Facebook beefs up lobbying squad

Facebook Inc. is increasing its government relations presence in Ottawa, with three new registrations filed with the lobbying commissioner’s office last month.

According to the federal lobbyists’ registry, the social media giant has contracted the services of U.K.-based consulting firm AA Access Partnership Ltd., bringing the number of consultants registered to lobby on behalf of Facebook to nine.

Court dismisses appeal of set-top box sales ban

MONTREAL — The Federal Court of Appeal dismissed Monday a challenge to an injunction on the sale of pre-loaded set-top boxes.

“In our view, in light of the uncontradicted evidence, including the advertisement that these pre-loaded set-top boxes are a way to access free TV content and avoid cable bills, the Federal Court was entitled to draw the inferences that it did,” Justice Johanne Gauthier said in her decision.

Are provinces filling the federal broadband strategy gap?

Nova Scotia may not be formulating its provincial broadband plan as a direct response to federal inaction, but that doesn’t mean the provincial government isn’t acting out of a need to fill a void affecting its residents.

“It’s like a lot of things in that the provincial government is closer to the people than the federal government is, in certain respects,” David MacNeil, senior advisor in the Nova Scotia department of business, said in a phone interview.

Rogers launches social-media cyber security tool

Rogers Communications Inc. has rolled out a security tool aimed at helping businesses safeguard their social media accounts, the company said in a Wednesday press release.

Social Media Security “monitors, identifies and takes fast action against potential threats or hacks to profiles on a business' social media channels,” in partnership with U.S.-based social-media security company ZeroFox, the release said.

Proposal would give Bell ‘significant and asymmetric powers’: small ISPs

The CRTC should deny a proposal by BCE Inc. for a new regime governing traffic pumping that would allow telecoms to unilaterally put in place penalties that “inflict substantial harm” on other telecom providers, the Canadian Network Operators’ Consortium (CNOC) said.

Telecoms bond over stirring proposals to shake up call spoofing

Technologies identified by the CRTC as potential tools to combat spoofed and nuisance calls have promise, but barriers to their deployment mean they’re not likely to be put in place any time soon, companies told the regulator.

John Boynton to helm Torstar

Former Rogers Communications Inc. senior official John Boynton is the new president and CEO of Torstar and publisher of its Toronto Star newspaper, the company announced Friday.

As of March 31, Boynton replaces the retiring David Holland and will become the 125-year-old paper’s 10th publisher, Torstar said in a press release.

CRTC rules against Sugar Mobile in roaming dispute with Rogers

Rogers Communications Inc. doesn’t have to provide roaming services to Iristel Inc.’s mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Sugar Mobile, the CRTC said Wednesday in a move that closes the door on mandating access by MVNOs to wireless carriers’ networks.

Hub for Canadian radio launches

More than 400 Canadian radio stations across the country are now available on a newly launched app featuring both public and private broadcasters.

The free Radioplayer app launched Wednesday “gives radio listeners access to nearly every style of music, news, talk, and entertainment content, in both official languages, on any connected device, at any time of day, from anywhere,” a press release said.

Cost appeals filed by both parties in Voltage reverse class action

Appellant Voltage Pictures LLC is asking the Federal Court of Appeal to reverse a decision it made earlier this month forcing it to pay the court costs for the respondent if he wins his case, in a reverse class action case that has yet to be certified.

Patent infringement claim made against Shaw’s BlueSky TV

A Swiss corporation and two of its subsidiaries are alleging that Shaw Communications Inc.’s new IPTV service is infringing on a handful of its patents, according to a statement of claim filed in federal court Friday.

Less government interference not positive for Shaw: Barclays

Greater flexibility allowed by the federal government for market forces to shape the wireless industry would benefit most of the big players but negatively affect Shaw Communications Inc.'s Freedom Mobile, according to Barclays Capital analyst Phillip Huang.

CBC ‘dimmer star’ in media landscape, conservative event hears

OTTAWA — When talking about CBC/Radio-Canada’s role in the media landscape, the public broadcaster is a “pygmy amongst giants,” and more focus should be aimed at large telecom companies, Dwayne Winseck argued Saturday during a debate about whether to “pull the plug” on the CBC.

Connected for Success reaches 13,000 households

More than 13,000 Canadian households have signed up for Rogers Communications Inc.’s Internet service for low-income housing residents, the company said Friday, in announcing a new community housing partner in Ottawa.

