Fibre Internet customers more satisfied, says market study

The proportion of Canadians connected to the Internet by fibre is rising and these people are more satisfied with their Internet service than others, according to market research data released Thursday.

J.D. Power and Associates said in press release that its most recent study of Internet service satisfaction in the country showed 18 per cent of Canadians reporting a fibre-optic connection, up from 15 per cent a year earlier.

SaskTel announces M2M management portal

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. said Wednesday it has launched a machine-to-machine (M2M) management centre, which is an online portal for its business customers to control and monitor devices linked to an M2M connection.

SaskTel said the portal will allow customers to gain analytical information about their connected devices.

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.

MTS launches single Internet service for home and on the go

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. launched a new plan Tuesday that integrates home Internet and wireless data service in one package, which analysts agreed is an indication of the ongoing trend toward Internet connectivity becoming telecoms’ core product.

Google launches free music-streaming service in U.S.

Google Inc. announced in a blog post Tuesday it will be adding to its current Google Play Music offering a free, ad-supported music streaming service.

It will give users “a new way to find just the right music and ... artists another way to earn revenue,” said the post.

Verizon completes purchase of AOL

Verizon Communications Inc. announced Tuesday that it has completed its acquisition of AOL Inc.

Is government easing off on spectrum-transfer policy?

Speculation that the federal government is poised to approve the acquisition of Mobilicity and its spectrum by Telus Corp. or Rogers Communications Inc. has some observers disagreeing whether this would represent a major departure for the federal government in its spectrum-transfer policy.

BAE Systems bringing cloud-based security system to Canada

BAE Systems PLC announced Monday that its cloud-based cyber security system will be brought to commercial organizations in Canada for the first time.

The company said in a press release that new offering comes from its recent acquisition of security systems company SilverSky. The company will be offering its new security system, which is designed to defend against large targeted attacks, the release said.

BAE said the first products made available under this program will focus on email.

ITU defines roadmap to 5G

The United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the intergovernmental body that is responsible for establishing worldwide standards of communication systems, announced Friday it has defined a roadmap for 5G mobile network development.

It said in a press release that it has defined the process, goals and the timeline for development of 5G networks, and that it plans to discuss technical requirements of creating a 5G network for optimal performance with a goal of having the new system in place by 2020.

Telus to expand fibre network in Edmonton

Telus Corp. said Friday it will be expanding its fibre-optic network in Edmonton to connect directly to more than 90 per cent of homes and businesses in the city over the next six years.

The company said in a press release that it will invest $1 billion to expand the network to create better social and economic opportunities. Darren Entwistle, executive chairman of Telus, said in the release that the expansion will connect homes, hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacists, businesses, schools, libraries and municipal governments to the network.

Industry Minister James Moore leaving Ottawa

Industry Minister James Moore said Friday that he will not run in this fall's federal election.

Moore said in a statement posted to his personal website that he will finish his term as MP before "going home to British Columbia to pursue new opportunities and be closer to my young family."

He is expected to stay on as industry minister until the next election.

Privacy issues around wearables come into view

As wearable technology moves further into the mainstream, thoughts are turning toward how individual privacy can be protected with such devices that track and transmit information as personal as health data and real-time location.

Among the projects the Office of the Privacy Commissioner is slated to tackle over the next year is an analysis of fitness-tracker privacy and security.

Bill S-4 passes in House of Commons

Bill S-4, the Digital Privacy Act, received royal assent and has become law, Industry Minister James Moore said in a press release Thrusday.

Canadian telecom prices remain high in international comparisons: report

Prices of low-end wireless plans have continued to climb for the second year in a row, while Canada’s rates for broadband, wireless and bundled telecom services remain high compared to other countries, a new report found.

Committee calls for more research into wireless health effects

The House of Commons health committee is recommending that government consider more funding for researching links between wireless technology and health conditions such as cancer.

As a result of meetings held on the issue between March and April, the committee released a report on Wednesday that included a dozen recommendations.

AT&T to be fined $100M US for throttling

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said Wednesday it would fine AT&T $100 million US for slowing down traffic for customers on wireless plans touted as being "unlimited."

The FCC said in a press release that an investigation found AT&T "severely slowed data speeds" for these customers without adequate notification.

