Quebecor CFO Pruneau to head Videotron

Jean-François Pruneau, Quebecor Inc.’s chief financial officer, has been appointed the new CEO of its Videotron subsidiary, in a move analysts said Monday was positive for the company. 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 …

Videotron selling data centre business

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron is selling its data centre business, 4Degrees Colocation, for $259 million, with the proceeds likely going to fund future spectrum purchases, analysts say. 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 …

Videotron appeals trade tribunal ruling on Bell G7 Summit contracts

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron is appealing a ruling by the Canadian International Trade Tribunal over a procurement complaint the company lodged against the federal government, alleging it sole-sourced G7 Summit-related contract work worth more than $24 million to its main competitor BCE Inc. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here …

Quebecor blames bigger providers for sales practices hearings

GATINEAU — Telecom providers who appeared before the CRTC Thursday said the whole industry shouldn’t face more regulation — which could cost them millions — because of a few bad actors, with some pointing fingers at Canada’s biggest telecom companies. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …

Videotron launching flanker brand ‘Fizz’ in Quebec

A new no-frills mobile service provider called Fizz has emerged in Quebec and is trying to attract new subscribers to test its services at a discount before it officially launches, HuffPost Quebec reported Thursday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …

Videotron appoints new VP of corporate affairs

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron announced the promotion of Élodie Girardin-Lajoie to the position of vice-president of corporate affairs, in a release on 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 news you need. Take a free trial or …

Telus took top speeds in first half of 2018: Ookla

Internet speed test service Speedtest by Ookla announced the mobile network results from the first and second quarters of 2018 in a report on Wednesday, and Telus Corp.’s connection rate takes the crown, with BCE Inc. close behind. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …

MAtv class action suit gets go-ahead

Quebec’s Superior Court will hear a class-action lawsuit related to the MAtv community TV channel operated by Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron. 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 …

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 …

TiVo expands patent suit to include Bell

TiVo Corp. is going after a second Canadian telecom for patent infringement, claiming in a lawsuit filed in Federal Court this month that BCE Inc. is illegally using certain functions for its TV products without a licence. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …

Freedom could drive down incumbents’ ARPU: Desjardins

The past performance of Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron could be key to understanding why Shaw Communications Inc.’s Freedom Mobile has the potential to lower the larger carriers’ average revenue per user (ARPU), according to Desjardins Capital Markets analyst Maher Yaghi. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock …

Gatineau access agreement case continues

The Attorney General of Quebec is appealing an August decision which ruled that a municipal access agreement between the city of Gatineau and telecom providers is invalid. 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. …

Videotron takes Wholesale Code dispute with Rogers to CRTC

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron has filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC over a disagreement with Rogers Communications Inc. concerning carriage of some sports-focused TV channels. 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 …

Telus outpaces Bell in PCMag speed ranking

Telus Corp. has the fastest national wireless network in Canada, according to PCMag.com’s annual study. 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 Wire Report now. FREE TRIAL …

Videotron latest to announce X1-based IPTV

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron will launch its IPTV service using the X1 platform from Comcast Corp., the company said in a press release 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 …

Court rules in favour of telecoms in Gatineau access agreement dispute

The Quebec Superior Court has ruled that aspects of municipal access agreements between telecom providers and Gatineau, Que., are invalid because they impose on Parliament’s jurisdiction over telecommunications. 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 …

Videotron facing patent infringement claim from TiVo

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron is being sued for patent infringement by TiVo Inc. and one of its subsidiaries, on a claim that the Canadian telecom is unlawfully using its intellectual property after failing to renew licences that expired at the end of 2016. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …

Videotron offering extra data to Unlimited Music subscribers

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron is increasing the data limits of wireless customers affected by the upcoming shutdown of its Unlimited Music 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 need. Take a free trial or subscribe …

Antoinette Noviello promoted at Videotron

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron has named Antoinette Noviello vice-president, corporate comptroller. 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 Wire Report now. FREE TRIAL Two weeks free access to …

Philippe Cloutier new Videotron CFO

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron has named Philippe Cloutier its senior vice-president and chief financial officer, the company said in a press release 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 …

Videotron to open up 5G trial project to proposals

MONTREAL — Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron gave an update on the progress of a partnership focused on testing 5G-related technology Wednesday, and announced the project will start accepting submissions from businesses, researchers and the public in the fall. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …

Extension request for Unlimited Music shutdown denied

The CRTC said Thursday it won’t give Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron extra time to shut down its Unlimited Music program. 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 Wire Report now. …

AWS-1 sale unlikely to set precedent for 700MHz: Canaccord

The sale last week of Videotron’s AWS-1 spectrum by Quebecor Inc. to Rogers Communications Inc. isn’t likely to have implications for the company’s 700MHz spectrum, 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 Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …

