STB data measurement complex task, group says

Activity by a working group tasked with studying the implementation of an audience measurement system via set-top boxes is slow, but steady, TV providers told the CRTC, with user privacy coming to bear as a top concern for those involved. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …

Eastlink expanding gigabit Internet service

Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink is making 1 GB Internet speeds more widely available and will target the consumer market. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The …

‘Alternative video’ services more satisfying than pay TV: study

Non-traditional TV subscribers, such as those who use over-the-top (OTT) services, are more satisfied than those with traditional pay-TV subscriptions, a new J.D. Power survey suggested. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take …

Eastlink wireless service launches in St. John’s

Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink has added wireless service to Newfoundland and Labrador, with the plans now available in the greater St. John’s area. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial …

CRTC to review pick-and-pay rollout in Oct.

The CRTC will hold a hearing on a number of broadcast distribution undertakings’ [BDUs] licence renewal applications starting on Oct. 16, which will include looking at how those providers put their pick-and-pay rules in place. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …

Carriers made $37.7M from phone unlocking last year: CRTC

The CRTC has released aggregate data that shows wireless service providers earned $37.7 million in revenue by unlocking phones last year.

That’s up from $28.5 million in 2015 and $21.6 million in 2014, the commission said in a March 1 letter issued as part of its review of the Wireless Code.

The number of devices they unlocked also grew to 943,363 in 2016 from 922,931 the previous year and 734,595 in 2014.

Eastlink asks for review and vary, stay of interim wholesale rates

Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink is asking the CRTC to delay the imposition of lower wholesale high-speed access rates it put in place last year pending the outcome of a review-and-vary application Eastlink filed with the regulator.

Pick-and-pay won’t tempt consumers to switch or subscribe: RBC

The pick-and-pay options launched by Canada’s TV providers last week aren’t likely to appeal to either current subscribers or those without traditional TV service, according RBC Capital Markets’ Drew McReynolds.

Iristel files complaint over Eastlink’s competition refusal

Iristel Inc. has filed a complaint with the CRTC over what it says is a “refusal” of Bragg Communication Inc.’s Eastlink to “implement local competition” in an eastern Ontario community.

CRTC should be flexible with zero-rating: Rogers

GATINEAU, Que. — While Rogers Communications Inc. said it generally does not support differential pricing practices (DPP), it suggested Wednesday that the regulator should stay flexible in its approach given potential developments in Internet of Things (IoT) technology.

Eastlink launches TV Everywhere app

Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink unveiled its new TV Everywhere offering Thursday, Eastlink Stream, offering a one-stop-shop for television subscribers to access content from multiple networks and over-the-top (OTT) services through one application.

Developed with Cisco Systems Inc.’s Infinite Video platform, the free app is now available for Eastlink’s TV customers in all of its service areas. 

Eastlink expanding rural N.S. broadband access

Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink is investing $6.5 million to expand high-speed Internet services to rural Nova Scotia, the company announced Thursday.

“We appreciate that when it comes to Internet in rural Nova Scotia, there have and continue to be challenges,” Eastlink CEO Lee Bragg said in a press release.

Rogers’ OMNI application a ‘band-aid’ solution, critics say

Rogers Communications Inc.’s proposal for a new national ethnic programming service is neither innovative nor appropriate in today’s TV environment aimed at providing consumers more choice, critics of the application said in interventions filed with the CRTC.

CRTC allowing off-tariff GSM agreements, for now

The CRTC has determined that a hands-off approach to regulating roaming rates on GSM networks until it approves a final set of guidelines would not put smaller carriers in a negotiating disadvantage with larger ones.

The regulator drew that conclusion in a decision on Friday, stating that negotiations on GSM roaming pricing are optional and if a smaller carrier does not agree with the terms, “ it can use a Commission-approved default tariff that contains rates, terms, and conditions that are just and reasonable.”

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.

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.