Rogers IPTV launch to coincide with skinny-basic offering

Rogers Communications Inc. will launch its IPTV service at about the same time it starts adjusting to new rules that require service providers to provide skinny-basic TV packages for no more than $25 a month, the company's chief financial officer told an investor conference in Toronto on Wednesday.

"With that enhanced user interface, it'll be good vehicle in which to launch some of the new, what I would call, packages," Tony Staffieri said during the TD Securities Telecom & Media Forum.

Music-streaming revenue rose sixfold last year: SOCAN

Music-streaming revenue reported by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) increased from $3.4 million in 2013 to $21.3 million in 2014, the organization said in a press release Tuesday.

Its total revenue was up 8.4 per cent to $299.5 million, and it distributed $241 million to its members, it said.

CTV News partners with Facebook for election coverage

BCE Inc.’s CTV News announced Tuesday it has partnered with Facebook Inc. for coverage of this year's federal election campaign.

CTV said in a press release the partnership starts immediately and continues until the October election. Features of the new service will include access to Facebook’s experts, information on topics that are trending on the social network, how parties and candidates are using Facebook, and how well they are engaging with people on Facebook, the release said.

Modernization Plan network improvements at risk: Northwestel

Northwestel Inc. is asking the CRTC to reconsider its move in March to eliminate a $20 surcharge the company charges some customers.

60% of mobile data on WiFi by 2019: Juniper Research

Almost 60 per cent of the data generated globally by smartphones and tablets will be offloaded to WiFi networks by 2019, Juniper Research Ltd. said Tuesday.

Juniper said in a press release that more than 115,000 petabytes from mobile devices will be offloaded in 2019, up from less than 30,000 PB this year.

Cellular IoT/M2M connections predicted to quadruple by 2019

The number of cellular Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) connections globally will nearly quadruple between 2014 and 2019, technology research group 451 Research LLC said Monday.

451 Research said in a press release that the number of connections will reach 908 million in 2019, up from 252 million last year.

Privacy commish criticizes targeted ads on ‘sensitive topics’

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner said in a report Monday that some targeted ads are tracking online behaviour related to “sensitive topics,” such as divorce and pregnancy, without opt-in consent.

The report looked at behavioural advertising that “involves tracking consumers’ online activities, across sites and over time, in order to deliver advertisements targeted to the consumers’ apparent interests.”

Court upholds injunction against Google results for company

The British Columbia Court of Appeal this week upheld an injunction against a certain company turning up in Google searches because the company is alleged to be infringing on the rights of another company, according to report in the Globe and Mail.

An article published online Thursday said the court dismissed an appeal from Google Inc. to have an injunction against showing results for Datalink Technologies Gateways Inc. overturned.

Who to lobby on spectrum: Policy Map

With demand for wireless spectrum on the rise, policy around the finite natural resource in Canada has emerged as a major government file over the last decade.

NDP, Liberals say OTT services should disclose

In supplementary comments on a House of Commons heritage committee report on the feature film industry, the federal NDP and Liberal parties said government should have access to information about revenues and viewership of over-the-top (OTT) services.

Peter Steinmetz appointed new Re:Sound chairman

Peter Steinmetz is the new chairman of Re:Sound Music Licensing Co.’s board of directors, the organization said Wednesday.

The organization, which is the copyright collective representing musical artists and labels in Canada, said Steinmetz, an entertainment lawyer, has previously served on the board of directors at a number of organizations, including as president of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and as chairman of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Privacy commish to look at IoT privacy

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner will release a report on privacy issues related to the Internet of Things (IoT), according to its annual report released Tuesday.

The office will release an introductory paper and “companion reports” on the tracking of retail purchasing decisions, and smart homes and devices, it said.

Blue Ant sells content to Eastern Europe

Blue Ant Media Inc. announced Tuesday sales of more than 100 hours of nature and wildlife content from its factual, lifestyle, reality and documentary series catalogue for distribution in Eastern Europe and other international locations.

OTT messaging struggling to monetize: Juniper

Over-the-top (OTT) messaging services are expected to see traffic levels triple globally by 2019 compared to last year's levels, but a lack of success in monetizing the product will lead to a decline in global revenue for the messaging industry overall, according to Juniper Research Ltd.

