life specialty channel for the remainder of its contract that expires in three years.

Blue Ant said in its application, which appeared on the CRTC's website Monday, that its licence mandates Cottage Life to have at least 80 per cent Canadian content during a broadcast day, and at least 50 per cent in the evening. It asked that the daily requirement be reduced to 50 per cent, with no change asked for in the evening quota.

Net-neutrality advocates cry foul over Videotron music service

MONTREAL — Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron is giving itself an undue preference with a new service that allows its mobile customers to listen to music streaming without it counting against their data caps, net neutrality advocates say.

Corus channels permitted to end CBC affiliation

Two Corus Entertainment Inc. television stations in Ontario have been permitted by the CRTC to disaffiliate themselves from CBC/Radio-Canada and instead operate with programming provided by BCE Inc.'s CTV network, starting Aug. 31.

TV station revenues, profits down in 2014: StatsCan

Canadian television stations saw a decline in revenues and an even sharper drop in profits last year, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.

The federal agency said in online news release that revenue declined 0.7 per cent to $7.57 billion in 2014. Profits before interest and taxes were down 22 per cent to $836.8 million, it said.

Statistics Canada said this sector's operating expenses increased 3.2 per cent last year to a total of $6.7 billion. Most of that — $4.8 billion — was spent on programming, which was up 5.3 per cent from the year before.

CRTC approves 2 radio acquisitions

The CRTC on Wednesday approved two separate applications for radio station acquisitions from Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Ltd. in Grand Prairie, Alta., and Media ClassiQ Inc. in Montreal and Quebec City.

Experts question feasibility of low-orbit satellites for Internet

Some of the world’s most well-known investors, including Richard Branson and Elon Musk, are betting that new projects that involve putting thousands of satellites into low orbit will bring the Internet to millions of people who don’t have access.

While some have indicated these initiatives has could improve access in remote and rural parts in Canada, some experts are skeptical about their chances of success.

Quebec radio station must play jazz

A Gatineau, Que., radio station on Tuesday was granted a seven-year licence renewal but was not relieved of the requirement that jazz and blues make up least 20 per cent of its musical programming.

Radio licences renewed, musical amendments denied

Two Alberta radio stations were granted licence renewals by the CRTC Friday, though both were denied requested changes to the makeup of the music they play.

Harvard Broadcasting Inc.'s CKEA-FM in Edmonton was granted a licence renewal until 2022. However, it was denied a requested amendment that it no longer be required to select 15 per cent of its music from the category known as "special interest music," and that 20 per cent of its blues and jazz selection no longer have to be Canadian.

Ontera approved for higher subsidies

The CRTC said Thursday it is has approved an application from BCE Inc.-owned Ontera to receive higher subsidies for serving high-cost areas, due to a change in its tax status.

As OTA leaves 600 MHz, stations set for ‘difficult transition’: expert

Industry Canada will repurpose the 600 MHz spectrum band for mobile use and collaborate with the United States on the move, which means at least some over-the-air (OTA) television stations will have to find new frequencies if they want to continue broadcasting.

One question is how many of those stations will actually make the switch, Gregory Taylor, an assistant professor of mass communications at the University of Calgary, said in a phone interview.

Canadian OTT startup looks to take on the world

An emerging Canadian provider of over-the-top (OTT) video content hopes that reaching viewers around the world, and particularly those with very specific interests, translates into keys to success in the fast-changing television market.

Shaw to stop offering old wholesale plans to new customers

The CRTC said Shaw Communications Inc. can stop offering four of its Internet plans to new wholesale customers.

The decision, issued Monday, affects Shaw’s High Speed 10, Extreme Speed, Broadband 50, and Broadband 100 plans, which Shaw has already stopped offering its retail customers.

CRTC renews licence for Stingray’s music channels

The CRTC renewed the licence for Stingray Digital Group Inc.’s music TV channels, though it imposed a shorter licence term, citing Stingray’s past non-compliance with its licence conditions.

CRTC clarifies rules for suspension of wireless service

The CRTC on Friday clarified procedures carriers must follow when suspending the accounts of wireless customers in terms of the warnings that must be given.

More small BDUs sanctioned with CRTC denial

The CRTC has given two more companies permission to provide television services to small audiences, even though it has technically denied their applications for licences.

