Some Internet tier upgrades due to bandwidth, not speed: Cope

Some subscribers are climbing Internet service tiers not necessarily for increased speed, but to obtain unlimited bandwidth, George Cope, BCE Inc.’s president and chief executive officer, said Thursday on a second-quarter earnings conference call with analysts.

Cope made the comments while fielding a question on what speeds Bell’s new subscribers are taking.

Sugar Mobile partners with U.S. MVNO

Iristel Inc.’s mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) Sugar Mobile announced Wednesday it has partnered with an American WiFi-based service to leverage existing WiFi customers who might want some access to cellular networks.

Community TV complaints deferred: CACTUS

The Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS) said Wednesday it’s unhappy with the CRTC’s decision to put off complaints about alleged broadcast distribution undertakings’ (BDUs) compliance issues until later this fall.

In a press release, the association said almost 60 complaints made by CACTUS and community partners in early 2016 won’t be considered until the licence renewal proceedings later this year.

CRTC denies Durham Radio Toronto proposal

The CRTC has denied an application by Durham Radio Inc. to change the transmitter of its FM tower to expand its service into Toronto.

In a decision Monday, the commission said that the proposal to modify the CJKX-FM-2, a rebroadcasting transmitter of the English-language commercial country music radio station CJKX-FM Ajax, to expand the service to an additional 654,000 residents in the west side of Toronto and east side of Mississauga is not warranted because “the primary market that Durham is licensed to serve is Ajax and Oshawa.”

In business, landlines are going mobile

Over the course of the past year, several Canadian telecoms have introduced systems that allow small businesses to use their mobile phones with landline functionality, a move that highlights a shift away from landline services in the office.

Court OKs disclosure of customer info in Voltage case

Rogers Communications Inc. must disclose the personal information of a customer accused by Voltage Pictures LLC of violating its copyright, according to a court decision that experts said clarifies the notice-and-notice system isn’t a good vehicle for such disclosures.

Cable could make turnaround in 2017: Canaccord

Rogers Communications Inc.’s second-quarter earnings may have foreshadowed a turnaround for cable in 2017, after the company reported its best second-quarter for Internet subscribers in eight years, according to Canaccord Genuity.

Rogers cutting cord on business landlines with new service

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Tuesday that it will offer small businesses a service that eliminates the need for landline phones by bringing landline features to mobile.

Rogers Unison will allow businesses to connect their “entire business and team” regardless of their location without employees having to be at their desks, according to a Tuesday press release.  

Rogers’ OMNI proposal needs more scrutiny: ethnic broadcasters

A group of ethnic programming services is asking the CRTC to consider a proposal by Rogers Communications Inc. for a national OMNI channel separately from its licence renewal hearing.

Quebec online gambling law unconstitutional: PIAC

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is asking the CRTC to deem as unconstitutional a Quebec law compelling Internet service providers (ISPs) to block certain online gambling websites.

In a new Part 1 application filed Friday, the advocacy group said that the legislation passed by Quebec’s national assembly in May, “is in direct conflict with s. 36 of the Telecommunication Act.”

Rogers launches new cloud storage service

Rogers Communications Inc. has introduced a new data cloud storage service for businesses, the company said in a press release Thursday.

The Rogers Public Cloud “gives customers access to computing and storage space in a shared cloud environment,” the release said.

“Customers manage this virtual IT environment through a single web portal and have access to 24 x 7 support,” it said, noting that data will be stored in Canada.  

Ice Wireless can continue to roam until final decision

Sugar Mobile, an affiliate of Iristel Inc.-subsidiary Ice Wireless, can continue roaming on Rogers Communications Inc.’s network while the CRTC considers its final decision in a dispute between the two companies.

Facebook, AT&T defend differential pricing in CRTC review

Facebook Inc. and AT&T Inc. have waded into the CRTC’s review of differential pricing practices, arguing that the commission should allow carriers to offer zero-rated services and sponsored data.