DHX to premiere new Degrassi show on Netflix

DHX Media Ltd., announced Tuesday that it will be premiering Degrassi: Next Class, a new series part of the Degrassi franchise, on Netflix Inc.

The company stated in a press release that the show will be available on Netflix worldwide in early 2016, except in Canada, Australia and France, where it will be available online at a later date.

The release said the new series, which is part of the popular Canadian-based television franchise that began in 1980s, will be filmed at DHX’s studio in Toronto.

Telus announces 8,000 free WiFi hotspots for West

Telus Corp. announced on Monday that it will provide free WiFi at more than 8,000 hotspots throughout British Columbia and Alberta.

These are provinces where Telus competes with Shaw Communications Inc. in the provision of landline phone, Internet and television services. Shaw operates more than 60,000 hotspots in Western Canada, according to its website.

Shaw's hotspots are mostly for its own Internet customers, though it also partners with several municipalities to provide free WiFi to the general public.

Large telecoms oppose CNOC application for interim relief

Canada’s biggest telecom companies are asking the CRTC to dismiss an application by smaller providers that, if granted, would make usage-sensitive rates interim, allowing small Internet service providers to access refunds and retroactive rate adjustments should the CRTC lower wholesale rates in the future.

BCE Inc. said in an intervention that doing so would introduce “significant and unnecessary uncertainty that harms the marketplace and ultimately consumers and the public interest.”

Apple announces new music streaming service

Apple Inc. announced Monday its new music streaming subscription service, called Apple Music.

The company said in a press release that the service will be available via an app to subscribers in more than 100 countries starting June 30 this year.

The release also detailed that the service will start with a three-month free membership, after which it will charge members $9.99 US per month. Details on local charges will be available closer to the launch date, said Tara Handela, PR manager Apple Canada, in an e-mail.

Bell Aliant opens new data centre in N.B.

BCE Inc.’s Bell Aliant announced Monday that its new data centre in Saint John, N.B. is now fully functional and open for business.

The new $25 million data centre met the Tier III certification from the Uptime Institute, which “requires that the engineering design and commissioning of the facility is executed to a specific standard,” said spokeswoman Katherine VanBuskirk in an e-mail. Only one out of 11 centres in Canada hold this “gold standard for data centres”, the release stated.

Netflix expanding to Italy, Portugal, Spain

Netflix Inc. announced it will be expanding its video-streaming services to Italy, Spain and Portugal.

The company announced in two separate press releases on Thursday and Saturday last week that it would be available in the three countries starting October 2015.

Service in Spain and Italy will offer subtitles and voice-over translation, and service in Portugal will offer only subtitles, the releases said.  

Cogeco acquires new U.S. company

Cogeco Cable Inc. announced Monday that its U.S. subsidiary Atlantic Broadband will acquire MetroCast Communications of Connecticut from parent company Harron Communications LP for $200 million US.

MetroCast Connecticut has a network that passes nearly 70,000 homes with TV, Internet and/or phone services, Cogeco said in a news release.

Shopify teams with Pinterest to create new sales platform

Ottawa-based e-commerce company Shopify on Tuesday said it has teamed with social networking website Pinterest to provide businesses a new way to sell things directly to online audiences.

Shopify said in a blog post it has worked with Pinterest to create "Buyable Pins" that include a button users can click to purchase products using credit cards or Apple Inc.'s Pay software.

Sports channels drive specialty-channel revenue boost: CRTC

In recent years, it has almost become conventional wisdom in the industry that sports content is a good way for broadcasters to buffer themselves from trends toward cord-cutting and online video, and CRTC numbers released Thursday seemed to back that up.

The regulator said in a press release that sports specialty channels, including BCE Inc.’s TSN and RDS and Rogers Communications Inc.’s Sportsnet, increased their revenues to $124.2 million in the 12-month period ending Aug. 31, up 13.6 per cent from a year earlier.

Radio Cancon rules could change: Blais

CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said Thursday that rules regarding Canadian content for radio stations might change to help stations compete in the digital age.

According to speaking notes for a presentation to the Western Association of Broadcasters in Banff, Alta., Blais discussed how younger people are shunning radio in favour of online music streaming.

"As they do, we regulators are finding — as we did with television — that broadcast quotas are becoming increasingly less effective," Blais said.