Quebecor spectrum sale has ‘broad implications’: Barclays

Quebecor Inc. has sold Videotron’s AWS-1 spectrum in the Greater Toronto Area to Rogers Communications Inc., in a move that some analysts say is positive for Quebecor and has implications for future spectrum transfers. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and …

Big three take aim at Videotron customers

BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc. and Telus Corp. are trying to lure customers of Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron with targeted promotions, following a similar offer from Videotron. 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 …

Telus, Videotron lead in wireless network quality: study

Telus Corp. and Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron had the fewest reported problems on their networks in certain regions of the country, according to a new study by J.D. Power. 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 …

Videotron asks for extension on Unlimited Music finale

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron is asking the CRTC for more time to comply with the decision killing its Unlimited Music service last month, when it was found to be out of step with the concurrent decision on differential pricing practices that essentially banned zero-rating. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …

CRTC to review pick-and-pay rollout in Oct.

The CRTC will hold a hearing on a number of broadcast distribution undertakings’ [BDUs] licence renewal applications starting on Oct. 16, which will include looking at how those providers put their pick-and-pay rules in place. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …

Former Videotron customers returning from Bell: Brouillette

Manon Brouillette, president of Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron, downplayed the effect that BCE Inc.’s recent move to deploy fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) to all of Montreal’s homes and businesses would have on the company 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 …

Telecoms to compete on service after zero-rating decision: analysts

The CRTC’s decision Thursday to ban most forms of zero-rating means telecoms will have to rely on service in order to stand out from the competition, analysts said.

CRTC effectively bans most zero-rating in differential pricing decision

As the CRTC banned most forms of differential pricing practices Thursday — including declaring that telecoms can’t pick and chose Internet content to zero-rate and ordering Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron to stop offering its Unlimited Music service — Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais suggested the move levels the playing field between small and large telecoms and content providers and their customers.

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.

Investor concerns about changes at Quebecor ‘overdone’: Huang

Some investors are worried about potential disruptions at Quebecor Inc. following the return of former CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau to the company, though such concern is overblown, said Barclays Capital analyst Phillip Huang.

Videotron offering ‘no downtime’ Internet for businesses

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron has launched an Internet service for its business customers that it says guarantees continuity of service 99.9 per cent of the time by combining its wireline and wireless networks.

Videotron offering full pick-and-pay

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron said in a press release Thursday it’s now making all of its TV channels available on a pick-and-pay basis.

The move means the company is “fully meeting the new CRTC requirements that take effect on December 1,” it noted.

Videotron begins testing ultra-fast Internet

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron said it has begun implementation of Docsis 3.1, which could deliver speeds of up to 10 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload.

The company said in a press release Tuesday it is deploying the Docsis 3.1 modems on its network “and adapting its equipment and working protocols to the new technology.” All that is required is the new modem for the customer and a software upgrade on the network to unlock the new high speeds, the release said.  

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.

Videotron announces testing as 5G gains momentum in Canada

MONTREAL — Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron said Tuesday it will begin to test 5G technologies as part of a new project, in a move that appears to be part of an increasing push toward the next generation of wireless in recent months.  

All carriers will eventually get to 5G, Videotron CEO Manon Brouillette said in an interview following a lunchtime speech at the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.

Shaw primed for Western success with Wind: RBC

Shaw Communications Inc.’s acquisition of Wind has potential for wireless success in Western Canada similar to that of Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron in Quebec, according to RBC Capital Markets’ Drew McReynolds.

In a research note published Friday, McReynolds used the Quebec-based company’s wireless efforts since 2010 as a benchmark against which Shaw might find room to thrive as a wireless carrier.

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.

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.

Videotron to begin offering gigabit service

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron said it will begin offering Internet download speeds of up to 940 Mbps to consumers and business costumers on July 13.

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.

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.

Videotron’s Brouillette asks Liberals to keep 4th player policy for 600 MHz

TORONTO — The Liberal government should continue the previous Conservative government’s push for more competition in the wireless market in the upcoming 600 MHz auction, Manon Brouillette, president and CEO of Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron, said at an industry conference Wednesday.

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.

Mobile service gives Quebecor Q1 revenue boost

Quebecor Inc. reported a five-per-cent increase to revenue in the first quarter of 2016, bringing in $975.4 million compared to $929 million the same period a year earlier.

According to quarterly earnings released Thursday, the company also turned a profit of $354.7 million, which according to adjusted figures was up 4.6 per cent in the three months ending March 31, compared to the same period a year earlier.

CRTC postpones intervention deadline in Videotron music case

The CRTC has moved back the deadline for interventions in an undue preference complaint against a music service offered by Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron.