The Shopping Channel appoints new president

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Wednesday that it has appointed Anne Martin-Vachon as president of The Shopping Channel, effective August 16.

Advocacy groups take aim at data caps in zero-rating review

Questions around telecoms’ usage of data caps should be at the centre of the CRTC’s proceeding on differential pricing practices, advocacy groups said in interventions, calling for the commission to impose limits on their use.

Data caps are “un-necessary evil,” said the Equitable Internet Coalition, whose members include the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), which asked the CRTC to focus the proceeding on data caps and not differential pricing.

CanCon review panel announcement draws mixed reaction

Heritage Canada’s announcement of an expert advisory panel for its review of Canadian content in a digital age, which includes representatives from a number of broadcasters, was met with both praise and criticism Tuesday.

Stroumboulopoulos out, MacLean back at Hockey Night in Canada

George Stroumboulopoulos is leaving Hockey Night in Canada after two years of hosting the program, Rogers Communications Inc.’s Sportsnet said in a press release Monday.

“Stroumboulopoulos will depart the company to explore new creative opportunities,” the release added. Longtime host Ron MacLean will return to the program, hosting alongside Sportsnet reporter David Amber.

Rogers launches HD radio in Toronto, Vancouver

Rogers Communications Inc. is now using HD radio technology in broadcasting a number of stations in Toronto and Vancouver.

The company said in a press release Monday that the stations include Toronto’s Kiss 92.5, 680 News, Sportsnet 590 The Fan, and Vancouver’s 96.9 Jack FM and News 1130.

“More than just a heightened listening experience, listeners will also enjoy enhanced digital content on their HD radio devices, featuring song titles, album art, and artist information,” it said.

Sports now make up 50% of top 10 grossing channels: CRTC

Sportsnet One and TVA Sports are, for the first time, in the top 10 highest-grossing TV channels, according to the CRTC’s latest stats on Canadian programming—and of those top 10, five are sports channels.

The commission released its 2015 financial results for specialty, pay, pay-per-view (PPV) and video-on-demand (VOD) television services on Thursday.

Rogers restructuring gives Vice Viceland stake

The CRTC has approved a reorganization that will see Rogers Communications Inc.’s media division share control of the Viceland TV channel.

Bell-MTS deal could pose regulatory risk for SaskTel: report

The biggest risk to Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. in the wake of BCE Inc.’s proposed $3.9-billion takeover of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. is the potential changing of the regulatory landscape, according to a provincially-commissioned analysis.

Anglophone TV subs fall to 73%: MTM

The number of anglophones subscribing to TV service continues to fall, according to a new report by Media Technology Monitor (MTM), a project of CBC/Radio-Canada.

Rogers shows off IPTV service to investors

Rogers Communications Inc. unveiled its new IPTV service to investors Thursday, according to analysts’ notes, though company spokesman Aaron Lazarus declined to comment Friday.

Canaccord Genuity analyst Aravinda Galappatthige said in a Friday note that the service “represents a substantial leap from its existing legacy platform.” He noted the transition to cable from IPTV is likely to take almost five years.

The Shopping Channel introduces Apple TV app

The Shopping Channel (TSC) has launched an app for Apple Inc.’s Apple TV platform.

Rogers Communications Inc., which owns the Mississauga-based retailer, announced the ShopTSC app in a Thursday press release.

The app will allow “customers to stream both live and pre-recorded broadcasts, browse exclusive items,” and buy items “directly from their TVs.”

SCC decision backs Rogers, federal jurisdiction in telecom

A nearly nine-year spat between Rogers Communications Inc. and a Quebec municipality over the location of a wireless tower came to an end Thursday, with the Supreme Court of Canada handing the company a victory and bolstering the federal government’s authority over telecommunications matters.

Broadcast licence renewal hearing set for November

The CRTC said Wednesday it will hold a public hearing to renew broadcast licences held by large ownership groups, including Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc., Corus Entertainment Inc. and Quebecor Inc. this fall.

