Annotated guide on Deposit and Disconnection Code released

CCSA sued for wrongful dismissal after Townsend departure

The Canadian Cable Systems Alliance (CCSA) is facing a lawsuit from former president and CEO Alyson Townsend, who is accusing the organization of wrongful dismissal.

In a statement of claim filed in a New Brunswick court on June 30, Townsend is identified as the CCSA’s first employee, who incorporated the company in 1993. It now represents more than 115 independent cable, telephone and Internet television companies across the country.

Telus allowed to dismantle radio-phone service in B.C.

The CRTC has given Telus Corp. permission to get rid of its radio-phone service in British Columbia.

MTS shareholders back Bell acquisition

The shareholders of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. have nearly unanimously approved its acquisition by BCE Inc.

Of the just over 43 million votes cast, 99.66 per cent were in favour of the acquisition, according to a Thursday press release.

Wall prefers SaskTel sale over public offering: report

Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall told reporters he would rather sell Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. than take the company public and sell shares on the open market, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

Selling shares is what Manitoba did with Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. in the 1990s, the article noted.

Shaw readies for network enhancements with price hike

Shaw Communications Inc. will raise its rates starting Aug. 1, which will affect “select residential Internet, TV and phone plans,” the company said in a customer bulletin posted to its website.

CRTC considers regulations after lost telephone service case

The CRTC said it might consider preventative regulations after a dispute involving two phone service providers resulted in lost telephone service for 27,000 Canadian phone number holders.

Xplornet goes national with VoIP home phone service

Xplornet Communications Inc. said Tuesday it was introducing a new national home phone service, using voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) to reach rural Canadians.

The $20-per-month service is a “significantly lower cost compared to traditional landline service,” the company said in a press release.

Telus reports 911 call stats

Out of the more-than four million 911 calls sent across its wireless and wireline networks last year, Telus Corp. said 15 of them did not complete, the company disclosed.

Bell extends enterprise VoIP service to small business

BCE Inc.’s Total Connect VoIP service for enterprises is now available to small businesses in Ontario and Quebec.

The company said Tuesday that previously, only large businesses and government enterprises could sign up for the service, which offers a “suite of advanced messaging and unified communications services on Canada's largest broadband fibre and mobile LTE networks.”

Experts say approval of Bell’s MTS acquisition likely

BCE Inc. announced Monday morning that it will purchase Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. in a $3.9 billion transaction that, if approved, will see the number of players in Manitoba’s telecom market fall from four to three.

Rogers customer complaints down by 65%: CCTS

Rogers Communications Inc. experienced a nearly 65-per-cent drop in complaints accepted by the Commissioner of Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS), according to the commissioner's mid-year report.

Released Wednesday morning, the report said Rogers was the subject of 437 complaints during the six-month period of Aug. 1, 2015 to Jan. 31, 2016, down from 1,240 complaints during the same period a year earlier.

Service restored to NetTalk customers through Primus

NetTalk.com Inc. announced Wednesday evening that its VoIP service has been restored to all its customers in Canada.

Dependence on landline-phone services put Primus in creditor protection: CEO

Too much reliance on landline-phone-service revenue, combined with a heavy debt load, has resulted in Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc. being placed in creditor protection and awaiting court approval of a sale to a U.S.-based service provider, according to its CEO.

On Tuesday, Primus applied for and was granted protection by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act. 

CRTC working to resolve Iristel, NetTalk connection issue

Iristel Inc., a Markham, Ont.- based telecom company, announced Tuesday it is working with the CRTC to resolve an ongoing dispute with Florida-based VoIP provider NetTalk.com Inc., in order to reinstate connections to customers who have been disconnected from their VoIP service.

Telecoms to feel economic headwinds: analyst

Barclays Capital analyst Phillip Huang said Monday that providers of telecommunications services in Canada will feel the effects of the struggling economy.

He said in a research note that most of repercussions from things such as the collapsing price of oil will be seen in services provided to business customers, as opposed to the consumer market where Internet and wireless services have become "more utility than discretionary."   

