Connecting Canadians investing $250,000 in Eastern Ontario

The federal government is making available $250,000 to improve Internet service in Eastern Ontario.

Mandating co-location would be a barrier to competition: CNOC

An application by BCE Inc. asking the CRTC not to require the implementation of meet-me points through which smaller companies could connect to the telco’s network, if granted, would harm competition, small ISPs are arguing.

“Bell’s application is an attempt to slow competition that would also generate an unnecessary windfall for Bell at the expense of competitors and consumers,” the Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) said in a Jan. 23 intervention.

Two rural Ontario areas receive $2.53M to improve connectivity

The federal and Ontario governments are making available $2.53 million in funding to improve Internet service in two areas of the province, the federal government announced in a press release Monday.

“In King Township, the project will expand the fibre optic broadband network to rural residents. In Huron County, the project will provide high-speed broadband service to 929 homes, dozens of small businesses and a school,” the press release said.

Tax deduction change would boost ad revenue $250-$450M: Friends

Removing tax deductions for advertising on non-Canadian online media outlets could help the beleaguered local media and news sectors, while saving the government money, according to a new paper from watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

OpenMedia platform to help Canadians advocate for community-owned Internet service

OpenMedia has built a platform to make it easier for Canadians to connect with elected representatives in order to encourage more community-controlled broadband projects that are independent of big telecom providers.

In a blog post on its website Monday, the advocacy group said by helping directly connect Canadians to their government representatives, it hopes to bring “cheaper, faster” local government-supported Internet infrastructure in more communities across Canada.

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.

Bell set to increase Internet and TV prices

BCE Inc. will increase monthly prices for some of its residential services as of Feb. 1, a move it says is needed to support higher traffic on its network.

On its website, the company said it spends $3.5 billion each year on network infrastructure to deliver “new features, even faster and more reliable Internet and world-class entertainment.”

It said its network traffic grew by nearly 40 per cent last year.

O’Leary promises unrecognizable CRTC as he enters CPC leadership race

Celebrity businessman Kevin O’Leary has the country’s telecom regulator in his sights as he launches his campaign for leader of the federal Conservative Party.

Bell offering IBM enterprise apps

BCE Inc.’s business customers now have access to IBM Corp.’s MobileFirst enterprise apps for devices running on Apple Inc.’s iOS operating system.

Canadians don’t want CanCon funding passed down to subscribers: report

A report prepared for the Privy Council Office found Canadians were generally in favour of increasing contributions to Canadian content, but don’t believe those increases should be passed down to customers.

Zero-rated programs from vertically integrated providers may cause harm: FCC report

A branch of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said it had concerns with the differential pricing practices used by Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. as it wrapped up a review of sponsored data and zero-rating.

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.

Shaw launches IPTV platform

Shaw Communications Inc. has made its IPTV service, called BlueSky, available in Calgary, and plans to launch it in additional markets “in the coming months.”

Competition Bureau fines Amazon $1M

Amazon.com Inc. must pay a $1-million fine over the pricing practices on its Canadian website following a Competition Bureau investigation.

The bureau said in a press release Wednesday that Amazon compared its prices to a regular or list price, which “created the impression that prices for items offered on www.amazon.ca were lower than prevailing market prices.”

Jay Thomson to head CCSA

The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) has named Jay Thomson as its new CEO.

Thomson, who is currently the vice-president of broadcasting policy and regulatory affairs for the Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA), will start effective Feb. 1, 2017, the CCSA said in a press release Tuesday.

Thomson has also previously “held senior regulatory and policy positions” at Telus Corp., the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) and the Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA), according to the release.

Xplornet buys YourLink for $28.79M

Xplornet Communications Inc. has purchased “all YourLink Internet services operations in Saskatchewan” from Vecima Networks Inc., the satellite Internet service provider (ISP) said Monday.

YourLink offers Internet service in Saskatchewan and cable services in British Columbia, according to its website. Xplornet spokesman James Maunder said in an email Tuesday the deal involved all of YourLink's operations and had a purchase price of $28.75 million, subject to normal closing adjustments."