CRTC ‘rebalances’ TV system funds; up to $90M available for local news

The CRTC has established new funding for local television news in a decision on its local and community TV hearing, though advocates expressed concern that the changes won’t happen quickly enough for some stations.

In a summary of the decision, issued Wednesday afternoon, the CRTC said independent stations will be able to tap into a $23.1-million Independent Local News Fund (ILNF), while new flexibility could make available up to $66.9 million for stations operated by vertically-integrated companies.

Set-top box provider appealing temporary ban

A federal court judge erred in her determination that allowing a group of five companies to continue selling pre-loaded set-top boxes would pose “irreparable harm” to TV service providers, according to court documents filed this week.

Shomi, Crave in fewer than 1M households: SRG

Solutions Research Group Consultants Inc. estimates fewer than one million Canadian households are currently subscribers to BCE Inc.’s CraveTV and Rogers Communications Inc.’s and Shaw Communications Inc.’s Shomi.

Rogers proposes ‘not-for-profit’ national OMNI channel

Rogers Communications Inc. is changing tack with its beleaguered OMNI ethnic stations, announcing Tuesday it’s applied for a licence for a national ethnic channel, which it asked the CRTC to include in skinny-basic packages, promising to restore previously cut ethnic programming if the proposal is approved.

Pre-loaded set-top boxes piracy, BDUs say as court orders temporary ban

A trio of major telecom companies have received their first victory in a legal fight against companies selling set-top boxes allowing users to illegally access copyrighted material.

On June 1, a federal court judge awarded BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc. and Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron an injunction against five companies dealing in “pre-loaded” set-top boxes, which came with applications that let users access free television content.

Videology adds Rogers linear TV inventory to programmatic space

Advertisers will now have access to Rogers Communications Inc.’s linear TV inventory for programmatic, or automated, advertising, Videology Inc. said in a Wednesday press release.

The New York-based software provider said it will integrate Rogers’ linear TV inventory into its new software, giving Rogers’ clients a data-driven approach to its ad choices with the intention of making them more effective.

Rogers offering gigabit Internet in Moncton

Rogers Communications Inc. said Tuesday that its gigabit Internet is now available in neighbourhoods across Greater Moncton, N.B.

“Increasing our digital infrastructure will help ensure businesses have the tools they need to reach their full potential as part of today’s digital economy,” Roger Melanson, Dieppe MLA and New Brunswick’s president of the treasury board, said in a press release.

MTS considered SaskTel merger, Telus and Rogers declined to bid

An information package for Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. shareholders sheds some light on the genesis of the proposed $3.9-billion acquisition of the company by BCE Inc., announced May 2.

According to the 192-page document outlining various terms of the agreement in which shareholders could receive $40 cash per MTS share, it was a week-and-a-half-long process from offer to public announcement.

Voltage asks court to force Rogers to I.D. file-sharing John Doe

Voltage Pictures LLC is asking federal court to order Rogers Communications Inc. to disclose the identity of an individual who infringed its copyright of five movies.

In a motion of disclosure filed in court Wednesday, Voltage said the notice-and-notice provisions of the Copyright Act include “a mechanism for identifying anonymous copyright infringers, such as John Doe no. 1,” and asked the court to compel Rogers to disclose his identity.

Bell to pay $12M for premium text message charges

The Competition Bureau said Friday it has reached an agreement with BCE Inc. in which the company will rebate customers up to $11.8 million for premium text messaging charges.

It will also donate $800,000 to digital research media and awareness.

The Competition Bureau said in a press release that the “amount of money available for consumer rebates is the most obtained to date under a Bureau agreement.”

Four telecoms singled out for skinny-basic hearing

The CRTC said Tuesday it will hold a hearing on the implementation of skinny basic TV packages, though it only asked four companies — BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Shaw Communications Inc., and Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron — to appear at the Sept. 7 proceeding.

Since they became available in March, 100,000 Canadians have signed up for the new packages, the commission said in a press release.

What does the future hold for WiFi calling?