Uniserve confirms plans for IPTV service

Uniserve Communications Corp. on Wednesday made note of a decision from the CRTC last month that set the stage for it and Atop Broadband Corp. to provide television-distribution services in British Columbia under a new exemption order for companies with less than 20,000 subscribers.

OUTtv accuses Bell of undue preference

OUTtv Network Inc. has accused BCE Inc. of an undue preference toward its company in a complaint that appeared on the CRTC's website Wednesday.

Cord-cutting accelerated in first half of 2015: report

A report from Boon Dog Professional Services Inc. released Wednesday said Canada's publicly traded TV-service providers lost six times as many subscribers in the first half of 2015 than in the same period a year earlier.

NFL granted status in Bell simsub case

The Federal Court of Appeal has approved the National Football League as an intervener in the appeal BCE Inc. has made against the CRTC's decision to ban simultaneous substitution during the Super Bowl, starting in 2017.

An entry that appeared on court's website Monday indicated that the NFL would be permitted to submit evidence in this case.

CRTC denies 2 radio transmitter applications for Vancouver

The CRTC on Friday denied two separate applications requesting to add FM rebroadcasting transmitters in Vancouver for better radio transmission quality from Four Senses Entertainment Inc. and Corus Entertainment Inc.

CRTC’s hybrid-VOD category takes effect

The CRTC on Thursday released final rules for a new category of video-on-demand (VOD) services in which operators can avoid regular broadcast regulations, even if the service is offered through a broadcast-distribution subscription, on the condition that it is also available online to all Canadians.

Harper comes out against ‘Netflix tax’ in video

Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Wednesday posted a video of himself on Twitter standing in front of a screen with a Netflix logo and criticizing calls for taxes on video-streaming services.

In the video, Harper said he is a fan of movies and TV shows, particularly Breaking Bad, which he notes is “even available on some online streaming services, if you’ve never seen it.”

Bell denied application to stop Fibernetics payments

BCE Inc. has been denied an application for relief on making "traffic imbalance payments" to Fibernetics Corp., a smaller provider of home-phone services.

CNOC protests wholesale-wireless ruling

The Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) has filed an application that seeks to alter aspects of the CRTC's ruling this year on the wholesale-wireless market, specifically the lack of new regulations regarding mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and tower sharing.

Big carriers defend interim tariff terms

Rogers Communications Inc., Telus Corp. and BCE Inc. took issue with a complaint by small wireless carriers that their interim tariffs include “onerous” terms and conditions, arguing the Telecommunications Act requires tariffs to include detailed terms.  

Ethnic broadcaster asks CRTC to amend CanCon rules

Ethnic Channels Group Ltd. (ECGL) launched a Part 1 application Tuesday to amend the CRTC's new rules regarding Canadian content requirements for broadcasters with fewer than 200,000 subscribers. 

NFL shouldn’t intervene in Super Bowl case: attorney general

The National Football League shouldn’t be granted leave to intervene in BCE Inc.’s challenge of the CRTC’s decision to eliminate simultaneous substitution during the Super Bowl, the attorney general said.

Shomi marketed directly to 7 BDUs, Rogers and Shaw say

Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. told the CRTC that their streaming service, Shomi, became available to other telecoms the day it launched, and that the company reached out to seven major broadcast distributors in the months prior to the launch.

CRTC awards costs in wholesale wireline review

The CRTC has awarded costs to l’Union des consommateurs, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC), and Internet activist group OpenMedia for their participation in its recent wholesale wireline proceeding, the regulator said Tuesday in three separate notices.

It awarded the amount of $6,030 to l’Union des consommateurs, with BCE Inc. paying 31.4 per cent, Rogers Communications Inc. 33.1 per cent, and Telus Corp. 35.5 per cent.

CRTC denies bulk of Shaw’s request to reconsider wholesale rates

The CRTC has allowed Shaw Communications Inc. to raise the wholesale prices of one of its services, but denied most of the company’s application to reconsider the wholesale rates previously set by the regulator.

CRTC extends deadline in French-language music review

The CRTC has extended the deadline in its review of the rules for French-language vocal music on the radio from Sept. 3 to Sept. 14.

Northwestel to dismantle last of radio-phone service

Northwestel Inc. has been given permission to dismantle its "manual mobile service" sites in the last six locations where it still offers the service, effective October 31.