CRTC asks public for input on basic telecom services

The CRTC is asking Canadians what telecom services they need, as part of the second phase of its proceeding on basic telecom services.

Nokia gains control of Alcatel-Lucent

Nokia Corp. said Monday that it has won control of telecom-equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent SA with almost 80 per cent of the company's outstanding shares tendered in response to Nokia's acquisition offer.

Nokia said in a press release that this figure was based on results published by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, France's stock-market regulator, and that it had "declared the offer successful."

Ericsson renews contract with Eastlink for 3 years

Ericsson AB announced Thursday that it has renewed its agreement with Eastlink to expand and upgrade its LTE and HSPA networks, as well as continue to be the exclusive supplier for radio access network equipment for another three years.

It said in the press release that the renewed agreement will allow Eastlink to provide its customers with a suite of services that will include bundling options with TV, Internet and landline phone services.

Cogeco appoints Daniel Boisvert, Antoine Shiu, to exec positions

Cogeco Cable Inc.’s Canadian cable division has appointed Daniel Boisvert as vice-president of marketing and innovation, and Antoine Shiu as vice-president of business solutions sales, it said in a press release Monday.

Cogeco said in the release that Boisvert will provide leadership on rolling out products and services, as well as being in charge of launching a “new brand expression,” for Cogeco Cable Canada in the Ontario and Quebec regions.

Future CraveTV prices unclear for non-Bell customers

Subscribers to BCE Inc.’s TV services will pay more for CraveTV starting in February, though the company isn’t saying how much customers who get the streaming service through other TV-service providers, or those planning to get the service independently over the Internet, will pay.

Nokia shareholders approve Alcatel-Lucent acquisition

Nokia Corp. said Wednesday that its shareholders have approved the company's proposed acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent SA.

Nokia said in a press release that it has also received all necessary regulatory approvals earlier than expected and that the transaction is expected to close within the first three months of 2016.

"We are delighted that the vast majority of Nokia's shareholders recognize the long-term value creation opportunity that this proposed combination represents," Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri said in the release.

Forbes downplays potential MTS selloff after Allstream deal

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. CEO Jay Forbes on Monday downplayed the likelihood that the whole company could be sold in the wake of a deal to unload its business communications division, Allstream.

MTS announced Monday that it has an agreement in place to sell Allstream to Boulder, Colo.-based Zayo Group Holdings Inc. for $465 million in cash.

3Macs telecom analyst Troy Crandall said the deal is positive for MTS, as Allstream has been "an albatross around the neck of Manitoba Tel every since it was acquired."

IPTV, Netflix adoption lower in Ontario: MTM

Ontario residents are not moving as fast toward newer ways of getting TV content, such as IPTV and Netflix, as other parts of the Canada, according to newly released figures.

CCTS shouldn’t be consumer advocate: Bell

Officials from BCE Inc. told a CRTC panel Friday that the mandate of the Commission for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) shouldn’t be expanded to allow it to become a consumer advocacy body.

MTS revenue, profits down in Q3

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. on Wednesday reported lower revenue and profits compared to a year earlier.

It said in a press release that revenue was down one per cent to $398.4 million for the three months ended Sept. 30. Net earnings came in at $26.7 million, down from $36.8 million one year earlier.

MTS said revenue was down due to declines in wireless-voice and long-distance revenue, partially offset by gains in wireless-data, Internet, "information solutions" and IPTV revenues.

CCTS asks CRTC to keep membership mandatory for telecoms

Representatives from the Commission for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) told the CRTC Tuesday that making telecom companies' participation in the CCTS voluntary would affect the independence and effectiveness of the commission.

Connectivity beats content in telecom/media sector: report

The notion that "content is king" is challenged in a new report that points out that connectivity services take in significantly more revenue than content providers in Canada and have seen more growth in recent decades.

CRTC creates online public forum as part of CCTS review

The CRTC announced Monday it has created an online public forum as part of its review of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) and is inviting Canadians to participate in it.

Cogeco financials show big gains in U.S.