As online video, data transmissions grow, need for CDNs expanding

Last month, Amazon.com Inc. announced that its data centre business was expanding into Canada, a move that illustrates what some say is the need for more data points as an increasing amount of digital content is consumed and emerging technologies like 4K and virtual reality grow.

FCC asked to pull back ISP privacy rules

A group representing American telecom companies has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reconsider the broadband privacy rules the United States regulator imposed last year.

BroadbandTV expands to eight more countries

Vancouver-based multi-platform network (MPN) BroadbandTV Corp. has launched in Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt, the company announced Friday.

It said in a press release it currently “actively operates in seven languages and 23 countries.”

ISP tax a good idea, former CRTC chair says

A former chairman of the CRTC is backing the concept of levying a new tax on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as the heritage minister mulls ways to rejig the country’s cultural institutions.

Impact of wholesale rates, pick-and-pay will be felt in 2017: Canaccord

The initial pinch of the CRTC’s decisions on two important issues in 2016 — wholesale rates and pick-and-pay — will be felt in the new year, according to Canaccord Genuity analyst Aravinda Galappatthige.

Canada has areas to improve before it can benefit from IoT: report

Canada is in a good position to be an “early mover” of Internet of Things (IoT) adoption, but it’s still falling behind in key areas required for forward momentum, according to a new report from the Public Policy Forum.

In the December report published on the Public Policy Forum’s website Wednesday, the Canadian think tank identified recommendations “for governments, business and post-secondary institutions that will allow consumers and businesses to take advantage of the opportunities provided by IoT.”

Amazon little threat to Netflix, Crave for now: analyst

A tepid launch of Amazon.com Inc.’s Prime video streaming service in Canada doesn’t seem likely to pose a challenge to existing players in the Canadian streaming market — for the time being, at least, given Amazon’s global clout could make it a formidable challenger in the future.

Ottawa non-profit ISP launches $25 plan for social housing tenants

Ottawa’s National Capital Freenet (NCF), a not-for-profit Internet Service Provider (ISP), has launched a $25-per-month unlimited bandwidth Internet plan for tenants of the city’s largest social housing organization.

The organization announced the program on Jan. 3, which was “possible in part because of a recent gift from the estate of one of NCF's first members, plus ongoing donations from many of their other members,” according to a release on its website.

Bell drops Zazeen suit

BCE Inc. has dropped its second lawsuit alleging copyright infringement against a small Internet protocol TV (IPTV) provider, following changes the company made to its service.

Look beyond incumbents with new $750M fund, Iristel tells CRTC

Iristel Inc. is asking the CRTC to “go beyond the ‘same old players’ to companies committed to competition and enhanced services for Canadians” when it comes to providing funding as part of its new $750-million program to improve Internet service in Canada.

50 Mbps speeds, LTE part of CRTC’s new basic service requirements

GATINEAU, Que. — Advocates are calling the CRTC’s new basic service requirements — which include a minimum of 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speeds and LTE coverage — “transformative” and “game-changing” while financial analysts said the new rules won’t have an impact on companies’ bottom lines.  

Hold consultation on IMSI catcher use, Rogers tells gov’t

The government should consult industry, privacy experts and Canadians on the use of IMSI catchers in Canada, Rogers Communications Inc. said in its submission to the federal government’s national security review.

Rogers said the use of IMSI catchers, also known as stingrays, is not currently detectable on a wireless network and can interfere with customers’ communications.

TekSavvy campaign pushes for continuation of interim HSA rates

TekSavvy Solutions Inc. is lowering its Internet prices next month, and asking its customers to help press for the continuation of interim wholesale access rates.

Using the hashtag #ThanksAgainCRTC, TekSavvy customers took to Twitter to react to emails received about price reductions ranging from $1 to $16 per month.

Quebec opens call for rural broadband projects

Meant to work in concert with the federal program detailed last week, Quebec announced its own $100-million rural broadband program would be opening to applications next month.

In a French press release Monday, Dominique Anglade, Quebec’s minister of economy, science and innovation, said the application period for provincial funds will be open until March 13.

