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Telus now offering 36-month device financing
Telus Corp. has followed in the footsteps of rival Rogers Communications Inc. in making its device financing plans available with a three-year term option. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free …
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Freedom plans could drive big three back to subsidies: analysts
The launch of new plans from Shaw Communications Inc.’s Freedom will drive more competition in the wireless market, analysts said after the new $0 phone plans were unveiled — warning the new offerings could lead incumbents to reconsider their new equipment financing plans. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …
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Freedom answers to ‘unlimited’, offers $0 phones on select plans
Shaw Communications Inc.’s Freedom is responding to the wireless industry’s recent moves toward removing data caps and offering $0 upfront financing plans by throwing-in select devices at absolutely no charge on certain plans. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …
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‘Unlimited’ plans leading to 50% more data use, Rogers says
Rogers Communications Inc.’s CEO Joe Natale said there has been a 50 per cent increase in data use among the 365,000 customers who’ve adopted its “unlimited” data plans in the six weeks they have been in the market. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …
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Eastlink intros device switching after one year
Bragg Communications Inc.’s Eastlink is bringing in a program that encourages customers to upgrade their phones after 12 months — bucking an industry trend of switching at the end of the standard two-year contract term. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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‘Unlimited’ plans could negatively impact industry: analyst
Rogers Communications Inc.’s decision to introduce “no overage” plans will likely negatively impact all wireless carriers, Scotiabank’s Jeff Fan said in a new report. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free …
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Ultimate impact of new ‘unlimited’ plans unclear: industry-watchers
As BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. reacted to Rogers Communications Inc.’s offer of a new wireless data plan with no data overage charges, analysts and experts had difficulty predicting how the new plans could affect the industry. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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CRTC denies PIAC clarity on phone unlocking
The CRTC has denied a request by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) to state that CRTC policy requires wireless providers to unlock devices for anyone who asks, regardless of whether they are customers of that company. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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Bell-branded wireless hits sub-1% churn, continuing industry trend
The expected focus by the country’s largest wireless service providers this year to keep the spoils of last year’s record postpaid wireless subscribers has so-far propelled two of those companies to a milestone achievement: a postpaid wireless churn of under one-per cent. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here …
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Ahead of next alert test, cities group says texts lack specificity
Before a second wireless emergency alert test went out in November, a group consisting of major emergency management agencies across Canada sent a letter to Public Safety asking for the messages to include more specific details about the events and their location. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here …
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Singh vows to ‘stand up to the rich telecommunication companies’
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh is putting cell phone and internet affordability on the political agenda as an early issue ahead of the October vote, attacking incumbent telecom companies for profiting from steep prices and trying to paint the Liberal government as being too close with them. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a …
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Samsung readying 5G PR blitz in Canada: internal comms
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is embarking this year on a massive information and marketing campaign to promote its leadership on, and rollout of, 5G in Canada, according to a high level presentation seen by The Wire Report on Wednesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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CRTC approves telecoms’ proposed low-cost data plans
The CRTC has chosen not to make changes to lower-cost data plans suggested by telecoms, accepting the plans as envisioned by the companies, in a decision that angered consumer advocates — whose proposals for cheaper alternatives went unheeded. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …
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Verizon to offer Samsung 5G phones in U.S. next year
U.S. telecom Verizon Communications Inc. plans to have device manufacturer Samsung Electronics Co.’s 5G-compatible smartphones in the U.S. market within the first half of next year, the two companies announced Monday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …
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Lack of scale, device lineup challenges for Xplore Mobile
New Brunswick-based internet provider Xplornet Communications Inc. started selling mobile subscriptions in Manitoba this week, with many watching how the small telecom operator will fare competing against larger players. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news …
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Ottawa struggles to stop prisoners from using illicit mobile devices
The federal government is offering a contract for a company to come up with a new way to stop prison inmates from wirelessly communicating with the outside world — involving a new approach based on cooperating with telecoms. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …
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Fewer phones than expected emergency alert compatible: official