CRTC postpones deadlines for CCTS review

The CRTC has pushed back the deadline for interventions in its review of the structure and mandate of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS).

The deadline for interventions has been moved from Aug. 4 to August 25.

CRTC approves Africa Channel for distribution

The CRTC has approved the distribution of the U.S-based Africa Channel in Canada.

New CRTC wholesale rules won’t change telco FTTH strategies: analysts

A day after the CRTC said it would mandate wholesale access to fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks by small ISPs, financial analysts said the move likely won’t have a significant impact on investments in FTTH networks by large telecoms.

Rogers Q2 revenues up

Rogers Communications Inc. said in its quarterly results that its revenues grew six per cent over the past year, from $3.2 billion to $3.4 billion.

CRTC calls for comments on simsub regulations

The CRTC is calling for comments regarding simultaneous substitution regulations.

‘Good day’ for small ISPs as CRTC mandates FTTH access

GATINEAU, Que. — Small ISPs and advocacy groups praised a move by the CRTC Wednesday mandating wholesale access to fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks and allowing small Internet service providers (ISPs) to build their own “middle mile” connections.

“We think it’s great,” Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) president Bill Sandiford said in an interview following the release of the CRTC’s decision on its wholesale wireline review.

CBC should ‘explore alternative funding models’: Senate committee

The Senate's transport and communications standing committee is recommending that CBC/Radio-Canada “explore alternative funding models and additional ways to generate revenue to minimize the Corporation’s dependence on government appropriations.”

CRTC to review rules for French-language music content

The CRTC announced Monday it plans to review rules for French-language vocal music on the radio.

It said in a release that it would re-examine the current framework in order “to ensure that it takes into account the current and future environment” of music.

The aim of the review will be to make sure that French-language vocal music is better discovered, promoted, created and consumed, especially in light of the ongoing movement toward listening to music on platforms other than the radio, the release noted.

NFL seeks to intervene in Super Bowl simsub appeal

The National Football League has filed for permission to be an intervener in BCE Inc.'s appeal against the CRTC's decision to start banning simultaneous substitution during the Super Bowl.

A motion filed by the NFL with the Federal Court of Appeal this week said it has a direct financial interest in this matter. The partially redacted filing said it entered an agreement in 2010 with Bell's CTV network to provide Super Bowl coverage in Canada, and that agreement was updated and extended in 2013.

Big telecoms urge market approach for CRTC in basic-service review

Canada’s largest Internet service providers told the CRTC it’s not necessary to implement a subsidy system for broadband Internet service, while advocacy groups argued that relying on market forces and government funding alone hasn’t worked to ensure all Canadians have satisfactory Internet access.

Videotron facing class action over MAtv

A community group is launching a class action lawsuit against the MAtv community channel owned by Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron.

Independent Community TeleVision (ICTV) said in a statement on its website Tuesday that it launched the class action because of Videotron’s “non-compliance” with the CRTC’s “regulations governing the operations of a Community Television license for over two decades.”

Bell’s CraveTV to go pure OTT

BCE Inc. will make its CraveTV streaming service available to all Canadians as of Jan 1., 2016, it said in a press release Monday, in what marks a change in strategy for the company.

Bell Media president Mary Ann Turcke said in the press release that as “our business model has continued to evolve the time is right to also offer CraveTV as a standalone product.”

CRTC wants details on Shomi availability to BDUs, ISPs

The CRTC is asking Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. for detailed information about how and when they made their streaming service available to other broadcast distributors and Internet service providers.

CRTC consulting on some Talk TV decisions

The CRTC has opened a consultation on a number of decisions it made as part of its Let's Talk TV review of television services ahead of making official changes to its broadcasting regulations to include them.

Shoan, government reach deal on confidentiality

CRTC commissioner Raj Shoan and the government, who are battling in court over a finding that he committed workplace harassment, have reached an agreement on keeping the identities of individuals involved in this case private.

A third-party investigation commissioned by the CRTC had found that Shoan harassed an employee at the commission. Shoan has been fighting this determination in Federal Court and calling for all the material the CRTC used against him, including an unredacted version of the investigator's report, to be made available to him.

French-language radio stations to combine sales

The CRTC said Wednesday that two separately owned French-language commercial radio stations in Gatineau, Que., will be allowed to combine their sales teams.