Retail regulation ‘worst case’ in basic service decision: Desjardins

The “worst case scenario” for incumbent telecom companies when the CRTC releases its decision on the basic service proceeding it held this spring will be if the commission “decides that regulation of retail prices is required to make the service more affordable,” according Desjardins Capital Markets analyst Maher Yaghi.

Class-action suit filed after Yahoo hacks

Yahoo Inc.

EchoStar XIX satellite launches

One of two new satellites on which Xplornet Communications Inc. has purchased capacity has launched successfully, the company said in a press release Monday.

The EchoStar XIX is the “highest capacity broadband satellite ever launched,” Xplornet said.

Avoid ISP tax, tweak CanCon rules, companies say in Heritage review

There isn’t much disagreement between some of the country’s biggest media and telecom service providers over whether foreign entities, such as over-the-top providers like Netflix Inc., should be making a contribution to the country’s cultural sector.

Rural broadband program aims to bring 300 communities up to speed

WAKEFIELD, Que. — The federal government’s new rural broadband program will focus on making high-speed connections, as opposed to simply forging Internet connections for rural and remote communities, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains said Thursday, in announcing some of the long-awaited details to the Liberal commitment outlined in this spring’s budget.

Few boomers have cut the cord: MTM

The anglophone generation that is in, or nearing, retirement is consuming more traditional TV than their younger counterparts, as less than a tenth of boomers has cut the cord, according to the latest MTM report released Wednesday.

About 86 per cent of the demographic — defined as those between 50 and 70 —pay for a TV service like cable, satellite or IPTV, according to the report from Media Technology Monitor, a project of CBC/Radio-Canada. Younger Canadians are twice as likely as boomers to have cut the cord, MTM said.

Tom Wheeler leaving FCC in January

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Tom Wheeler is leaving his post as head of the United States regulator on Jan. 20, 2017.

Another Yahoo breach involved 1 billion accounts: reports

Yahoo Inc. has found a new security breach that has compromised more than one billion user accounts, a figure that is double the breach it discovered only a couple of months ago, according to reports Wednesday. 

Tie tax change to rural broadband: finance committee

A House of Commons committee has recommended that if changes to the tax structure for telecom expenses are implemented in next year’s budget, they be tied to rural broadband investment.

Investel to launch national Wi-Fi based wireless service

Investel Capital Corp.’s TNW Networks Corp. (TNW) will soon start deploying a Wi-Fi-based mobile technology as part of a nationally available wireless service that the company is claiming will be disruptive to the Canadian market, despite regulatory uncertainly caused by a CRTC complaint regarding a similar service.

Amazon Prime streaming service officially available in Canada

Amazon.com Inc.’s Amazon Prime Video has entered the Canadian market, as part of a worldwide launch for the streaming service, the company announced in a press release Wednesday.

The service, which is bundled with its Amazon Prime priority shipping service, costs $79 a year, according to Amazon’s website.

Most Canadians satisfied with Internet service: CIRA

Canadians are “generally satisfied” with the speed of their home Internet service, according to a new report from the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA).

“More than 80 per cent of those surveyed said they’re satisfied, although just 34 per cent claim to be very satisfied,” the annual CIRA Internet Factbook report, released Tuesday, said.

HoC committee touts Canada Post for Internet connections

A group of parliamentarians has suggested that the future of the country’s postal service may lie with its entrance into the world of telecommunications.

On Tuesday, the House of Commons standing committee on government operations and estimates tabled a report in Parliament on its study of Canada Post.

In the 200-page document, the Liberal majority members of the committee made 45 recommendations, two of which suggested delving into providing broadband Internet and wireless cellular service.

Canadians favour funding for international CanCon success: PIAC poll

Canadians are broadly in support of making domestic film and TV productions successful internationally and being provided the funding to do so, but don’t share a consensus on where that money should go, according to a public opinion survey conducted by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).

CRTC suspends PIAC website blocking application

Amazon expands cloud services in Canada

Amazon.com Inc. has expanded its data centre services into Canada with the introduction of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Montreal.