Despite the fact that large wireless carriers have been offering WiFi calling for months, the emergence of WiFi calling provider Sugar Mobile, and hinted-at-plans by Shaw Communications Inc. to integrate Wind with its WiFi network, experts say the technology is unlikely to take centre stage in the Canadian wireless market.

Big-box wireless customers ‘high risk’: study

Consumers who shop at big-box stores are more likely to purchase unlocked phones and are more likely to switch wireless providers, according to results of a study released Thursday.

Network-issue calls down after online tool launch: Rogers

In the three months since it launched a beta version of its online network-monitoring tool, Rogers Communications Inc. said it has experienced a decline in service calls about network issues.

Shaw offering credit to Fort McMurray evacuees

Shaw Communications Inc. customers in Fort McMurray and other wildfire-affected areas in the region are getting a one-month service credit, the company announced in a Saturday press release.

The credit, retroactive to the city’s mandatory evacuation date of May 3, will ensure all affected customers continue to have access to Shaw Go WiFi, FreeRange TV” and their Shaw domain email accounts, “without needing to worry about their account’s status,” the release said.

Rogers extends $5, $10 roaming plans to Fido

Rogers Communications Inc. will begin offering some customers of its Fido flanker brand the ability to roam in the United States for $5 per day and in various international destinations for $10 per day.

The company said in a press release Friday that beginning in the middle of May, customers of its Fido Pulse plans will be able to use their regular talk, text and data allotment while roaming.

CBC’s Olympics coverage to include virtual reality

CBC/Radio-Canada’s coverage of the summer Olympics in Brazil will incorporate some virtual reality content.

The broadcaster said in a press release Wednesday that “it will provide viewers with both a 360-degree motion-sensitive stream as well as an immersive virtual reality stream for use with compatible headset technology.”

Redirect voice subsidy to broadband, CRTC panel hears

GATINEAU, Que. — With the use of landlines declining across the country, the money collected for the provision of universal phone service should be reallocated to cover areas of the country underserved by broadband connectivity, CRTC commissioners heard Thursday.

On the ninth day of a three-week basic services hearing, the five-member panel was encouraged to stay away from the idea of creating new subsidies to fund the gaps in Internet service.

Rogers to launch IPTV by end of the year

Rogers Communications Inc. will be launching an IPTV service by the end of the year, Guy Laurence, the company’s CEO, confirmed Tuesday during Rogers’ annual general meeting of shareholders held in Toronto.

“It’ll be everything your cable service offers today but on a slick, state-of-the-art platform that’s easy to use and personalized to your wishes,” Laurence said in a webcast of the conference. “It will take your TV viewing to a whole new level and we’ll introduce it at the end of this year.”

Rogers revenue up 2% due to wireless, business divisions

Rogers Communications Inc. reported a two-per-cent increase in revenue in the first quarter, which rose from $3.18 billion to $3.25 billion.

As streaming services grow, is TV-everywhere still relevant?

When companies launched TV-everywhere products a few years ago, they did so as part of an effort to compete with then-new streaming services — but now that many of those same companies have their own subscription OTT products, TV everywhere seems to be stuck in something of a holding pattern.

Despite companies continuing to push TV-everywhere products, people aren’t using them any more than when they were first introduced. And while awareness of individual platforms remains steady, the general idea of TV everywhere is falling off the radar.

Rogers program raises pre-hearing questions about affordability

OTTAWA — Other major Internet service providers may be compelled to follow in the footsteps of Rogers Communications Inc. and offer cheap Internet packages for low-income earners, according to experts looking ahead to next week’s CRTC basic telecom services hearing.

Rogers expands low-income-housing Internet service

Rogers Communications Inc. is expanding its $10 Internet service for customers living in low-income housing.

Rogers takes on troubleshooting with introduction of IoT as a service

Rogers Communications Inc.’s introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) management as a service removes the need for its business enterprise customers to troubleshoot their various applications and devices themselves, allowing them to focus on customer service, the company said.