The stations involved are Cogeco Cable Inc.-owned CKOF-FM, which has a talk format, and RNC Media Inc.-owned CHLX-FM, also known at Rythme FM, which broadcasts adult-contemporary music and jazz.

Bell overcharging departing customers, says Quebecor

Quebecor Inc. has filed an application asking the CRTC to force BCE Inc. to stop charging customers after the date they cancel telecommunications services.

TV tangible-benefits spending up 27% last year: report

Companies spent $138.7 million on TV-related tangible benefits in Canada in the 12 months ended Aug. 31 last year, marking a 27 per cent increase from a year earlier, according to TV-industry research company Boon Dog Professional Services Ltd.

Ontario farmers want better Internet access, says group

Most Ontario farmers have issues with the quality of their Internet connections and more than 90 per cent feel the Internet is important to their livelihoods, according to a provincial farming advocate.

Brent Royce, a board member for the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, said in an article on the group's website, dated July 3, that the organization did a recent survey that found two out of three farmers have unreliable Internet connections.

Broadcaster challenges 2-year-old CRTC decision in court

ADR.TV said Friday that it has applied to Federal Court for a judicial review of the CRTC's decision in August 2013 not to grant it mandatory carriage on basic TV packages in Quebec past Aug. 31 of this year.

The channel said in a press release that it is a "public interest television network," providing police bulletins 24-hours-a-day on missing people and suspects at large.

Government files to censor details in Shoan case

The federal government has filed a notice of motion in Federal Court to keep certain details under wraps in the judicial review CRTC Commissioner Raj Shoan is seeking of a process that found he committed workplace harassment.

A notice filed by the Attorney General of Canada on Monday said a representative would appear in a Toronto courtroom next Tuesday to argue that certain evidence in this case not be made public.

CRTC postpones deadline for wholesale-Internet tariff process

The CRTC said Friday it has moved the deadline for comments in its review of wholesale high-speed Internet tariffs by two weeks.

Government repeals wireless roaming caps

The federal government has complied with a CRTC request by repealing caps imposed last year on how much wireless carriers can charge each other for domestic roaming.

A notice in the Canada Gazette said that subsections 239(2) and 240(2) of Economic Action Plan 2014 Act came into force Wednesday, the objective of which was to “repeal the legislated cap on domestic wholesale roaming rates in the Telecommunications Act, following the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) decision on wholesale roaming rates.”

CMF to go on cross-country consultation

The Canadian Media Fund (CMF) said Tuesday it will be going across the country for a consultation process this fall.

It said in a press release that the consultation process will include several components, including focus groups in 18 different cities across all provinces and territories, and industry working groups.

CRTC revises third-party phone billing practices

The CRTC on Tuesday issued several changes to standards around billing that takes place on behalf of third parties by incumbent landline phone service providers.

Phone companies are mandated to provide billing services primarily as a way to give other companies the chance to compete for long-distance services without making customers change their local phone-service providers.

CRTC calls for radio licence applications in Vancouver

The CRTC is asking for applications for radio stations in the Vancouver area, which it said in its “preliminary view” would “best be served by proposals targeting the ethnic communities,” though it noted that it would consider other types of applications.

CRTC approves 7 non-Canadian TV channels

The CRTC on Friday granted approval for seven non-Canadian television channels to be distributed in Canada, six of which were sponsored by BCE Inc.

Smaller wireless carriers cry foul on interim-tariff filings

Wind Mobile, Quebecor Inc. and Eastlink are asking the CRTC to require incumbent wireless carriers to re-file documents relating to interim tariffs and conditions for domestic roaming access.

CRTC revokes licences for 5 aboriginal radio stations

The CRTC said it was yanking the broadcast licences of five aboriginal radio stations, all operated by a company called Aboriginal Voices Radio Inc., for years of non-compliance with licence conditions and radio regulations.

The stations operate under the call sign CKAV in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa. The CRTC said in a press release that this broadcaster, which first attained licences in the early 2000s, "has not fulfilled its mandate to reflect the distinctive place of the aboriginal community in Canadian society."

Rogers-Mobilicity deal sign of ‘benign’ regulatory environment: analyst

Industry Canada’s approval of Rogers Communications Inc.’s bid to buy Mobilicity, as well a deal for Rogers to acquire spectrum from Shaw Communications Inc., signals an improvement in the regulatory environment for large wireless providers, analysts said Wednesday.