Time Warner Cable expands U.S. public WiFi

Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC), announced Thursday that its outdoor WiFi hotspot network will expand to three more cities in the U.S.

It said in a press release that the addition of Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, and Raleigh, N.C., will grow its WiFi network to nearly 100,000 hotspots. It also said the Cable WiFi network, which it operates in partnership with other service providers, is at about 400,000 hotspots.

TWC said the service is available for no extra charge to customers of certain tiers of its home Internet service.

Showtime streaming available for U.S. Apple customers next month

CBS Corp. said Wednesday that it will offer Showtime as an over-the-top (OTT) streaming service to customers of Apple Inc. in the United States, starting next month.

The launch will coincide with the premiere of two new seasons of Showtime’s hit shows Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex on July 12, CBS said in a press release.

CBS said the new service will be available on the Showtime app for iPhones, iPads and iPod Touches, as well as for Apple TV customers, for $10.99 US per month.

Shaw raising Internet, TV service rates

Shaw Communications Inc. says it will be increasing prices for residential Internet and television services to compensate for its own higher costs.

CRTC to hold public hearing to review CCTS

The CRTC said Thursday it will hold a public consultation to review the structure and mandate of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS).

The consultation will include a public hearing, which will begin on Nov. 3, the CRTC said in a press release. It said it will look into whether the CCTS should oversee the proposed TV-service provider code of conduct, and whether the cooperation with CCTS by all TV-service providers should be made mandatory.

BDUs say Shomi has not been made available

Some companies have disputed the notion put forward by Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. that their video-streaming service Shomi has been made available to other service providers.

‘Golden age of TV’ facing changes: panel

TORONTO — There has never have been a better time than now to be a consumer of television, it was said during a panel discussion Wednesday at the Canadian Telecom Summit, but it was also discussed how big changes are afoot, and those in the industry are facing uncertainty.

Peter Miller, chairman of Interactive Ontario, which promotes the digital-media content industry, spoke about how now is the “golden age of TV” because consumers have never before had the ability to access whatever they want, when they want.

Xplornet CEO calls for 100% Internet penetration by 2020

TORONTO — Different government branches have their own goals for how many Canadians should have certain Internet speeds by certain dates; Xplornet Communications Inc. CEO Allison Lenehan raised the ante on Wednesday.

During a keynote speech at the Canadian Telecom Summit, Lenehan said the goal of the government and the telecom industry should be to get 100 per cent of Canadians online with speeds of at least 100 Mbps by 2020.

Robert Blair appointed new Copyright Board chairman

Industry Canada announced Wednesday the new appointment of Robert Blair as the new chairman of the Copyright Board of Canada.

Blair was appointed to the Court of Appeal for Ontario in November 2003 and served for 12 years as a trial judge, Industry Canada said in a press release. He has presided over multiple matters with a particular focus on commercial cases, working out of Toronto, it added.

Canadian smartphone data to grow five times by 2020: Ericsson

The new Mobility Report published Wednesday by Ericsson predicted that Canadian smartphone data usage will grow five times between 2014 and 2020, the company said in a press release.

Ericsson said that average usage per smartphone user in North America will increase from 2.4 GB a month currently to 14 GB by 2020. Globally, it said smartphone subscriptions will more than double to 6.1 billion by 2020, accounting for 70 per cent of the world's population.

TekSavvy’s Abramson takes on incumbents at Telecom Summit

TORONTO — With a key decision from the CRTC on smaller service providers’ access to wireline telecommunications networks expected soon, three incumbents’ regulatory bosses took on their counterpart at TekSavvy Solutions Inc. over the issue at the Canadian Telecom Summit on Tuesday.

Wearable apps to multiply in coming years: IDC

The number of third-party applications for smart wearable devices is expected to surge from 2,500 last year to 349,000 by 2019, International Data Corp. said Tuesday.

The research company said in a news release that most of these apps will be consumer oriented, though there is an opportunity for apps in the enterprise space. It said apps targeted specifically for enterprise-related tasks currently make up about 10 per cent of what’s available for smart wearables, and that is anticipated to grow to 17 per cent over the next four years.