Eastlink expands wireless service to northern Ontario

Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink announced Thursday that it is launching wireless service in Timmins, Ont., on June 1.

“Customers stuck in a contract can make the switch right away as Eastlink will buy out their existing cellphone contract,” the company said in a press release.

CRTC says incumbents can’t change terms in interim roaming rates

The CRTC has told Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc., and Telus Corp. that the terms and conditions in interim tariffs the incumbents filed following the CRTC’s move in May to regulate some roaming rates must be consistent with the agreements in place at the time the decision was made.

Competition Bureau seeks info on iPhone pricing from carriers

The Competition Bureau has filed applications in Federal Court seeking information from wireless carriers about how they set prices for Apple Inc.’s devices.

Eastlink to fully subsidize iPhone 6 series

Eastlink said Wednesday it will start offering the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus for no money down with two-year contracts to customers on Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island starting Friday.

The company said in a press release that the 16 GB version of Apple Inc.'s iPhone 6 will be free with voice-and-text-only packages starting at $25.63 a month on two-year contracts. The 16GB version of the iPhone 6 Plus will also be available for no money down with monthly fees starting at $30.21 on two-year contracts.

Eastlink launches wireless TV

Eastlink announced a wireless TV service Thursday that will allow customers to use the company’s Maestro DVRs wirelessly on up to six different TVs.

The company said in a news release the DVRs will record up to six programs at once to be watched from anywhere in the home as well as allowing customers to order their own list of channels and pause live TV.

Telus, Eastlink provide opposing perspectives on wholesale regulation

GATINEAU, Que. — The CRTC on Tuesday got opposing opinions on the need for wholesale wireless market regulation from two wireless carriers with very different perspectives.

Incumbent carrier Telus Corp. argued that too much regulation will deter a healthy climate for investment in Canada's wireless market, while regional carrier Eastlink said the current lack of regulation is stifling competition.

Eastlink no longer buying Bruce Telecom

Bragg Communications Inc., which operates Eastlink, won’t be buying Bruce Telecom, the Competition Bureau said Friday.

The bureau said in a press release that it reviewed the proposed acquisition and concluded that had it “proceeded as proposed, it would have likely resulted in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in the towns of Port Elgin and Paisley, [Ont.], where the two firms are the only providers of wireline telecommunications services.”

Savings, simplification cited in BCE takeover of Bell Aliant

Saving money, simplifying operations and creating a stronger telecom competitor in Atlantic Canada were among the reasons cited for why BCE Inc. is seeking ownership of all parts of Bell Aliant Inc. it does not already own.

Bragg to further build network over summer, plans more aggressive marketing

MONTREAL—Bragg Communications Inc. plans to continue strengthening its mobile wireless network in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island this summer as it prepares for more aggressive marketing of the service, company chief executive Lee Bragg said.

Eastlink to launch wireless service Friday

Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink subsidiary will launch its wireless network on Friday, Natalie MacDonald, vice-president of regulatory affairs at the company, said Tuesday.

“We are excited to launch our service in the next couple of days,” MacDonald said during an appearance at the CRTC’s hearing to establish a national code of conduct for the wireless industry. She later said the service will launch Friday.

Eastlink launches TV-everywhere, puts up 150 cell sites

Bragg Communications Inc. provider Eastlink launched a new mobile-ready, multi-device video service called Eastlink To Go.

In a conference call Tuesday, Lee Bragg, Bragg’s president and CEO, said Eastlink To Go "delivers movies, TV shows on-demand as well as live content across all devices with one consistent user experience."

Bell Aliant, Bragg, potential suitors among 13 parties interested in Ontera: analysts

BCE Inc.'s Bell Aliant, Bragg Communications Inc., MTS Allstream Inc. and smaller “niche” service providers are potential suitors to purchase Ontera, the government of Ontario’s northern telecom division, industry analysts say.

In March, the Ontario government announced a process to sell off the individual business lines of its northern Crown corporation, the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC), including Ontera, a northern Ontario telecom subsidiary.