Don’t divorce handset, service pricing: wireless providers

GATINEAU, Que. — Changing the rules so that the cost of a wireless device is divorced from a monthly service payment on a customer’s bill would take a considerable amount of work to implement, a CRTC panel heard Tuesday as the regulator continued its review of the three-year-old Wireless Code.

Bell asks CRTC for ‘holistic’ rules on traffic pumping

BCE Inc. wants the CRTC to implement new rules governing traffic pumping, which would put the onus on any telecom accused of artificially inflating traffic to prove they’re not engaged in the practice.

“Much like in the United States, our proposed solution has the benefit of shifting the burden to the person who knows best why traffic is increasing and allows them to justify the increase,” Bell said in a Part 1 application filed Monday.

Defence costs at issue in Voltage reverse class action case

OTTAWA — Lawyers representing a defendant in a reverse class action case over a copyright infringement claim are asking a federal court judge to give their client an opportunity to recover costs from the plaintiff if he's successful in his defence. 

Telecoms to challenge Calgary bylaw in court

BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc., Telus Corp., and Zayo Group Holdings Inc. plan to challenge the constitutional validity of Calgary’s municipal rights-of-way bylaw.

75% of anglophones subscribe to TV service: MTM

New data shows that the number of anglophone Canadians with TV subscriptions has continued to fall, reaching 75 per cent in the fall of 2016 — a 14-per-cent decline over the past five years.

That number is down two per cent from a year earlier, according to a report released Tuesday by Media Technology Monitor (MTM), a project of CBC/Radio-Canada.

The report also showed technologies like streaming, wearable devices and 4K are growing.

Trump raising concerns about Internet traffic passing U.S.: advocates

In November 2016, a group of Internet experts met in Toronto to discuss how to address the issue of Canadian Internet traffic travelling to the United States, which some say raises data privacy concerns that have now been amplified with the election of U.S. president Donald Trump.

Canadian tech, telecom community offers support in wake of U.S. travel ban

More than 1,700 people representing a variety of tech and telecom companies have signed on to an open letter opposing U.S. President Donald Trump’s weekend executive order blocking entry of citizens from seven countries and all refugees into the United States.

Natale to take Rogers’ top job in July: interim CEO

Rogers Communications Inc. incoming president and CEO Joe Natale will take the helm in July, the company announced as it reported fourth-quarter numbers that showed continuing growth in data usage among its wireless customers.

Big three show similar wireless performance: OpenSignal

A new report has found that BCE Inc., Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc. are essentially tied when it comes to the performance of their wireless networks, concluding that the big three “all have more in common than not.”

Thursday’s report from OpenSignal said that all three “are fast and offer excellent access to LTE signals to the point that no single operator dominated any of OpenSignal’s metrics.”

Sarah Schmidt joins Rogers as media relations director

Sarah Schmidt is leaving the Broadbent Institute to become the director of media relations and issues management at Rogers Communications Inc., according to a Monday report by The Hill Times.   

Schmidt was the Institute's director of communications after starting as the editor of its PressProgress project in 2013, according to the Institute’s website.

Ken Engelhart joins consulting firm

Former Rogers Communications Inc. regulatory chief Ken Engelhart is joining StrategyCorp, the consulting company announced.

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.

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.

Court dismisses dispute over hydro pole pricing

A panel of Ontario Divisional Court judges has dismissed an application from a group of telecom companies disputing the Ontario Energy Board’s handling of setting new rates for attaching communications equipment to hydro poles in Ottawa.

In a Dec. 14 decision, judges Anne Molloy, Michael Dambrot and Michael Varpio sided with the Ontario Energy Board and Hydro Ottawa, which last year raised its pole attachment rate from the 2005 price of $22.35 per pole per year to $53. The new rates came into effect on Jan. 1.

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.

Rogers expands availability of Roam Like Home

Rogers Communications Inc. has made its Roam Like Home plan available to “most customers on a consumer plan,” the company said Monday.

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.

Rogers killing of in-house IPTV good move in long term, analysts say

Rogers Communications Inc. has abandoned the development of its own IPTV platform and will instead launch an IPTV service using a platform from Comcast Corp., a plan analysts said Friday would benefit BCE Inc. in the short term but is a good decision for Rogers down the road.

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.

Iristel says traffic stimulation accusation “rests on false speculation”

Iristel Inc. has responded to a Part 1 application by Rogers Communications Inc. accusing it of “traffic stimulation,” stating that “the entire factual basis for underlying the Application rests on false speculation.”

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

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

Public consultation before closing TV stations unwarranted: Bell, Rogers

GATINEAU, Que. — CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais floated the idea that the commission should require a public consultation before a broadcaster closes a TV station during the last day of its hearing on English-language TV licence renewals.  