Ignacio Paz, Rogers’ general manager of IoT, said in a phone interview that “to drive that adoption of IoT solutions, we as an industry … need to make it simple for our customers."

Exec cites ‘tipping point’ in customer demand as Sportsnet goes OTT

Rogers Communications Inc. will begin offering its Sportsnet channels without a TV subscription for $24.99 per month, the company announced Thursday.

Scott Moore, president of Sportsnet and NHL properties at Rogers, said in a phone interview that the company chose to do so because “this is what a certain segment of our consumer base is asking for. You would have to have your head in the sand over the last three to five years if you weren’t paying attention to the way people consume video content.”

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.

Sugar Mobile model threatens facilities-based competition: Telus, Quebecor

Allowing Sugar Mobile to continue roaming on Rogers Communications Inc.’s network would be a “backdoor means” to mandated mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) access, and “a recipe to destroy any appetite for facilities-based competition,” Telus Corp. said.

As skinny basic arrives, experts doubt consumer appeal

On the day Canadian TV providers were required to make their skinny basic options available to consumers, experts expressed skepticism about how many Canadians will sign up for the new offers and their ability to improve the trend toward cord-cutting.

Drew McReynolds, an analyst with RBC Dominion Securities, said in a research note Tuesday that the new options launched by the TV providers “are designed to protect profitability and/or incentivize households to largely stick with existing channel bundles, which in some cases have been improved.”

Viceland to bring online ad strategies to broadcast TV

Viceland, the TV channel from Vice Media LLC and Rogers Communications Inc. that launched Monday, plans to bring a branded content advertising model that has been more common online to traditional linear TV.

In addition to traditional 30-second ads, the channel will air Vice-produced, “alternative types of advertising,” David Purdy, chief international growth officer at Vice, said in a phone interview.

Rogers to offer $3-$18 theme packs with skinny basic

Rogers Communications Inc.’s $24.99 skinny basic offer will include the U.S. "4+1” networks ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and PBS, and its theme packages will cost between $3 and $18.

Rogers spokeswoman Jennifer Kett sent details of the new offer, which will be available as of March 1, in an email Wednesday.

Rogers disconnection would set harmful precedent: Sugar Mobile

Interventions filed opposing Ice Wireless' request for interim relief in its roaming dispute with Rogers Communications Inc. failed to properly address the relevant issues, instead focusing on "absurd" interpretations of statements Sugar Mobile CEO Samer Bishay made in media reports, the company said in a response to comments filed with the CRTC.

Sugar Mobile subs have no ‘right’ to roaming: Rogers

Rogers Communications Inc. and BCE Inc. told the CRTC that Rogers has the right to disconnect Ice Wireless from its network because its affiliate Sugar Mobile is selling service outside of Ice Wireless' operating territory.

CRTC tells Rogers not to disconnect Sugar Mobile, for now

The CRTC said Thursday Rogers Communications Inc. has to “maintain its roaming agreement” with Iristel Inc.’s subsidiary Ice Wireless and its affiliate Sugar Mobile until the CRTC makes a decision on Ice Wireless’ Part 1 application.

Supreme Court denies wireless fee lawsuit

A British Columbia man has failed in his bid to bring a class-action suit against Rogers Communications Inc., Telus Corp. and BCE Inc. on the basis that the $6.95 system access fee charged to legacy wireless customers was misleading.

How could the Netflix proxy ban affect Canadian OTT?

The Netflix Inc. crackdown on virtual-private-network (VPN) use could provide an opportunity for Canadian providers to carve out more of the over-the-top (OTT) market, though a lack of firm figures makes predictions difficult.

Shaw to keep Wind’s current strategy in place: exec

As it takes ownership of Wind Mobile, Shaw Communications Inc. will continue positioning Wind as a cheaper option compared to the big three national wireless carriers, according to the company’s chief operating officer.

In a wide-ranging phone interview with The Wire Report, Jay Mehr said Shaw plans to keep the same “strategy that Wind has been executing over the course of last year.”