Cogeco Cable Inc. reported higher revenue and profit numbers this week, with its U.S. operations bringing in substantially more money as it benefited from a favourable trend in the U.S.-dollar exchange rate.

The company said in a press release late Wednesday that revenue in its fourth fiscal quarter, which ended Aug. 31, was $520.4 million, up 6.2 per cent from a year earlier. It said it realized a profit of $78 million during that period, up from $63.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Telecom-revenue growth trails consumer-spending increase: CRTC

Revenue from telecommunications services in Canada grew 2.4 per cent in 2014, the CRTC said Tuesday, falling short of the six per cent hike in average spending on communications services that year.

In the second part of its annual communications monitoring report, the CRTC said telecommunications services revenue was in 2014 was $45.9 billion, up from $44.8 billion in 2013.

Spending on wireless services up 14% last year: CRTC

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

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

Bell Media ranks shaken up further

BCE Inc.'s Bell Media has parted ways with more senior employees, a spokesman confirmed Friday.

Bell Media's Scott Henderson said in an email: "I can confirm there have been some director-level departures at Bell Media locations in Toronto, Montreal and local stations across the country. There were also promotions and expanded roles for other leaders. It's part of our ongoing restructuring exercise to ensure Bell Media remains the leader in a fast-changing industry.”

MTS seen as acquisition target for Bell

A stock market analyst has speculated that an acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. by BCE Inc. is likely next year.

A research note Wednesday from TD Securities analyst Vince Valentini said that with MTS set to sell off its Allstream division in the coming months, “we believe that the stage will be set for a sale of the remaining Manitoba operations to one of the larger telcos in Canada by mid-2016.”

Bell Aliant jobs being outsourced to India: union

Jobs with BCE Inc.’s Bell Aliant operations in Atlantic Canada are being outsourced to India despite a commitment from Bell when it took full control of Aliant's operations last year to protect these jobs, according to a union representing workers there.

Oil decline could affect Shaw, Telus: analyst

The plunge in oil prices could end up hurting telecommunications service providers like Shaw Communications Inc. and Telus Corp., which have a high proportion of their business operations in Alberta, according to a Bay Street analyst.

Ontera approved for higher subsidies

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

Gerry Vanderpost joins Distributel as CFO

Distributel Communications Ltd. on Thursday announced that it has hired Gerry Vanderpost as its chief financial officer.

Vanderpost had been vice-president of financial at Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc., and joined Distributel earlier this month, the company said in a press release.

Bell sells stake in Globe and Mail

BCE Inc. said Friday that it has sold its 15 per cent stake in the Globe and Mail newspaper.

It said in a press release it has sold its newspaper stake to Woodbridge Co. Ltd., an investment company run by the Thomson family, which is the majority owner of the Globe.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Bell says non-refundable monthly payments are OK

BCE Inc. says in a filing with the CRTC that it is not violating regulations by requiring customers to pay for various services by the month in advance and not providing partial refunds if subscriptions are ended before the paid-for period is finished.

Data revenue bolsters Telus numbers

Telus Corp. on Friday reported a 5.1 per cent year-to-year revenue gain in its second quarter, boosted by more data-generated cash from both its wireless and wireline operations.

Bell gigabit service to launch Monday

BCE Inc. said Thursday that its gigabit Internet service will launch Monday for 1.3 million households in Ontario and Quebec.

It added that it will be available to households in Atlantic Canada by the end of September, resulting in availability to 2.2 million households by the end of this year.

Bell denied application to stop Fibernetics payments

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

Cogeco Cable earnings boosted by U.S. operations

Cogeco Cable Inc. reported higher third-quarter earnings on Tuesday, attributing gains largely to its U.S. operations, which benefited from favourable terms when translating U.S. dollars to Canadian.

The company said in a press release that it had revenue of $516.4 million for the three months, which ended May 31, up four per cent from a year earlier. Its quarterly profit was $64.1 million, up from $35.5 million in the same period a year before.

Telus sells Blacks website

Telus Corp. said Tuesday that it has reached an agreement to sell the website of the Blacks photography retail operation to Montreal-based photo finishing company Les Pros de la Photo.

