Broadcast
TAGGED AS EXCLUSIVE
UBF should focus on both backbone, last mile, ISPs told ISED
At a discussion about Ottawa’s now-delayed Universal Broadband Fund with stakeholders in January, the federal government heard it shouldn’t require funding from other levels of government and focus on both backbone and last-mile projects, according to documents obtained through access to information. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here …
Continue reading "UBF should focus on both backbone, last mile, ISPs told ISED"
Pandemic has increased need for privacy rights, OPC told Guilbealt
COVID-19 has made privacy rights even more important, the federal privacy commissioner’s office told Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault in May. 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 …
Continue reading "Pandemic has increased need for privacy rights, OPC told Guilbealt "
Either disclose or withdraw MVNO layoff threat, CRTC tells Telus
The CRTC is asking Telus Corp. to publicly release a resolution from the company’s board of directors authorizing the firing of 5,000 workers should the regulator mandate access for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
Continue reading "Either disclose or withdraw MVNO layoff threat, CRTC tells Telus"
Videotron accuses Bell of undue preference over access to support structures
Quebecor Inc. has filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC over access to BCE Inc. support structures. 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 Wire …
Continue reading "Videotron accuses Bell of undue preference over access to support structures"
Even as Bell removes its gear, Bell, Telus say Huawei still in play for 5G
Both Telus Corp. and BCE Inc. still won’t rule out partnering with Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. for their 5G networks if the government grants permission to do so, despite Bell beginning to replace its ageing Huawei network equipment with that of 5G vendor Nokia Corp. Bell Mobility president Claire Gillies told The Wire Report in …
Continue reading "Even as Bell removes its gear, Bell, Telus say Huawei still in play for 5G"
‘Public outreach’ needed for ‘progress’ on encryption backdoors: gov’t doc
In order to make “progress” on the issue of access to encrypted communications, the federal government will have to reach out to the public and try to bring stakeholders onside, according to briefing documents prepared for Public Safety Minister Bill Blair. “One of the main difficulties that impedes governmental efforts to change lawful access policies, …
Continue reading "‘Public outreach’ needed for ‘progress’ on encryption backdoors: gov’t doc"
5G monitoring same as for all wireless tech: Health Canada
Health Canada has responded to an MPs’ query about what steps it is taking to monitor potential health effects of 5G networks, indicating it is treating 5G no differently than previous generations of wireless technology. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
Continue reading "5G monitoring same as for all wireless tech: Health Canada"
Federal government to accelerate rural broadband funds: Monsef
The federal government will speed up its rural broadband funding in response to COVID-19, with details to be announced shortly, according to Maryam Monsef, minister for women and gender equality and rural economic development. Monsef told The Wire Report in an interview Wednesday that she has been hearing from rural municipalities about “how we can …
Continue reading "Federal government to accelerate rural broadband funds: Monsef"
Quebecor hits out at Bell’s ‘unfounded’ IBW extension request
Quebecor Inc. has urged the CRTC to deny a BCE Inc. request to indefinitely postpone its consultation on access to fibre in-building wire in multi-dwelling units, labelling Bell’s arguments “unfounded” and “obviously exaggerated.” This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …
Continue reading "Quebecor hits out at Bell’s ‘unfounded’ IBW extension request"
Bell calls for new in-building wire tariff to be put on ice
A process to create a tariff for access to in-building wire in multi-dwelling units should be put on hold until after the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, or until BCE Inc. has been given sufficient time to check every existing connection, Bell has argued in a Part 1 application lodged with the CRTC. This content is …
Continue reading "Bell calls for new in-building wire tariff to be put on ice"
OPC reprimanded Bell over repeated delays in 2018: doc
BCE Inc.’s delays and incomplete responses to multiple information access requests drew the ire of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in 2018, according to a document obtained through Access to Information. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and …
Continue reading "OPC reprimanded Bell over repeated delays in 2018: doc"
Canadian authorities in talks about COVID-19 tracking apps
Several of Canada’s cities and provinces, as well as the federal government, are in discussions about launching apps that would use location data to track exposure to COVID-19, researchers behind two projects say. Various teams around the world have been working on developing apps to trace the potential spread of the virus — from the …
Continue reading "Canadian authorities in talks about COVID-19 tracking apps"
ISED pushing Bell to show progress on CTI rollout: docs
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) will be pressuring BCE Inc. to show progress on the rural broadband projects for which it has received funding under the Connect to Innovate program, documents obtained under Access to Information indicate. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? …
Continue reading "ISED pushing Bell to show progress on CTI rollout: docs"
CRTC chair, commish toured Rogers’ ‘piracy lab’
As part of their ongoing effort to fight content piracy, two of Canada’s largest media and telecom companies have, or are considering setting up, “piracy labs” to demonstrate to visitors including regulators and government officials what infringement looks like. Rogers Communications Inc. has established a piracy lab which CRTC chairman Ian Scott and commissioner Monique …
Continue reading "CRTC chair, commish toured Rogers’ ‘piracy lab’"
Potential spring launch for Universal Broadband Fund: ISED doc