Pick-and-pay still has many ‘pitfalls’ for consumers: PIAC

As the CRTC’s rules requiring all TV providers to allow customers to sign up for channels individually came into effect Thursday, the regulator emphasized that consumers have to take responsibility to ensure they’re getting a good deal — a process the head of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) said is a significant amount of work for the average person.

PIAC executive director John Lawford said in a phone interview “there’s a lot of pitfalls if you don’t, quote-unquote, do it right, and all the work is up to you.”

Companies launching pick-and-pay ahead of new rules

Rogers Communications Inc. and Cogeco Inc. have introduced their line-up of stand-alone TV channels a day ahead of the CRTC’s deadline requiring them to do so.

The cost for individual channels with Rogers mostly ranges from $4 to $7 for English-language specialty channels to $18 for sports and some international channels, according to its website.

Cogeco’s stand-alone channels are priced at between $3.50 and $6 for English specialty channels and up to about $12 to $15 for sports, its website specifies.

News, video games, VR should be eligible for CanCon funding: Rogers

Rogers Communications Inc. is proposing a tax credit-based federal program to support Canadian content of all types and on all platforms.

‘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.

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.  

Rogers accuses Iristel of ‘traffic stimulation’

Rogers Communications Inc. is turning to the CRTC in another dispute with Iristel Inc., which it’s accusing of deliberately driving up the volume of phone calls to the Northwest Territories in order to benefit from a “windfall profit” due to the area’s high traffic termination rates.

Skinny basic best practices not enough to ‘scare’ BDUs: PIAC

The best practices for TV service providers offering skinny-basic cable packages announced by the CRTC Monday don’t amount to much more than lip service, with no real consequences for providers who don’t align themselves with the regulator’s preferred behaviour, according to a consumer advocate.

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.

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.”

Rogers debuts tool to track technician arrival time

Rogers Communications Inc. has introduced a new feature that will give customers a better idea of what time technicians are expected to arrive at their homes.

Customers will be able to use their phones to track when a technician will arrive for an installation or service call, the company announced in a Monday press release, saying the service is the first of its kind.

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.

CRTC calls for radio licence applications for Hamilton-Niagara

Two communities in Ontario’s Hamilton-Niagara region can handle “at least” one radio station, the CRTC said as it issued a call for applications Thursday.

The announcement follows a January application filed by Dufferin Communications Inc. to serve Grimsby and Beamsville, Ont., with a commercial radio station.

Create new government agency for CanCon: report

The creation of a new federal agency to handle government funding for Canadian content could help the heritage minister’s goal of boosting exports of domestic cultural products, according to a report sponsored by Rogers Communications Inc.

CRTC should be flexible with zero-rating: Rogers

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

Wind won’t be as disruptive as T-Mobile, Krstajic says

Shaw Communications Inc. reported revenues of $1.31 billion for the three months ended Aug. 31, an increase from $1.13 billion from the same quarter a year earlier, due to the addition of wireless revenues following its acquisition of Wind Mobile.

Digital literacy pilot program launching in Toronto

Rogers Communications Inc. is funding a new digital literacy program offered by ABC Life Literacy Canada in Toronto.

The non-profit said in a press release Monday that the pilot program will offer a series of three-hour sessions aimed at adults from “in-need communities” and will begin in November.

Wireless industry needs ‘stick’ to boost rural coverage: MP

OTTAWA — While traditionally, government funding has been directed to boost fixed Internet service, perhaps there should be some public assistance for improving wireless coverage, a member of Parliament mused Thursday as the Canadian Wireless Telecommunication Association (CWTA) appeared in front of parliamentarians.

Telcos unlikely to fully deploy FTTH: Desjardins

High fibre costs and advancements in technology are among the reasons Canadian telcos are unlikely to expand their fibre-to-the-home [FTTH] footprint beyond 60 per cent coverage, according to Desjardins Capital Markets. 

Blais can name panels: Federal Court of Appeal

TORONTO — A panel of Federal Court of Appeal justices dismissed an application from former CRTC commissioner Raj Shoan challenging the authority of chairman Jean-Pierre Blais to name commissioners to panels.

AT&T, Time Warner deal shows VI trending in opposite directions: analyst

A potential merger between AT&T Inc. and Time Warner Cable Inc. highlights a move by United States-based companies toward vertical integration, just as developments in Canada suggest the opposite is happening north of the border, according to an analyst.