TVA, Bell Media take down illegal sports streaming website

Quebecor Inc.’s TVA division and BCE Inc.’s media subsidiary have shut down a website that was pirating the TVA Sports and RDS sports channels.

The companies said in a press release Friday that they seized computer equipment from those that were operating an illegal streaming site whose pirated streams included content from the two channels.

News fund ‘distant second-best solution’ to local TV problem: Rogers

GATINEAU — Rogers Communications Inc. said on the fourth day of the CRTC’s hearing into local and community TV that it doesn’t think the creation of a fund for local news is the best way to address the problems facing local television, though if the CRTC does establish a fund, it should be half the size suggested by BCE Inc.

Rogers Q4 revenues up on wireless

Rogers Communications Inc. said in its quarterly results that its revenues saw three per cent growth in the three months ended Dec. 31, from $3.36 billion a year earlier to $3.45 billion.

Rogers said that increase was due to growth in its wireless services, which saw a four per cent change from $1.89 billion to $1.98 billion in the same period, and to a three per cent increase in its media segment, which it said was primarily due to growth at its Sportsnet specialty channel and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rogers extends Roam Like Home to China, Russia, India

Rogers Communications Inc. announced Wednesday that it has added more than a dozen countries to its Roam Like Home service including Russia, China, India, South Africa, Australia, Israel and Japan.

Rogers spokesman Andrew Garas said in an email the expansion also includes New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Armenia and the islands of Jersey and Guernsey in the English Channel.

Rogers Media cutting 200 jobs

Rogers Communications Inc.’s media division said Monday it is cutting about 200 jobs, primarily in "conventional TV, radio, publishing, and back-office positions." 

In an emailed statement, Andrea Goldstein, senior director of communications, said the company has “identified cost efficiencies in production, operations and procurement, and [has] made the difficult decision to reduce headcount.”

CRTC proposes fund for local TV news

The CRTC is proposing a new fund to support local TV news programming, which would be funded by existing financial resources within the broadcasting system.

The proposal was included a paper released Tuesday, which will be used as a basis for discussion at an eight-day hearing on local and community television that begins Jan. 25.

Bell top in wireless speeds, Rogers in LTE: OpenSignal

A new report analyzing wireless network performance among Canada’s biggest three players says BCE Inc. has the fastest speeds, while Rogers Communications Inc. has the best LTE coverage.

OpenSignal, a U.K.-based company that analyzes mobile performance, said in a report released Monday that Rogers had LTE coverage 80.25 per cent of the time, compared to Bell’s 70.38 per cent and Telus Corp.’s 71.84.

CraveTV remains unavailable without TV subscription

CraveTV will be available online to all Canadians some time this month, a spokesman from BCE Inc.'s Bell Media division said Tuesday, and access did not open up on Jan. 1, which had previously been the announced plan.

"CraveTV will launch direct to consumer later this month," Bell Media spokesman Scott Henderson said in an email.

Toronto telecom provider seeks condo access

Beanfield Technologies Inc., an independent provider of fibre-based Internet, TV and phone services in Toronto, is asking the CRTC to help it gain access to one of the few condominium buildings it isn't already connected to in the city's Liberty Village neighbourhood.

Shomi extends free trial to 2 months

Video-streaming service Shomi is temporarily doubling the length of its free trial offer to new subscribers to two months, it said Wednesday.

Shomi, which is jointly operated by Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc., said the deal is available for a limited time.

“After the expiry of the additional free month, our already-awesome one-month free trial period will be reinstated,” the release said.

Distant TV signals losing value, service providers say

OTTAWA — Canada's major TV service providers argued before the Copyright Board of Canada on Monday that they should pay less for distant-TV signals because these channels are losing value as more viewing options become available to consumers.

It was the fifth day of a hearing scheduled to last until Friday, along with final arguments slated for Jan. 26 and 27.