It is the first AWS in Canada, joining four other regions in North America (in Northern Virginia, Ohio Oregon and Northern California) and 14 others worldwide, according to Amazon. The total number of AWS availability zones is now up to 40 globally. 

The cloud service can now house customer data in the central region of the country, the e-commerce company said in a Thursday press release.

Bell asks CRTC to reconsider aspects of disaggregated regime

BCE Inc. is asking the CRTC to hold off on requiring the company to build new infrastructure as part of the regulator’s new disaggregated wholesale wireline regime, something small Internet Service Providers (ISPs) say they are concerned could further delay the implementation of a system the CRTC decided to establish in 2015.

Shaw connects Freedom Mobile to WiFi hotspots

Shaw Communications Inc. is allowing customers of its Freedom Mobile to connect to its network of Wi-Fi hotspots.

Freedom Mobile subscribers will have access to more than 65,000 hot spots in Western Canada, Shaw said in a press release Wednesday.

Overturn worldwide search result ban, Google asks Supreme Court

OTTAWA — Canada’s highest court heard arguments Tuesday on whether a court in Canada can order a worldwide ban on websites appearing on Alphabet Inc.’s Google search engine, with counsel for Google arguing that such a ban would infringe on its free expression rights to rank its search results and devalue the quality of its search results.

Social media networks team up to flag terrorism-related content

Facebook Inc., Microsoft Corp., Twitter Inc. and Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube will begin sharing information to help curb the spread of terrorism-related content.

FCC dep’t engaging in ‘wild goose chase’ over zero-rating: commissioner

A branch of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is engaging in a “wild goose chase” by investigating a pair of companies’ zero-rating offers, according to one commissioner.

In a statement posted to the American regulator’s website Friday, commissioner Mike O’Rielly called for the FCC chairman to “halt this wild goose chase at once,” citing direction from U.S. Congress to “avoid directing attention and resources to complex or controversial matters.”

Telecoms must tell customers about info disclosure: privacy commish

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) has clarified its rules around whether telecom companies have to tell customers if they have disclosed their personal information to other parties.

The OPC said in a decision published last month that it had received a complaint from a customer of a telecom company which had “refused to advise her of whether her personal information, or information about her account or devices, had been disclosed to other parties, including law enforcement and other state agencies.”

Netflix downloads bad sign for telecoms: Desjardins

67% of anglophones stream music: MTM

More than two-thirds of anglophone Canadians use the Internet to listen to streaming audio, a number that rises to more than 90 per cent among students and those under 35, according to a new report from Media Technology Monitor (MTM).

Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube is the most popular way to listen to music, according to the report, with 55 per cent of anglophones reporting streaming music on YouTube, compared to 24 per cent who listen to online radio and personalized streaming services, and 25 who said they listened to podcasts.

Canada part of int’l talks on taxing foreign digital services

OTTAWA — Canada is involved in international discussions about how to address the issue of foreign digital vendors not being subject to domestic sales tax, a parliamentary committee learned Thursday, as it prodded at a long-standing question of whether American companies such as Netflix Inc. are benefiting to the disadvantage of Canadian media companies.

Netflix now allows customers to download shows

Netflix Inc. viewers will now be able to download content from its over-the-top (OTT) service to watch off-line.

The company said in a press release Wednesday that the new free feature is included in all plans and available on phones and tablets running on both Apple Inc.’s and Alphabet Inc.’s Android operating systems.

“Many of your favorite streaming series and movies are already available for download, with more on the way,” Netflix said in the release.

‘Too early’ to tell what impact 5G could have on FTTH rollout: Bell CFO

Glen LeBlanc, BCE Inc.’s executive vice-president and chief financial officer, told an investor’s conference hosted by RBC Tuesday that the company is on track to have its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) rollout completed within eight to 10 years.

CBC asks for 35% funding boost to go ad-free

CBC/Radio-Canada is asking the federal government for an increase in its funding so that it can eliminate advertising on its platforms.