It said in an emailed statement the sale will close on Aug. 4, at which time the purchasing company will do business as Blacks.ca.

"The timing of this sale ensures our customers will be able to continue using the site and app without interruption to order the same quality products they’ve come to expect from Blacks," Telus said.

Wireless price hikes affecting other telecom spending: report

“Sharp” price hikes in wireless service over the past year are prompting people to reduce how much they spend on other telecommunications services, according to a Conference Board of Canada report released Thursday, though some analysts say they wouldn’t necessarily draw the same conclusion.

The Conference Board said in a press release that the cost of telecom services, along with “changing consumption habits and a slower economy, will cause Canadian consumers to reassess their telecommunications spending in 2015."

Bell overcharging departing customers, says Quebecor

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

‘Arbitrary’ limits in Industry Canada transparency guidelines: critics

Industry Canada’s new guidelines for transparency reports released by telecom companies put unnecessary limits on how information should be reported, according to two academics with expertise in privacy and surveillance.

“There is no general legal impediment to making these reports, which means the government shouldn’t be imposing any ad hoc restrictions,” Tamir Israel, a lawyer with the Samuel-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC), said in a phone interview.

CRTC revises third-party phone billing practices

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

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

Kelvin Shepherd stepping down from MTS

Kelvin Shepherd is retiring as president of Manitoba Telecom Service Inc., paving the way for Jay Forbes to take on the roles of both chief executive and president, the company said Monday.

Shaw writes off $55M on abandoned IPTV project

Shaw Communications Inc. on Thursday reported a decline in its quarterly income with much of the drop attributed to a $55-million write-down taken on an abandoned IPTV project.

Shaw said in a press release that it started work in 2013 on an "end-to-end IPTV solution," and then "paused" late last year to review the platform under development and assess other options. Ultimately, it decided to discard the work that had been done. The net effect of the writeoff amounted to $41 million after tax, Shaw said.

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.

PIAC asks CRTC to expand boundaries for number portability

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has filed an application with the CRTC asking that boundaries be expanded for which customers can transport their existing phone numbers.

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.

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.

Birch Hill invests in Sigma Systems

Sigma Systems announced Monday that it has received a major investment from Birch Hill Private Equity Partners Management Inc.

Sigma, which provides subscriber-management software, said in a press release said the new partnership between Sigma and Birch Hill will significantly improve product development plans and create advanced solutions for their customers. 

Cogeco unveils new business-phone plans

Cogeco Cable Inc. announced Wednesday a series of a new business phone plans for its fibre-services customers.

The new service will provide customers with lower costs, better productivity and "scalability" to meet future needs, said the company in a press release.

Cogeco listed three different plans — hosted PBX Fibre, SIP trunking and PRI replacement — all of which cost $29.95 per month for each "seat" or "channel."

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.

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.

Telus wireless operations drive higher Q1 results

Telus Corp. on Thursday reported higher profits and earnings from the year's first quarter, largely on the strength of its wireless business.

The company said in a press release its quarterly profit was $415 million, up from $377 million a year earlier. It said revenue grew 4.6 per cent to $3.03 billion.

MTS chops operations at Allstream

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. said Thursday that, following a strategic review, it will make cuts to staff and capital spending at its Allstream division.

MTS's Allstream, which provides business communications services across the country, will cut 25 per cent of its staff, MTS said in a press release. That includes 100 people who left the company immediately and 400 more who have been notified their jobs are ending over the next year or so. It also said it will cut capital spending at Allstream by 20 to 30 per cent.

Nadir Mohamed to lead venture-capital fund

Former Rogers Communications Inc. CEO Nadir Mohamed will lead a new venture-capital fund created by the Ontario government, the office of Premier Kathleen Wynne said on Monday.

Mohamed will lead a council of about 30 business leaders and entrepreneurs tasked with managing Scale Up Ventures, a $50-million fund for startup companies that "have shown initial market success and that demonstrate strong growth potential," the premier's office said in a press release.