CRTC says incumbents can’t change terms in interim roaming rates

The CRTC has told Rogers Communications Inc., BCE Inc., and Telus Corp. that the terms and conditions in interim tariffs the incumbents filed following the CRTC’s move in May to regulate some roaming rates must be consistent with the agreements in place at the time the decision was made.

David Purdy to leave Rogers

OTTAWA — David Purdy, senior vice-president of content at Rogers Communications Inc., said Monday that he will leave the company and that an official announcement will be issued later this week.

Purdy told the Copyright Board of Canada, during a hearing to set the royalty rates that TV service providers pay for distant-TV signals, that he has accepted a new job with a "next-generation" media company that's based in New York and has some operations in Canada.

Broadcasters advised to ‘pick their winners’ as pick-and-pay approaches

As the Canadian TV industry approaches an era where customers have more choice over the channels they subscribe to, large broadcasters should “pick their winners” and consolidate into a smaller number of channels, a new report from RBC Capital Markets says.  

Major mobile providers offer extra gigabyte

The three incumbent mobile-service providers and their flanker brands were all offering Black Friday specials, lasting until the Sunday, Nov. 30, that included an extra gigabyte per month on select plans.

BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Telus Corp and their discount arms — Virgin Mobile, Fido and Koodo, respectively — all said on their websites Friday certain wireless plans would feature this bonus for new customers and those upgrading before the end of the weekend.

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."

Rob Farina leaves Rogers after reported record label spat

Rob Farina has resigned as vice-president of content with Rogers Communications Inc.'s media division, the company has confirmed, following a report he called for a boycott of a record company he saw as favouring BCE Inc.

Rogers launches Fido Internet service

Rogers Communications Inc. announced on Thursday a new Internet service for Ontario under its Fido brand.

Information provided by the company by email said customers of its discount mobile service Fido have been asking for "quality home Internet at a great price."

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.

Rogers, Vice to launch new channel for millennials

Rogers Communications Inc. said Thursday it will launch a new 24-hour specialty channel aimed at millennials next year as part of its partnership with Vice Media Inc.

Are stars aligning for Shaw sale to Rogers?

The idea of a merger between Canada's two biggest cable providers — Shaw Communications Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. — is on the radar again, with at least two market analysts saying the conditions are right for such a move.

CRTC hearing on complaints commissioner scheduled for 4 days

The Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) will kick off next week’s CRTC hearing on the structure and mandate of this office, while an appearance by BCE Inc. will close out the four-day hearing.

The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. local time in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday and wrap up the following Friday, the CRTC said in a press release.

Liberals to be ‘less aggressive’ on 4th-player policy: analyst

Canaccord Genuity analysts Aravinda Galappatthige and Sanford Lee said Tuesday that they expect a Liberal majority government, as elected Monday, to take a “softer pro-wireless new entrant stance.”

They said in a research note that the previous Conservative government had “consistently pursued the idea of a fourth national wireless player” through policies such as spectrum caps and set-asides in spectrum auctions, expecting that more competition would lower prices for consumers.

Rogers, Bell start supporting WiFi calling

BCE Inc. and Roger Communications Inc. have begun supporting calls and texts over WiFi networks with the latest iPhone.

"You can call and text wherever you have a Wi-Fi connection in places like basements, condos and tall buildings — places where you may have had trouble getting reception before," Rogers says on its website.

Bell says on its website: "Wi-Fi Calling lets you expand your mobile coverage in locations across Canada where you may not have cell reception."

Big Three reluctant to finance smartphone purchases

Executives from BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc. and Telus Corp. said Tuesday they are not interested in offering the type of smartphone leasing or financing plans that are increasingly available to customers in the U.S., though they’re willing to consider the option if others move that way.

“If the market changes, we’ll change with the market,” Bell CEO George Cope said during the Bank of Montreal media and telecom conference from Toronto. “We’ll see how it evolves.”

CRTC tells Mobilicity to move on 911 texting

The CRTC has told Mobilicity to get its plan for providing deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired customers with 911-texting capabilities in order.