Videotron 4K box seen as cord-cutting prevention

Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron announced Tuesday it will be releasing an ultra-high-definition (UHD) set-top-box for its customers, making it the first Canadian telecom provider to commercially release such technology.

Videotron said in a press release that the set-top-box processing speed will be 12 times faster than what is currently available in the market, allowing customers to navigate through content choices four times faster, record eight shows simultaneously, and store about 320 hours of standard HD content or 115 hours of UHD content.

Videotron says national wireless expansion depends on CRTC

GATINEAU, Que. — The CEO of Quebecor Inc.'s Videotron told the CRTC Friday that her company needs the regulator to lower the legislated rate for domestic roaming if it is to build a national alternative to the incumbent wireless carriers.

Manon Brouillette asked the commission to place its own cap on domestic roaming charges below the retail-based cap the government brought into force in June.

Videotron wins right to broadcast channel in digital only

On Wednesday the CRTC approved a move by Quebecor Inc.'s Videotron to drop the analog broadcast of TV channel ICI, an ethnic station from Montreal.

The channel had originally signed a contract with Videotron for digital-only service, yet when the channel was launched it asked to be broadcast in the Montreal region by analog as well and Videotron was compelled to comply by the conditions of its broadcast licence.

Now, the CRTC has amended that licence to exempt Videotron from being compelled to broadcast ICI in analog.

Hugues Simard Videotron’s new SVP, CFO

Quebecor Inc. subsidiary Videotron has named Hugues Simard as its new senior vice-president and chief financial officer.

The company said in a press release Thursday that Simard will be responsible for the “execution of Videotron's financial plan and will play a key role in achieving its business objectives in a fiercely competitive environment.”

Simard has been with Quebecor since 1998 and served as chief financial officer of its Sun Media division from 2011 until this year, the release added.

Pay-per-view could stick around or go the way of the VHS

In 1985, a Los Angeles Times article explained that U.S. TV providers were planning to compete with “the burgeoning home-video business” that had “savaged” them by launching national pay-per-view (PPV) networks, which the Times explained was a “relatively new technology” allowing viewers to order programs much in the same way as “they buy movie theater tickets--or as they rent videocassettes.”

Videotron offers faster Internet speeds at similar prices

Quebecor Inc.'s Videotron said Wednesday it has revamped its high-speed Internet plans to offer, in some cases, double the speed at a similar price.

The company said in a press release it was doing this through its new Fibre Hybrid service, which its website says is available throughout Quebec.

It said customers that had been subscribing to Internet plans giving them download speeds of 15 or 30 megabits per second could double their speeds at "virtually the same price."

Rogers offers deep mobile discount in Quebec

Rogers Communications Inc. slashed its prices by more than 40 per cent on one of its wireless plans in Quebec after the recent announcement that Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron would begin offering the Apple Inc.’s iPhone, an industry analyst has noted.

Videotron’s MYtv launch delayed by year

A complaint against Quebecor Inc. subsidiary Videotron Ltd.’s French-language community channel MAtv is holding up the launch of its English-language equivalent, MYtv.

Peggy Tabet, Videotron’s senior director of broadcasting and regulatory affairs, said in a phone interview Monday that the launch of the channel will be delayed about a year after the initial launch date, which had been planned for this June.

Group wants to launch new Montreal community channel instead of Videotron

A coalition of activists and community broadcasters are asking the CRTC to postpone its decision on Videotron Ltd.’s application for a new English-language community TV station in Montreal to allow them to prepare their own competing application.

Incumbents, Videotron, to build Montreal metro network

BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc., Telus Corp. and Quebecor Inc. subsidiary Videotron are teaming up to build a mobile network in Montreal’s underground metro system.

According to a release Wednesday from the Société de transport de Montréal (STM), which operates the city’s public transit system, the four providers will equally share the estimated $50 million cost of building the network.

Illico online TV service reaches 50,000 subs

More than 50,000 users have signed up for Videotron Ltd.’s illico Club Unlimited video-on-demand and mobile TV service, the company said in a release Thursday.

Rogers-Videotron deal expected to be first test of new spectrum transfer rules

Rogers Communications Inc.’s proposed deal for Videotron Ltd.’s unused Toronto-area spectrum is expected to give incumbent mobile providers the first indication of whether they can obtain new entrant spectrum after a five-year moratorium expires, industry analysts say.

Videotron launches online music channel

Videotron, a subsidiary of Quebecor Inc., launched a new online music channel called En visite chez ZIK for its illico.tv app.

The channel, which will feature interviews and performances, will be available on the company's illico.tv service and mobile applications for Videotron subscribers, a release said.

ZIK is a music streaming service owned by Quebecor.

CBC/Radio Canada also offers English and French online music services, CBC Music and Espace Musique.