OTTAWA — Those in charge of the wireless emergency alert system overestimated how many Canadians had compatible phones that allow them to receive the alerts, Patrick Tanguy, assistant deputy minister of emergency management and programs at Public Safety Canada said Monday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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Class action filed against Facebook over Android metadata collection
Facebook Inc. is facing another class action suit in Ontario over how it handles user privacy in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal – this time, specifically over how it collected and used Android phone metadata. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …
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Ottawa conducting security tests on Huawei equipment: report
The federal government has quietly been testing the security of communications equipment used by Chinese-owned telecommunications company Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., The Globe and Mail reported Friday morning. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …
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Traffic stimulation in front of CRTC again with Iristel, Telus fight
Iristel Inc. and Telus Corp. are sparring in a pair of Part 1 applications this week, stemming from new allegations by Telus that Iristel resumed traffic stimulation activities shortly after a previous CRTC decision on the issue. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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Big Three face lawsuit over 911-location tech
A Colorado-based company is suing BCE Inc., Telus Corp. and Rogers Communications Inc. for allegedly violating its patents involving technology used to locate mobile phones for 911 service. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …
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Phone unlocking requirement has increased theft: Bell, Rogers
Rules that force providers to unlock smartphones have led to an increased level of crime targeting the supply chain and retail elements of their businesses, BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. told the CRTC. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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Still lots of room for industry growth in wireless: Rogers CEO
Explaining the relentless pace of growth in Canada’s wireless industry, Rogers Communications Inc.’s CEO Joe Natale said Canada still hasn’t reached its peak potential for subscribing Canadians. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. …
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Time online split nearly evenly between computers, smartphones: Comscore
Canadians are still spending a good amount of time on computers to access content online, though 11 per cent of the country uses smartphones and tablets exclusively, according to data from Comscore Inc. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …
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Canadians more likely to turn to WiFi on smartphones: report
In May, Canada’s smartphone users relied on an average of 2.7 GB in mobile data, but ended up using an average 8.4 GB of WiFi data, according to new results from Tutela Technologies Inc. network testing released on Monday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? …
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CRTC wants details from providers on phone unlocking
The CRTC is asking wireless service providers to outline their current practices on phone unlocking, following an application asking the regulator to require carriers to unlock all devices, even if the individual isn’t a customer. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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Don’t opt for alternative low-cost plans, carriers warn CRTC
The big three wireless providers doubled down on their proposed low-cost, data-only plans this week, telling the CRTC that alternative proposals from other parties in the proceeding could lead to a jurisdictional challenge and harm the wireless industry if implemented. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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Payfone-EnStream partner on ID authentication platform
A joint venture of the big three telecoms announced a partnership on Monday with U.S.-based Payfone Inc. to support the Canadian roll out of an app that could replace passwords in the future. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …
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‘Rare’ music industry consensus on key issues at Copyright Act review
The House industry committee heard some familiar suggestions from a number of music industry groups Thursday, as they asked the MPs to take action on a radio royalty exemption, the private copying levy and rules for royalties on soundtracks. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? …
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Low-cost data plans need higher caps, lower prices, CRTC hears
The Competition Bureau is among those who are telling the CRTC that mandated low-cost, data-only plans should have more data on offer, in a move that raises the stakes of the regulator’s proceeding on the plans, according to a Desjardins Capital analyst. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here …
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Industry should know Canadians concerned about sales practices: Bains
OTTAWA — Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said Thursday afternoon that he heard directly from both consumers who say they experienced aggressive sales tactics by telecoms and industry sales people who felt pressured by their management. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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ACTRA backs Music Canada asks on copyright reform
The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) asked a parliamentary committee reviewing the Copyright Act to take action on the so-called “value gap,” and seconded a trio of reforms put forward by Music Canada. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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Freedom expands WiFi calling availability
Shaw Communications Inc.’s Freedom Mobile said more phones with Apple Inc.’s iOS and Alphabet Inc.’s Android platform can make WiFi calls on its network in a post on Twitter Inc.’s platform Friday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and …