In a submission made as part of a government review of Canadian content in a digital age, CBC asked for an increase of $12 per person in funding, to $46.

Ontario approves self-driving car pilot

Ontario is launching a pilot project to test self-driving cars, the provincial government said Monday.

It noted in a press release that the province was the first in Canada to launch a regulatory framework allowing it to “test automated vehicles on its roads” earlier this year.  

Rescind digital media exemption order: ACTRA

The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) is asking the government to rescind the digital media exemption order (DMEO) as part of its review of Canadian content in a digital age.

‘Virtually impossible’ to quantify damage from set-top boxes: telecoms

BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc. and Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron are asking a federal court judge to dismiss an appeal of an injunction banning sales of “pre-loaded” set-top boxes.

Virgin Internet could hurt Videotron: Desjardins

The move this week by BCE Inc. flanker brand Virgin Mobile Canada to expand its home Internet into Quebec could put pressure on Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron, Desjardins analyst Maher Yaghi said in a note Friday.

Voltage must pay disclosure costs: Rogers

Rogers Communications Inc. is asking the Federal Court of Appeal to turn down Voltage Pictures LLC’s case to have the Internet service provider (ISP) pay for its own costs associated with retrieving subscriber data.  

CMPA asks for CanCon contributions from OTT, ISPs

The Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) is asking the federal government to “modernize” and require both over-the-top (OTT) services and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to contribute to the CanCon system.

Customer complaints down 18%, CCTS says

The number of complaints about telecom services has declined for the third straight year, the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) said, adding it expects complaints arising from confusion about the rules to drop amid clearer regulations from the CRTC. 

The CCTS released its annual report on customer complaints for communications services Thursday. It showed complaints were down 18 per cent this year, continuing a downward trend, which the agency attributed to its own efforts to publicise the issue.   

Telus expands low-cost Internet pilot to Alberta

Telus Corp. is expanding a pilot project, Internet for Good, that provides Internet service for $9.95 per month to low-income, single-parent families.

The company said in a press release that early next year, around 15,000 Alberta families currently receiving government assistance will receive a coupon code in the mail allowing them to activate the offer.

Facebook working on increasing monetization for news media: exec

MONTREAL — Facebook Inc. is increasing opportunities for the news media to monetize content, the company’s Canadian head of public policy said Wednesday, citing initiatives like Instant Articles and Facebook Live.

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. 

Bernier would streamline CBC’s mandate, remove ads as CPC leader

OTTAWA — Conservative MP Maxime Bernier said Wednesday that if he is selected as the next leader of the federal Conservative Party and the next Canadian prime minister, he would move to make changes to CBC/Radio-Canada that would keep it from competing with the private sector.

Telus, Huawei closer to 5G with network deployment

Telus Corp. and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., who have been collaborating to help develop 5G technology, said they have achieved another step toward its deployment. 

Virgin Mobile expands Internet offering into Quebec

Virgin Mobile Canada is expanding its home Internet into Quebec and the company will donate money for every subscriber toward a charitable initiative, it said in a Wednesday news release.

Ending CBC’s $25M in digital ads won’t help other media: Lacroix

CBC/Radio-Canada CEO Hubert Lacroix has responded to recent statements by the heads of some Canadian newspapers about the public broadcaster competing in the digital advertising space, writing that “limiting what public broadcasting does will only mean fewer services for Canadians.”

Eisenach named to Trump “landing team”

Jeffrey Eisenach has been named to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s “landing team,” with responsibility for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), according to a Monday press release.

Mark Jamison, director of the Public Utility Research Center at the University of Florida, was also named to the team and will focus on the FCC. The landing team will play a part in the transition from the current U.S. administration.

Big Three among biggest spenders on R&D in Canada

Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. are near the top of this year’s list of the 100 companies in Canada that spend the most on research and development.

The list, released annually by Research Infosource, is based on information from “proprietary databases,” the company said in a Nov. 14 press release.