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada could launch its $1.7-billion rural broadband fund as early as this spring, according to a briefing note obtained through Access to Information. 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 …
Continue reading "Potential spring launch for Universal Broadband Fund: ISED doc"
CRTC launches tests, reporting rules after emergency alert glitches
Complaints about the national emergency alert system have prompted the CRTC to launch a smartphone testing program, as well as requiring wireless providers to report on how alerts are distributed, documents obtained through access to information show. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
Continue reading "CRTC launches tests, reporting rules after emergency alert glitches"
‘Clock ticking’ on new content rules for web giants, Guilbeault says
The Liberal government’s minority mandate means it will have to move fast on its promised new rules for Canadian content on foreign digital platforms, Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault says. “We’re in a minority government and we have to do in months what we probably would have done in years in another context,” he said in …
Continue reading "‘Clock ticking’ on new content rules for web giants, Guilbeault says"
Court docs detail expansion of Canadian website-blocking order
Fresh documents are shedding light on how Canada’s first piracy case involving court-ordered website-blocking is playing out — revealing methods used by BCE Inc. to keep up with an expanding list of sites, and that Bell, Rogers Communications Inc. and Quebecor Inc. sent a letter asking third-party ISPs to keep mum about their request for …
Continue reading "Court docs detail expansion of Canadian website-blocking order"
$1.7B broadband fund to launch in 2020, no formal consultation: ISED
The federal government won’t hold a formal consultation on the development of its $1.7-billion Universal Broadband Fund for rural connectivity, as it aims to wrap up the application phase of the project by the end of the year. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …
Continue reading "$1.7B broadband fund to launch in 2020, no formal consultation: ISED"
Telus wants Competition Bureau methodology in MVNO review
After a November Competition Bureau report endorsed a limited version of mandated access to incumbent networks for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), Telus Corp. is asking the CRTC to let it see the methodology of the study and submit responses, or else throw the report out altogether. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already …
Continue reading "Telus wants Competition Bureau methodology in MVNO review"
PKP accused gov’t of ‘flagrantly’ favouring Bell over G7 contracts
Quebecor Inc. CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau wrote a letter taking the Liberal government to task over the contract to upgrade wireless services for 2018 G7 summit, accusing it of favouritism toward Quebecor rival BCE Inc. and demanding the government make the new Bell infrastructure available to other providers for free. This content is available to …
Continue reading "PKP accused gov’t of ‘flagrantly’ favouring Bell over G7 contracts"
With telecom affordability, political parties wade into fierce debate
As politicians take aim at telecom affordability in this fall’s election campaign, they join a perennial dispute in which industry has taken issue with various reports showing high Canadian prices — and which played a part in why one telecom research firm is, for now, quietly phasing Canada out of its study. This content is …
Continue reading "With telecom affordability, political parties wade into fierce debate"
NDP price caps would apply to all wireless plans, be set by the CRTC
The NDP’s promised telecom service price caps would apply to all wireless plans and the CRTC would be the body charged with setting up the regime, an NDP source confirmed following a press conference held in Toronto Friday to reiterate the party’s election promises to lower cellphone and internet service bills. This content is available …
Continue reading "NDP price caps would apply to all wireless plans, be set by the CRTC"
Telus warned gov’t of Huawei ban’s ‘far-reaching impacts’: secret docs
Telus Corp. told the federal government that prohibiting Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.’s equipment from next-generation networks would significantly delay the deployment of 5G — a week before its CEO reassured investors that a ban would be manageable. The company urged the Liberal government not to put in place any additional bans on Huawei equipment for …
Continue reading "Telus warned gov’t of Huawei ban’s ‘far-reaching impacts’: secret docs"
Heritage working groups examining regulation of online content
Heritage Canada has commissioned seven working groups that are looking at how to modernize the Broadcasting Act, parallel to the government-appointed expert panel whose recommendations are due in January. 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 …
Continue reading "Heritage working groups examining regulation of online content"
CRTC to lead future telecom cybersecurity rules: gov’t document
The Liberal government plans to have the CRTC be the body in charge of developing and then enforcing telecom regulation related to future cybersecurity laws, according to a memo for Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez obtained through access to information law. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
Continue reading "CRTC to lead future telecom cybersecurity rules: gov’t document"
Rogers’ financing plans ‘might be seen as a problem’: CCTS
The Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS) said Wednesday that new phone financing plans introduced by Rogers Communications Inc. may run afoul of the Wireless Code. 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. …
Continue reading "Rogers’ financing plans ‘might be seen as a problem’: CCTS"
ISED missed internal CTI deadline despite ‘considerable pressure’: docs
The federal government failed to meet an internal goal by which it aimed to have nearly all of the contribution agreements signed for its Connect to Innovate (CTI) rural broadband funding program. “There is considerable pressure by Ministers, provinces, media and Canadians to show progress — both in negotiations, and in getting ‘shovels in the …
Continue reading "ISED missed internal CTI deadline despite ‘considerable pressure’: docs"
32% of Indigenous households at below 5 Mbps: gov’t projections