Netflix’ share of bandwidth usage grows, BitTorrent’s falls

In North America, Netflix Inc. now accounts for 36.5 per cent of peak period, downloaded network traffic, a new report from network management provider Sandvine Inc. said, up from 34.9 per cent recorded in a similar report six months ago.

Amazon Inc.’s over-the-top service, Amazon Instant Video, which accounts for 1.97 per cent of peak traffic, is “the leading paid OTT alternative video service in North America, without yet having a presence in Canada,” the report noted.

Google launches IoT platform

Google Inc. will launch a new Android-based platform that will allow companies to build connected devices, it said in a blog post Thursday.

Google said the platform, called Project Brillo, will include a communications protocol, called Weave, as well as “a set of developer APIs, a core set of schemas and a certification program to ensure device and app interoperability.” Brillo will launch later this year, it said.

Non-smartphone, mobile device sales on rise: Gartner

As demand to be connected to the Internet on non-smartphone mobile devices increases, so do the sales of such products, according to Gartner Inc.

The company said in a press release Friday that more than 112 million cellular-embedded mobile PCs, tablets and mobile hotspot devices will be sold worldwide in 2015, up 5.6 per cent from last year.

CRTC to review wholesale-Internet tariff process

The CRTC said Thursday that it will review the application process and methods for determining tariff rates for large cable and telephone providers selling wholesale high-speed Internet access.

The CRTC said it will review the way costs are calculated by providers of wholesale service, who are required to file applications for wholesale tariffs on speeds to match new categories launched for their own retail customers.

Tablet market to shrink this year: IDC

International Data Corp. said Thursday that worldwide shipments of tablets and 2-in-1 devices will decline in 2015.

It said in a press release that there will be an annual decline of 3.8 per cent from last year for 221.8 million units in 2015. That marks a downgrade from its previous forecast for 2.1 per cent growth.

Prepare for 5G, says Huawei Canada boss

The president of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.'s Canadian unit is calling for policy-makers, businesses and academics in Canada to come together and help prepare the country for the coming of 5G networking technology.

At a breakfast event hosted by the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning, Sean Yang was to call for the creation of a public policy group, comprised of various public- and private-sector players, to prepare Canada for this next stage in the evolution of communications technology.

Shomi stand-alone proposal could be financially feasible: analyst

At some point this summer, Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc.’s Shomi streaming service will be made available to customers of other TV and Internet service providers (ISPs), expanding its user base beyond Rogers and Shaw subscribers.

Shomi senior vice-president and general manager David Asch said Wednesday in a phone interview that Shomi would be available to all Canadians with an Internet connection on an over-the-top (OTT) basis.

Canadian IP traffic to triple by 2019: Cisco

Canada’s data usage over Internet protocol networks will triple by 2019 in comparison to what it was last year, according to Cisco Systems Inc.’s latest Visual Networking Index report that was released Wednesday.

Misgivings expressed over proposed TV-service code

A number of Canadian broadcast distributors have taken issue with aspects of the CRTC’s proposed code governing the relationship between TV providers and their customers, including the requirement that distributors must notify customers when a channel changes its terms of service.

In interventions that had to be filed by Monday, Telus Corp. called that notification proposal a “bizarre requirement,” adding that there is “no reciprocal requirement for channels to alert TVSPs [television service providers] of any programming changes.”

Social network users spending more time online: MTM

Anglophone Canadians who use social networks spend an average of about three hours more each week online than Internet users in general, according to a report released Wednesday.

Media Technology Monitor (MTM), a project of CBC/Radio-Canada, released data from a poll showing that 75 per cent of anglophone Canadians who use the Internet had visited a social networking site within the previous month. That was up from 71 per cent in 2013, and was as low as 18 per cent in 2006 before surging to 42 per cent in 2007, MTM said.

Smartphone market growth to slow this year: IDC

International Data Corp. said Tuesday that global smartphone shipments will rise 11.3 per cent in 2015, down from growth of 27.6 per cent last year.

That will result in about 1.45 billion smartphones shipped worldwide, IDC said in a press release. It noted that shipments to China are predicted to rise 2.5 per cent this year, marking the first time China's growth would trail global trends.

Charter announces deal to buy Timer Warner Cable

Charter Communications Inc. announced Tuesday it is acquiring Time Warner Cable Inc. for $78.7 billion US, including the assumption of debt.