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Canadians using multiple devices, but adoption leveling off: MTM
According to the latest data from CBC/Radio-Canada’s Media Technology Monitoring (MTM) project, 35 per cent of English-speaking internet users in Canada continue to own four types of electronic device: computers, smartphones, tablets and internet-connected televisions. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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Too many emergency alerts could lead to ignorance: telecom consultant
TORONTO — An amber alert that resulted in three emergency texts sent to LTE phones in Ontario is a lesson that more training needs to be done to limit their frequency, since overuse of the system could defeat its purpose, a conference heard Tuesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …
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CRTC backtracks on aspects of NG911 decision
The CRTC has changed its mind when it comes to a distinction it initially drew between primary and secondary public safety answering points (PSAPs), following opposition from a group of police departments and emergency authorities. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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Telus says smartphone-specific adds at least on par with competitors
When paring the first quarter numbers down, Telus Corp.’s smartphone plan uptake rivaled its peers, if not beat them, despite comparatively lower new postpaid additions, a senior executive said Wednesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media …
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Border device search constitutionality case can proceed: U.S. judge
A federal judge in the United States has denied an attempt to dismiss a case examining whether device searches at the border are unconstitutional, in a decision on May 9. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media …
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Security, data concerns drive two-phone phenomenon: Bell CEO
As stories about security and personal data breaches make the headlines, wireless subscribers are adopting a second phone to detach from company use, BCE Inc. head George Cope said at an investors’ conference on Tuesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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Big Gig-spawned deals ‘artificially’ inflated churn for Telus
The holiday season caused a dramatic inflation of Telus Corp.’s defection rate at the start the year, CEO Darren Entwistle said Thursday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or …
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PIAC asks CRTC to mandate occasional-use wireless plans
The CRTC should ensure telecoms offer plans for consumers who only need wireless service on an occasional basis, according to the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC). This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take …
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Freedom on new, ‘sustainable’ trajectory after record sub adds: Shaw
On the heels of record wireless subscriber growth in its second quarter, Shaw Communication Inc.’s Freedom is on a path to steady growth, its president said on a conference call Thursday, emboldened by migrations to higher-priced data plans and stronger retention of existing customers. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …
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CRTC consulting on NG911 network efficiency
The CRTC said Monday it is asking for input on next-generation 911 (NG911) network design efficiencies recommended by telcos. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The …
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No slow-down for increases in data usage: telecoms
Executives from Rogers Communications Inc. and Telus Corp. don’t see demand for wireless data slowing down, they told an investors conference earlier this week. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free …
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Low-cost data plans ‘superior alternative’ to WiFi-first MVNOs: Scott
Having facilities-based carriers offer low-cost data-only plans is a better way to fulfill the government’s goals of more affordable wireless options for consumers than mandating roaming access by WiFi-first mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), CRTC chairman Ian Scott said Thursday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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Citing nat’l security, Trump blocks attempted Qualcomm takeover
Microchip producer Broadcom Ltd.’s proposed takeover of chipmaker Qualcomm Inc. was blocked Monday via an executive order by United States president Donald Trump. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial …
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UofO teases consumer tools for wireless services
OTTAWA — Tools to better inform consumers of their rights when purchasing wireless services are under development at the University of Ottawa, which a professor involved in the project indicated will be especially relevant following a CBC/Radio-Canada investigation that found allegedly misleading sales practices from one telecom. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already …
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BlackBerry targets Facebook with patent infringement lawsuit
Citing its early developments in timestamp interfaces, encryption technology and blending mobile gaming into mobile messaging, BlackBerry Ltd. has brought a patent lawsuit against Facebook Inc. and its subsidiaries WhatsApp and Instagram in a Los Angeles court, according to documents released on Tuesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …
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LTE open to numerous security flaws: paper
Researchers at American universities have found a number of security vulnerabilities on the 4G LTE network, which could expose citizens to tracking, impersonation and fake text messages. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. …
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Apple gives MPs few answers on iPhone slowdown
OTTAWA — Representatives from Apple Inc. faced down members of the House committee on industry, science and technology on Thursday afternoon, telling MPs that while the company didn’t mean to mislead consumers about its slowing down of some older smartphones, it had learned its lesson about communicating clearly. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers …
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Budget’s cybersec plans invoke questions about transparency: professor
As the federal government announced schemes to bolster Canadian cybersecurity in Tuesday’s budget, with a new strategy and two centralized agencies, legal experts are asking how accountable and effective the organizations will be. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …
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Big Three leveraging wireless networks for digital ID business
Canada’s major telecoms are among the leading players in the creation of a form of identity verification that uses mobile technology to digitally confirm a person’s authenticity. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. …
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Videotron launches free WiFi calling, texting for travellers
Customers of Quebecor Inc.‘s Videotron can now make free voice calls and use text message services over WiFi networks in Canada and when travelling abroad. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial …
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Worldwide smartphone sales dip in Q4: Gartner
Global smartphones saw a year-over-year decline in sales for the first time in the fourth quarter due to a preference for quality feature phones and users holding onto their smartphones longer, according to Gartner Inc. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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U.S. IC chiefs issue warning against Huawei, ZTE devices
The United States Senate Intelligence Committee heard from six high-ranking intelligence community officials who spoke out against the use of telecommunications hardware produced by Chinese companies on Tuesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …
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Bell to unlock all wireless devices on request
BCE Inc. said it will unlock all devices that are restricted to its network, helping relieve concern among consumer groups who are currently asking the CRTC to clarify that policy in the new Wireless Code. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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Canada to test border ID system using blockchain, biometrics
Canada and the Netherlands are teaming up to test a system for identifying travellers at country borders using biometrics, cryptography and blockchain technology. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial …
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‘Technical issue’ hurt Rogers churn during Dec. wireless promos: CEO
Rogers Communications Inc.’s systems had a technical glitch that negatively affected the company as it dealt with a high number of customer requests during an industry-wide promotional frenzy in December, executives said Thursday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …
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Canadian IP, tech targets during gov’t travel: CSIS
In an instructional guide released to government employees, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) recommended high levels of vigilance in protecting personal information during international travel. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take …
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FCC investigating false wireless emergency alert in Hawaii
A false wireless emergency alert that saw residents of Hawaii receive a warning over the weekend that a ballistic missile attack was imminent was “unacceptable,” Ajit Pai, chairman of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), said in a statement. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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NDP calls on Apple to justify software slowdown to MPs
The NDP says silicon valley giant Apple Inc. should speak to a Parliamentary committee about an unpopular change to its mobile operating system that slowed down older devices, but holding the tech giant accountable might not be straightforward, according to an expert. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here …
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Samsung to unlock FM chip in new smartphones
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will unlock FM chips in its newer smartphones, according to a press release issued Tuesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The …
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With the iPhone, Freedom like a ‘new business’: Mehr
Shaw Communications Inc.’s wireless brand may see its strongest quarter yet following the introduction of the iPhone to its roster, the impact of which, the company’s president Jay Mehr said on a conference call with analysts Thursday, has transformed the business. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN …
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Analysts expect Freedom subscriber boost in Q1
After a rollicking December, analysts say Shaw Communications Inc.’s Freedom Mobile has potential to continue its 2017 momentum, though the full impact of its aggressive wireless offers may not be apparent in this week’s quarterly results. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …
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Rogers’ flinch potential source of the $60/10 GB plan standoff: analyst
Rogers Communications Inc. appears to have blinked — which caused a cascade of $60 for 10 GB bring-your-own-device wireless plans — in its ongoing battle for Toronto-based wireless subscribers, according to Canaccord Genuity analyst Aravinda Galappatthige. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …
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House committee backs stricter border device search rules
A parliamentary ethics committee is recommending the government enact into law policies that limit the ability of Canadian and United States border officials to intrusively search electronic devices without reasonable grounds. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …
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Canadian ‘tale of two internets,’ as 25% get online wirelessly: Deloitte
The number of Canadians who get their internet access wirelessly — either through mobile connections or fixed wireless service — will reach 25 per cent in 2018, according to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd.’s predictions for the upcoming year, released Tuesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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Basic wireless plans cheaper, bigger data buckets more expensive: report