Rogers revenue up, helped by NHL contract

Rogers Communications Inc. on Monday reported a 5.1 per cent annual gain in revenue for the first quarter, driven largely by a 26 per cent jump in its media division that benefited from Rogers' exclusive national rights to NHL hockey broadcasts.

Small Toronto ISP to provide fibre link for Pan Am athletes

Athletes from across two continents competing in the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto this summer will be able to connect with family and friends back home via high-speed fibre Internet connections provided by Beanfield Technologies Inc.

The company, the official communications services supplier for the games, has a fibre network in downtown Toronto that links commercial and residential buildings all along the waterfront to the Internet at speeds of 100 Mbps and more.

Bell to make targeted ad program ‘opt-in,’ PIAC still fighting it

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre said it will not drop a CRTC complaint against BCE Inc.’s targeted ad program, despite the company’s plans to re-launch the program according to specifications issued by the federal privacy commissioner.

Report shows 95,000 TV cord-cutters last year

Convergence Consulting Group Ltd. says in a new report that Canada lost 95,000 TV subscribers in 2014, the second year of decline, while TV subscriber revenue continued to grow.

A summary of the report posted to the Convergence website said TV providers saw subscription revenue of $9.1 billion in 2014, up two per cent from the previous year.

SaskTel plans $313M in capital spending this year

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. said Thursday it plans to make about $313 million in capital expenditures in its home province this year, including $177 million on what it calls its "core Saskatchewan network."

Some of the priorities SaskTel highlighted in a press release included spending $45 million on its fibre-to-the-premises network, $37.8 million on upgrades to its wireless network and $79.9 million for "basis network growth and other enhancements."

Telecom customer info sought in most criminal investigations: report

Police ask telecommunications service providers for information about their customers in the vast majority of criminal investigations, said an online report by CBC on Friday.

"Canadian police estimate that at least one form of lawful access request is made by government agencies to TSPs [telecom service providers] in about 80-95 per cent of all investigations today," said Sept. 26 memo to Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney, obtained through an access-to-information request, according to the article.

CRTC to consider whether broadband should be basic service

The CRTC announced Thursday that it will re-examine the definition and role of so-called basic services, paving the way for potential changes to the offerings telecom companies are mandated to make available to every Canadian.

DiversityCanada refused costs on multiple applications

Three different CRTC decisions issued on Thursday left the DiversityCanada Foundation more than $70,000 short of what it hoped to get out of applications for reimbursements on initiatives taken in commission proceedings.

Cogeco boosts revenue as TV subs continue decline

Cogeco Cable Inc. reported late Wednesday a decline in profit for its second fiscal quarter, a gain in revenue and fewer TV subscribers.

It said in a press release that its profit was $58.9 million for the three months ended Feb. 28 this year, down from $60.4 million a year earlier. It attributed the decline to depreciation, amortization, financing expenses and income taxes.

Jury out on Bell plans for targeted advertising: OPC

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner said it had a meeting with officials from BCE Inc. on Wednesday, and it is keeping its legal options open despite Bell's expressed willingness to follow its direction.

Tobi Cohen, spokeswoman for the privacy commissioner's office, said in an email Wednesday that a meeting was held with Bell and "we are not yet in a position where we can confirm that our concerns have been satisfied."

Bell looks to avoid legal showdown with privacy commish

Faced with a possible legal fight against another agency of the federal government, BCE Inc. on Tuesday backed down after the Office of the Privacy Commissioner said the company refused to require customers to provide explicit consent before tracking their telecommunications habits in order to sell marketing profiles to third-party advertisers.

Ontera looking for higher subsidies

BCE Inc.-owned Ontera, formerly a provincial-government-owned telecom operation in northern Ontario, has applied to the CRTC for higher subsidies under established practices for providers serving high-cost areas.

CCTS reports fewer complaints, more wireless code breaches

While overall complaints about telecommunications services have continued to decline, according the first-ever mid-year report from the Commissioner of Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS), confirmed breaches of the wireless code have increased exponentially.

PIAC calls for affordability standards in telecom

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) released a report on Monday that calls on Canada to legislate the requirement that all Canadians have access to "affordable" telecommunications services.