At the same time, Charter Communications said in a press release that it is buying a majoriy Bright House Networks LLC for $10.4 billion US.

Charter CEO Tom Rutledge said in the release that the new union of the three companies will bring new and innovative ideas to create better products to benefit 23.9 million customers spanning 41 states across the United States.

Bell launches Fibe TV app

BCE Inc. on Tuesday announced the release of a new Fibe TV app, which it said will allow customers to access this TV service anywhere, at any time, on any screen. 

Quebec, Ontario request more funding for CBC

Quebec and Ontario are making the case to federal political parties for more financial support for CBC/Radio-Canada.

The offices of Jean-Marc Fournier, Quebec’s minister of Canadian intergovernmental affairs, and Madeleine Meilleur, Ontario’s minister of francophone affairs, said in a joint press release Monday that the NDP and Liberals accepted an invitation to a meeting held that day, and that Fournier presented them with observations from a report that was published last week.

Facebook launches Amber Alerts in Canada

Facebook Inc. said Monday that its users in Canada will receive Amber Alert notifications to help find missing children.

Amber Alert notifications will be sent to residents living in the area where the child is missing, Facebook said in press release. Notifications will include photos and details about the missing child, and users will be able to share this information. 

The application was created in collaboration with police authorities in different provinces across Canada to help expedite the search faster, Facebook said.

Tap streaming services to fund Canadian productions: CMPA

OTTAWA — Streaming video services like CraveTV and Shomi can and must be regulated as broadcasting entities in order to ensure funding for Canadian programming, the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) argued Friday.

Is illegal downloading declining in Canada?

Copyright-enforcement company CEG TEK International said recently that it’s seen a significant fall in the piracy of its clients’ content in Canada over the past few months, which it attributes to the inclusion of settlement demands in its copyright infringement notices.

CEG TEK was cited in a press release from a group called the Internet Security Task Force last week as saying peer-to-peer piracy of content owned by its 125 clients dropped among the five largest Internet service providers (ISPs) in Canada over the past 13 weeks.

CRTC to test broadband Internet quality

The CRTC on Thursday said it is seeking volunteers to have their home broadband Internet connections evaluated for the purpose of gathering evidence to guide policy and show Canadians how close Internet service providers come to delivering advertised speeds.

Spotify adds video content

Music streaming provider Spotify AB said Wednesday that it has added video to its offerings, along with several other features.

"We know there are times in the day you want to switch between music to catch up on the latest news, listen to your favourite podcast or simply watch something fun," Spotify said in blog post Wednesday. "And with a stellar range of entertainment to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Spotify will suggest video and audio shows for you to watch and learn what you love."

DHX announces global publishing deal for Twirlywoos

DHX Media Ltd. said Wednesday that it has reached a deal to license the global publishing rights to Twirlywoos, a TV show for preschoolers for which Halifax-based DHX produces, distributes and manages the marketing rights.

The company said in a press release that the licensing deal is with HarperCollins Publishers, which it said will produce physical and digital books based on the series, as well as audio products and gift items. DHX said the first products will be available in the United Kingdom and other areas will follow.

Government to exceed broadband connectivity goal

Industry Canada said Wednesday that it is set to surpass the goal the government set last year for connecting households in rural, remote and northern locations to broadband Internet.

The department said in a press release that, following a first round of partnership approvals with Internet service providers, it's poised to bring Internet speeds of at least 5 Mbps to 356,000 more homes. It said most of the work will take place by 2017.

Google taking self-driving cars to public roads

Google Inc. said Friday that the testing of its self-driving cars will move from its own track to public roads in its home base of Mountain View, Calif.

Google said in a blog post that cars on the public roads will not be able to drive faster than 25 miles per hour (40 km/h). Operators will be on board the vehicles to take over the controls if necessary.

CRTC consulting on 30-day notice ban for telecom services

The CRTC said Wednesday in a notice of consultation that it is looking for comments on its elimination of 30-day notice requirements for cancelling telecom services, which has been in effect since January.

Will our next piece of ID be digital?

Showing a piece of ID to prove who you are has remained, for the most part, one stubbornly analog interaction in our increasingly digital world.