While Canadians saw prices for basic mobile phone subscriptions fall, data released by Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada on Tuesday indicated that high-end mobile phone plan prices remained the same or increased between 2016 and 2017, bucking the overall the global trend. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …
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SCC text message ruling clarifies privacy in digital communications
OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada said Friday that a sender of a text message can expect that communication to be private, even when it’s on the recipient’s device, highlighting a broadening perspective of privacy in digital communications — if only for certain cases. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? …
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Smartphone unlocking shouldn’t be limited to current customers: PIAC
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) is urging the CRTC to mandate service providers to unlock devices even if the customer doesn’t have an active account with the provider, in a Part 1 application submitted on Wednesday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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Bell’s low-cost Lucky Mobile a hit with government
BCE Inc’s move to open a low-cost, prepaid carrier is “well-timed” and positioned to support the government’s direction for consumer-friendly mobile options, according to analysts. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a …
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New wireless-extending tech a ‘paradigm shift’ for 5G: federal researchers
OTTAWA — A federal research lab on the outskirts of Canada’s capital has developed a technology that could extend the signals fundamental to ubiquitous wireless connectivity. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take …
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Don’t count on Freedom’s $0 iPhone X offer for long: analyst
Shaw Communications Inc.’s Freedom Mobile announced in a press release Wednesday it will offer the entire 2017 line of Apple Inc.’s iPhone for $0 up front. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take …
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Telus joins Rogers in Wireless Code extension ask
Several telecoms are backing Rogers Communications Inc.’s request for an extension to implement certain requirements of the Wireless Code, suggesting some processes required by the code will take longer than the CRTC initially thought. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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CRTC consulting on new nuisance call blocking proposals
The CRTC launched a consultation Thursday requesting comment on new proposals for how its order to telecoms to block some nuisance calls should be implemented. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a …
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ISED investing in energy-efficient chips for wireless devices
Innovation Canada is putting up $2.2 million for clean technology that is purported to reduce the amount of energy required to power wireless devices. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free …
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90% of Canadians own two or more devices: StatCan
Statistics Canada released its latest General Social Survey (GSS) on Tuesday, which showed that 76 per cent of Canadians now own a smartphone. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial …
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Broadcom puts up $130B US offer for chip maker Qualcomm
Networking giant Broadcom Ltd. announced a proposal to purchase all outstanding shares of mobile chip maker Qualcomm Inc. on Monday morning. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe …
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Cell phone only households predict modern behaviour: MTM
Cell phone only households, meaning those that use only mobile phones and no landline, are growing across Canada and are a good indication of a series of modern habits, said a report published Thursday from the Media Technology Monitor (MTM), a project of CBC/Radio-Canada. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …
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Freedom set to support older iPhones with spectrum rejig, deployment
Shaw Communications Inc. announced Thursday that it would move to redeploy existing spectrum in addition to deploying new spectrum to allow it to support older Apple Inc. iPhones — addressing a shortcoming analysts have pointed to as a limiting factor for the company. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …
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Rogers unfazed by Freedom ‘Big Gig’ offer: CEO
Joe Natale isn’t worried about Shaw Communications Inc.’s move to offer its Freedom customers 10 gigabytes for $50, effectively turning away the idea that the move is a game changer in the industry. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting …
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iPhone X, component shortages lowering phone demand: report
A new report from Gartner Inc. is predicting the Nov. 2017 release of Apple Inc.’s iPhone X combined with component shortages will cause a dip in ability to meet smartphone demand in 2017 and push worldwide mobile phone purchasing into 2018. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN …
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Mobile video viewing at 70%: Ericsson report
Today, approximately 70 per cent of consumers watch TV and video content on their smartphone devices, double the number from 2012, according to the eighth edition of Ericsson AB’s annual ConsumerLab TV and Media report. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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Bring border privacy issues under NAFTA: Geist
Because some aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) raise privacy concerns, the Canadian government should bring border search and related privacy matters to the trade negotiating table, University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist told the committee studying device searches on the border. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a …
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