“While the U.S. is becoming more vertically integrated, Canada is moving in the other direction,” Jeff Fan, an analyst at Scotiabank, said in a note Monday.

Wind’s reduced Ont. focus message to government: Huang

Shaw Communications Inc. is putting less emphasis on growing subscribers for Wind in Ontario in favour of boosting its wireless network in Western Canada, according to Barclays analyst Phillip Huang.

Some concern about delay in Natale start date: analysts

It could be mid-2017 before former Telus Corp. head Joe Natale takes over as CEO at Rogers Communications Inc., according to financial analysts, some of whom said Tuesday that the delay could have negative effects on the company.

Rogers profit down 53% after Shomi write-down

Rogers Communications Inc. reported increased third-quarter revenues but lower net profits, in light of cutting its over-the-top (OTT) service Shomi last month.

Analysts optimistic about Natale at Rogers after Laurence’s surprise exit

In an unexpected move, Rogers Communications Inc. has announced Guy Laurence is no longer CEO of the company and will be replaced by former Telus Corp. CEO Joe Natale, a choice analysts responded to positively Monday.

Some Corus talk radio stations streaming on Apple Music

Corus Entertainment Inc. is making seven of its news talk radio stations available for free internationally on Apple Inc.’s Apple Music streaming service.

The company said in a Tuesday press release that it is “the first Canadian commercial radio company” available on Apple Music. 

Rogers Unison expands to bigger businesses

Rogers Communications Inc. is expanding a service aimed at businesses that brings landline features to mobile.

Wholesale rate decision could lead to focus on flanker brands, analysts say

In the days after the CRTC issued a decision that lowered wholesale wireline Internet rates proposed by large Internet Service Providers (ISPs), financial analysts said the large telecoms could respond to increased pressure through flanker brands, and some pointed to the possibility of decreased infrastructure investment.

iHeartRadio launches in Canada

iHeartMedia Inc.'s free digital radio and music streaming service is now available in Canada, according to a press release from BCE Inc.’s media division.

The free app, iHeartRadio, is available on a preview basis ahead of its official launch on Oct. 10.

Rogers intros wireless data controls ahead of Wireless Code review

TORONTO — Rogers Communications Inc. CEO Guy Laurence said Thursday the company will eliminate an “irritant” among its customers by giving them the ability to manage their wireless data, but said such services shouldn’t be mandated by the Wireless Code.

CRTC’s lowering of HSA rates means small ISPs ‘free to innovate’: CNOC

The CRTC has set revised interim wholesale rates for high-speed access (HSA) services, criticizing large Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for proposing “unreasonable” rates that were too high, in a move small ISPs say leaves them “free to innovate.”

Privacy commish in contact with Rogers, Yahoo about breach

The federal privacy commissioner’s office said it has been in touch with Rogers Communications Inc. and Yahoo Inc. regarding the breach of millions of Yahoo email accounts revealed last week, though it declined to comment on more recent revelations of Yahoo spying on user emails.

Rogers gigabit Internet rollout mostly completed

Rogers Communications Inc. said Tuesday its gigabit Internet service is now available in St. John’s, N.L.

CraveTV profitability still uncertain after Shomi exit: Desjardins

While CraveTV should have an easier time competing in the over-the-top (OTT) space now that Shomi will cease operation, Netflix Inc.’s offering still leaves doubt about the profitability of BCE Inc.’s service, says a Desjardins analyst.

Shomi had 900,000 subs, company says

Rogers buying two Ontario radio stations

Rogers Communications Inc. said Monday the company is buying Tillsonburg Broadcasting Company Ltd., which operates the Country 107.3 and Easy 101 radio stations in southwestern Ontario.

As Shomi shuts down, experts point to strong competition in OTT

Shomi, the joint Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. over-the-top (OTT) video service, will shut down on Nov. 30, the service announced Monday afternoon, in a move some industry experts said wasn’t completely out of the blue.

Telecoms among least-trusted Canadian companies: report

In a University of Victoria study ranking Canadians’ trust of various brands, all the telecom providers included were at the bottom of the list.

The Gustavson Brand Trust Index, released Thursday, measured opinions regarding 276 brands among 6,384 Canadian consumers.

Differing opinions on how to guide differential pricing, interventions show

Even among those who support differential pricing practices such as zero rating and sponsoring data, there isn’t a consensus as to how they should be regulated by CRTC, according to additional comments filed with the commission in its proceeding on the issue.

Supplemental interventions were published on the CRTC’s website on Thursday, ahead of the five-day public hearing, which begins Oct. 31 in Gatineau, Que. During the week-long hearing, the CRTC panel will hear from 31 groups, companies and individuals.