PIAC said in its report that affordability should be defined in such a way that people can afford telecommunications without having to give up other essentials, such as heat or food.

Quebecor reports Q4 loss, major gains in wireless

Quebecor Inc. on Wednesday reported a net loss for the fourth quarter resulting largely from non-operational factors, while indicating major gains in its wireless operations' revenue and subscriber base.

MTS lobbies senior federal officials

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. CEO Jay Forbes met with three cabinet ministers and the head of Canada’s telecommunications regulatory body over the last five weeks, according the federal lobbying registry.

MTS chief executive Jay Forbes communicated with Finance Minister Joe Oliver on March 3, CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais on Feb. 18, Industry Minister James Moore on Feb. 17, as well as Winnipeg MP and Heritage Minister Shelly Glover on Feb. 6, according to the registry.

CRTC cuts Northwestel Internet prices, will launch basic-services proceeding

The CRTC on Wednesday ordered BCE Inc.’s Northwestel Inc. to lower its Internet prices for new and existing customers to address the “disparity” between the cost of Internet in the North and the rest of Canada.

Telus profits up on higher data revenues

Telus Corp.’s fourth-quarter profits rose 7.6 per cent from a year earlier as the company reported a double-digit jump in data revenue from its wireless and wireline customers.

According to the company’s latest financial report, released Thursday, net income rose to $312 million on revenue of $3.13 billion in the fourth quarter, up from a profit of $290 million on revenue of $2.95 billion of in the same period a year earlier.

Canadian tech company to help carriers implement VoLTE

Sandvine Inc., a Canadian company that provides software to telecommunications service providers around the world, said Wednesday that it has added capabilities enabling it to help carriers offer voice services on both LTE and WiFi networks.

Ont. municipality still interested in Eastlink buyout: report

The Municipality of Kincardine in southwestern Ontario is interested revisiting the issue of selling publicly owned Bruce Telecom to Eastlink-owner Bragg Communications Inc., according to a news report, despite a potential deal last year that was called off after the Competition Bureau raised concern.

Bell reports surge in wireless data usage

BCE Inc.’s net earnings the fourth quarter grew slightly compared to a year earlier, though its wireless revenue gained by a wider margin largely on increased data usage.

Bell's reported in a press release that revenue rose 2.7 per cent from a year earlier to $5.53 billion. Net earnings were $594 million, up from $593 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

MTS reports lower Q4 revenue as wholesale wireless declines

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. on Wednesday reported lower revenue for the fourth quarter of last year, though unlike the year-earlier period, it was profitable.

The company said in a press release that revenue was down less than one per cent from the year before to $404.8 million in the three months ended Dec. 31. It reported net earnings of $24.2 million for the quarter, compared to a loss of $87.9 million a year before.

VMedia now offering triple-play bundles in Ontario

VMedia Inc. said Wednesday it has become the first independent telecommunications service provider to offer a triple-play bundle of television, Internet and home-phone service in Ontario.

The company said its packages start at $69.85 a month for DSL Internet with 6-Mbps download speeds, more than 50 channels of mostly high-definition TV and unlimited Canada-wide calling.

CRTC says public proceeding on new powers to levy fines not ‘appropriate’

A public proceeding regarding new CRTC powers to impose monetary penalties on telecommunications companies would “not be appropriate,” given “the fact that further guidance will be provided in the coming weeks,” the commission said in a letter to Telus Corp.

Business market growth elusive for some telecoms

Canadian telecommunications providers are looking to the business market to pick up the slack from the increasingly competitive consumer space, yet financial data from the incumbent service providers shows, in the opinion of one analyst, that competing in that low-margin segment is a challenge.

Macquarie Capital Markets analyst Greg MacDonald said that entering the business market as a new competitor would be "very, very difficult" but that there could be opportunities in serving small businesses.

CRTC gives SaskTel pass on flood-related problems

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp.'s network problems following floods in the company's home province last summer will not result in it owing rebates to companies like BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. that rely on its network, the CRTC said Friday.