That’s now starting to change, in countries like Estonia and even some Canadian provinces. While the establishment of digital identification is still in its infancy, groups are starting to advocate for such systems and watchdogs are keeping a close eye.

DHX revenue almost triples over 1 year

DHX Media Ltd. said Thursday that revenue for its third quarter ended March 31 almost tripled from a year earlier to $85.6 million from $29 million, thanks to a major acquisition and gains in its distribution and production businesses.

Rdio launches mid-tier subscription option

Music streaming service Rdio Inc. said Thursday it is introducing a new mid-level service option in several markets, including Canada, for $3.99 a month.

The company said in a press release that the new option, called Rdio Select, will be ad-free and allow users to access up to 25 new songs a day on demand. This service also allows for an unlimited number of skips, or advancing to another song before another is over.

News agencies to start publishing directly to Facebook

Facebook Inc. said Tuesday it has introduced a new feature to its mobile app that allows news and public affairs publishers to have content posted directly on Facebook feeds and appear 10 times faster than typically shared articles.

In a blog post on its website, Facebook product manager Michael Reckhow said most articles take an average of eight seconds to load on Facebook's mobile app, which is "by far the slowest single content type on Facebook."

David Asch new SVP of Shomi

Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. have named David Asch senior vice-president and general manager of their video-streaming service, Shomi.

The move is effective immediately, the companies said in a press release Tuesday, adding that Ach “will oversee day-to-day management, business strategy and growth plans for the streaming service.”

Asch was previously senior vice-president of content at U.S. DVD rental company Redbox Automated Retail LLC.

Verizon buying AOL for $4.4B US

Verizon Communications Inc. is buying AOL Inc. for an estimated $4.4 billion US, Verizon said in a press release Tuesday.

AOL will become a subsidiary of Verizon once the deal is completed, it added. Verizon noted AOL’s assets include its Internet subscribers, its portfolio of “content brands,” such as TechCrunch and the Huffington Post, its over-the-top “millennial-focused” original content and its “programmatic advertising platforms.”

Telus reports 5% decline in government info requests

Telus Corp., in its second annual transparency report, said the quantity of requests from government agencies for customer information fell 5.3 per cent to 97,938 in 2014.

Amazon launches online wearables store

Amazon.com Inc.'s Canadian unit on Monday announced the launch of an online shop for wearable technology.

MTS Allstream announces $100M contract with government

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc.'s Allstream unit on Monday announced a multi-year contact with the federal government it said is likely to be worth more than $100 million.

Allstream said in a press release that it was one of two companies chosen for a project called GCNet WAN Services - Stream 1, which will involve installing an Internet-protocol network for 43 government departments and agencies, including the RCMP, National Defence, the Canada Revenue Agency and Environment Canada.

Broadcasters, BDUs at odds over proposed wholesale code

While many broadcasters and TV providers expressed support for the CRTC’s proposed changes to its wholesale code, which governs carriage agreements for TV channels, they took differing positions on whether the code should be mandatory and whether it should ban minimum penetration and revenue guarantees.

CRTC approves new IPTV service from VMedia

The CRTC on Friday approved a new IPTV service from VMedia Inc., despite arguments from some interveners that the proposed service would be transmitted over the public Internet and should therefore not be licensed as a broadcast distributor.

CRTC allows PIAC complaint to proceed against Shomi

The CRTC will allow a complaint by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) against video-streaming service Shomi to proceed, despite requests from its owners that the matter be dropped.

Ciena announces new Ottawa campus

Ciena Corp. said Friday it is moving into a new campus in the west end of Ottawa on a property that was formerly used by BlackBerry Ltd.

Ciena, which is headquartered in Hanover, Md., said in a press release that employees will start moving into one building this year, and another two buildings will be constructed for occupancy in 2017. Together, they will form a 425,000-square-foot "centre of excellence," Ciena said.

One-fifth of Canadians considering cord-cutting: MTM

In the past three years, five per cent of Canadians have gotten rid of their TV service, Media Technology Monitor (MTM) said in a new report.

MTM, a project of CBC/Radio-Canada, reported that 16 per cent of Canadians currently do not have paid TV service, up from 12 per cent three years earlier. Seven per cent of those in the latest poll said they are are cord-nevers, or individuals who have never had traditional TV service.