Class action targets automatic service price adjustment

Lawyers are asking a Quebec court to allow a class action lawsuit against companies that they allege are violating the province’s consumer protection laws by requiring customers to take the initiative to cancel services after fixed promotional periods.

Quebecor in ‘no rush’ to get rid of 700MHz spectrum: Pruneau

Quebecor Inc.’s chief financial officer Jean-François Pruneau said Thursday the company is content to wait to sell the 700 MHz spectrum it picked up in 2014 and never deployed, given its value continues to grow with time.

Steve Maich appointed SVP of digital content, publishing at Rogers Media

Steve Maich’s role within Rogers Communications Inc.’s media division has been expanded, as he becomes the company’s senior vice-president of digital content and publishing, the company announced Monday.

Rick Brace, president of Rogers Media, said in a press release that Maich will be “responsible for driving the media company’s digital strategy and growth, including digital content creation, monetization, and data development.”

Rogers logging in to Twitter for customer care

Rogers Communications Inc. is taking to Twitter Inc.’s social media service to allow its customers to connect with its support representatives. 

The partnership, announced in a Thursday press release, will allow Rogers and customers of its Fido flanker brand to directly connect to live care team representatives without having to follow the Twitter page, as Twitter builds out its business support features.

Rogers’ Laurence says CanCon should be international brand

Rogers Communications Inc. CEO Guy Laurence said the government’s ongoing review of Canadian content in a digital age should lead to more focus on promoting and selling content internationally, among other changes.

Rogers launches small business app portal

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Wednesday a new platform for businesses to manage cloud applications.

The Rogers Business App Market is billed as an online portal “where small business can purchase, manage and get expert tech support to run best-in-class business applications for their business,” Rogers said in a press release.

According to Rogers, Canadian small businesses manage about five cloud applications at once, such as email, payroll, accounting and scheduling.

Extra data promos to drive upgrades: Barclays

Promotions offering customers extra data as part of back-to-school promotions by Canada’s largest three wireless carriers will help drive upgrades by customers, according to a research note by Barclays Capital analyst Phillip Huang.

CRTC skinny basic hearing ‘premature,’ telecoms say

As the CRTC is set to look into the implementation of its skinny basic TV package rules by industry, telecoms are arguing the proceeding is largely premature, given that the commission’s skinny basic regime still hasn’t been fully implemented.

Commission admits to factual error in CIPF decision

The CRTC has admitted it made an error in a recent decision by attributing an argument made by Rogers Communication Inc.’s group of funds to the Canada Media Fund (CMF).

In a press release Thursday, the Writers’ Guild of Canada (WGC) said that in the decision, the CRTC referred to arguments made by the CMF in favour of loosening the requirements necessary for a production to qualify for funding from the Canadian Independent Production Funds (CIPFs).

VMedia shopping for QVC appeal

A CRTC decision to deny an application by VMedia Inc. to carry U.S. shopping channel QVC will be scrutinized by a judge after the independent provider was granted leave to appeal the decision in federal court.

VMedia is asking the court to throw out the commission’s April decision, saying that the CRTC made mistakes in its rationale for not adding QVC to the list of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution.

Rogers says OMNI needs subscription revenue

Rogers Communications Inc. is defending its proposal for a new national OMNI channel with mandatory carriage, arguing that the plan it submitted to the CRTC was the best option out of the multiple alternatives it considered.

Bell has fastest wireless network again: report

BCE Inc. owns the country’s fastest mobile speeds for a second consecutive year, helped by partnerships agreements with other companies, according to a report released Wednesday by PCMag.com.

With an average of 59.72 Mbps, Bell’s mobile speeds dwarf those of its American counterparts like Verizon Communications Inc., which won PCMag’s fastest mobile network in the U.S. with an average of 27.8 Mbps. This is the fourth year PCMag has done this survey.

Bell’s Wholesale Code appeal, conditions of licence ask face stiff opposition

BCE Inc. has “unclean hands” in its effort to have the Wholesale Code overturned by the federal Appeal Court while simultaneously applying to have removed certain conditions of licence imposed on vertically integrated entities in 2013 by the CRTC during the ongoing licence renewal process, lawyers argued in court documents responding to Bell’s appeal.

Small-player competition helps boost Internet speeds: Speedtest

Emerging boutique fibre companies are forcing the incumbents to boost speeds to match competition as fixed and mobile speeds increased significantly over the year, according to a report by Speedtest, a product of Ookla, an American broadband testing and web diagnostics company.