The federal government expected contributions from its broadband programs, including Connecting Canadians and Connect to Innovate (CTI), to slash by half the number of Indigenous households that don’t have access to at least 5 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload by this year, according to a confidential August 2018 document. This content is available to …
Continue reading "32% of Indigenous households at below 5 Mbps: gov’t projections"
No Super Bowl simsub reversal without USMCA: gov’t to Bell
The federal government isn’t interested in helping ensure BCE Inc. sees a reversal of the CRTC’s Super Bowl simultaneous substitution ban outside of the new free trade agreement with the United States and Mexico, internal documents indicate. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
Continue reading "No Super Bowl simsub reversal without USMCA: gov’t to Bell"
Corus asked BTLR to immediately change foreign ownership rules
Corus Entertainment Inc., the only major Canadian broadcaster refusing to make public its submission to the ongoing review of Canada’s communications laws, asked the government to move quickly to loosen restrictions on foreign ownership of broadcast assets. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
Continue reading "Corus asked BTLR to immediately change foreign ownership rules"
60% of Connect to Innovate applicants still haven’t heard back
More than two years after the deadline to apply for funding through the federal government’s Connect to Innovate rural broadband program, the majority of those who submitted applications have yet to find out whether they were successful. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
Continue reading "60% of Connect to Innovate applicants still haven’t heard back"
BTLR commissioned research on passive infrastructure, video games
The panel in charge of reviewing Canada’s communications laws has hired consultants to produce research papers on six topics, most of which have an international focus, according to a document obtained by The Wire Report through an Access to Information request. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN …
Continue reading "BTLR commissioned research on passive infrastructure, video games"
NDP MP says gov’t must clarify if Netflix deal had any French-language funds
OTTAWA — Quebec NDP MP François Choquette has filed a judicial review application with the Federal Court to contest the alleged premature closing of an investigation by the Official Languages commissioner into the 2017 Netflix deal that the MP claims underserves francophone Canadians. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …
Continue reading "NDP MP says gov’t must clarify if Netflix deal had any French-language funds"
Few internet giants weighed in to BTLR, submission list shows
The panel in charge of reviewing the broadcasting and telecom acts received comments from a number of non-industry parties, such as provincial governments and police services, while some of the biggest online companies in the world, including Amazon.com Inc., did not submit comments, according to newly-disclosed government documents. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already …
Continue reading "Few internet giants weighed in to BTLR, submission list shows"
Samsung readying 5G PR blitz in Canada: internal comms
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is embarking this year on a massive information and marketing campaign to promote its leadership on, and rollout of, 5G in Canada, according to a high level presentation seen by The Wire Report on Wednesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
Continue reading "Samsung readying 5G PR blitz in Canada: internal comms"
‘Milestone’ digital content meeting to take place next week: Heritage
The federal government is organizing a working meeting next week in Ottawa involving a broad swath of stakeholders to devise strategies for promoting diversity of digital content, including discoverability and the quality and reliability of information online. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
Continue reading "‘Milestone’ digital content meeting to take place next week: Heritage"
Bell’s panel submission calls for CMF to get 20% of foreign OTT revenues
BCE Inc. wants to inject the Canada Media Fund (CMF) with a potentially significant influx of cash by forcing foreign over-the-top (OTT) services to fork over 20 per cent of their Canadian revenues to the non-profit every year. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …
Continue reading "Bell’s panel submission calls for CMF to get 20% of foreign OTT revenues"
Gaming companies bristle after review panel suggests they’re broadcasters
A meeting with individuals leading the federal government’s review of communications legislation caught the video game industry off-guard, when the panel members’ questions suggested the gaming industry could be brought into the broadcasting system. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
Continue reading "Gaming companies bristle after review panel suggests they’re broadcasters"
Bell asked gov’t to ban some VPNs: documents
BCE Inc. urged the federal government to make virtual private networks (VPNs) used to circumvent copyright illegal, ahead of the renegotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). VPN services, normally offered at a monthly rate, mask users’ real IP address via encryption, allowing them to surf the internet without being traced. It is a tool used …
Continue reading "Bell asked gov’t to ban some VPNs: documents"
Platforms could pull out of Canadian market if regulated: Google
Alphabet Inc.’s Google already contributes to the Canadian creative system by providing the infrastructure for users to upload and share their content and enabling them to earn revenue from it, the company is telling the federal review of Canada’s communications legislation. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN …
Continue reading "Platforms could pull out of Canadian market if regulated: Google"
ARIN CEO rejects legislative ask for IP address record rules
A regional internet registry is going to walk-back a controversial request it made to Parliament asking for federal rules on IP address record-keeping, which the head of the organization said wasn’t approved by its own board of trustees or CEO before it was submitted and was never officially their position. This content is available to …
Continue reading "ARIN CEO rejects legislative ask for IP address record rules"