CBC, Facebook digital ad sales hurting newspapers, committee hears

OTTAWA — The Canadian government should review its mandate for CBC/Radio-Canada in light of the national broadcaster and foreign digital competitors taking away ad dollars from local newspapers, individuals representing the latter told the House of Commons standing committee on Canadian Heritage Thursday. 

Amazon taking original series worldwide

Amazon.com Inc. will be bringing its new automotive-based reality show, The Grand Tour, to more than 200 countries next month, the company announced this week.

In a video and post on the company website featuring the stars of the show, best-known from the popular British show Top Gear, the company said the new show premieres in the U.K., U.S., Germany, Austria and Japan Friday, before being available in other regions.

Infrastructure, spectrum key to competition, lower prices: Bains

OTTAWA — The quality of Canada’s wireless and wireline networks is a “significant strength,” but the country can’t rest on its laurels while others catch up, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains told attendees of the International Institute of Communications’ (IIC) Canadian conference Thursday morning.

ISP tax possible as part of CanCon review, Joly says

OTTAWA — Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly said Thursday that imposing a tax on Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to fund cultural content remains a possible outcome of her sweeping review of Canadian content in a digital age.

Call for rural broadband program applications coming in December: ISED

OTTAWA — Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada still has work to do when it comes to filling in gaps in the country’s broadband coverage, a Senate standing committee heard Wednesday evening, beginning with a December call for applications to its new rural broadband program. 

Sasktel boosting Internet offerings in 4 communities

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. is upgrading Internet speeds in some communities and will begin offering higher-speed service to another in Saskatchewan. 

In one of two press releases Wednesday, the communications provider said that it is upgrading the speeds of its High Speed Basic Internet tier to 5 Mbps from 1.5 Mbps for residents of Deschambault Lake, Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay. 

Half a billion subscribers will be on 5G by 2022: Ericsson

An Ericsson AB report is projecting that more than 550 million subscribers will be on 5G networks by 2022.  

The latest Ericsson Mobility Report, released Tuesday, said that two years after it becomes available in 2020, 5G will cover 10 per cent of the world’s population.

Google not ‘grabbing’ media revenue, VP tells MPs

OTTAWA — Creating the oft-asked-for level playing field by making foreign digital services subject to Canadian sales tax would hurt smaller companies trying to break into the country’s market, a House of Commons committee heard Tuesday from a representative of Alphabet Inc.’s Google Canada.

Videotron begins testing ultra-fast Internet

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron said it has begun implementation of Docsis 3.1, which could deliver speeds of up to 10 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload.

The company said in a press release Tuesday it is deploying the Docsis 3.1 modems on its network “and adapting its equipment and working protocols to the new technology.” All that is required is the new modem for the customer and a software upgrade on the network to unlock the new high speeds, the release said.  

New Northwestel rates could ‘finally’ lead to competition: SSi

Ericsson, Rogers team up on water-quality monitoring project

Ericsson AB and Rogers Communications Inc. are participating in a project to help monitor water quality in Ottawa, the companies said in a press release Tuesday.

The pilot project will “leverage a combination of Internet of Things (IoT), cloud and LTE mobile broadband technologies to gather real-time data that City staff can use to better predict, prevent and respond to potential issues related to water quality, including cleanliness and abnormal temperatures.”

Internet companies reach out to new U.S. leadership

An organization representing four-dozen major online-based companies has reached out to president-elect Donald Trump, congratulating him on his victory while proposing digital policy planks for his administration to consider.

Media companies looking to MCNs to reach younger audiences

Multi-channel networks (MCNs) have carved out a space in the online video ecosystem in recent years, leading traditional broadcasters to move into MCNs as a relatively low-risk way to reach younger demographics — though there is some question about the ability to monetize such investments.

Sasktel ties for fastest LTE speeds in the world: OpenSignal

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp.’s LTE download speeds are among the fastest in the world, according to a new OpenSignal Inc. report.

“In the fourth quarter, Singapore had the fastest networks by far, averaging 37 Mbps, and two of its operators [Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.] and [StarHub Ltd.] joined Canada’s SaskTel in vying for the title of world’s fastest operator,” the report, released Nov. 10, said.