CRTC, FCC sign new anti-nuisance call agreement

The CRTC announced Thursday a new memorandum of understanding with its counterpart in the United States to help combat unwanted calls.

In a press release, the CRTC said the new formal agreement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “will enable the CRTC and the FCC to facilitate research and education related to robocalls and illegitimate caller ID spoofing.”

Infrastructure, spectrum key to competition, lower prices: Bains

OTTAWA — The quality of Canada’s wireless and wireline networks is a “significant strength,” but the country can’t rest on its laurels while others catch up, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains told attendees of the International Institute of Communications’ (IIC) Canadian conference Thursday morning.

Huawei declined to make Google Pixel: report

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. refused to make Alphabet Inc.’s new phone because the phone wouldn’t have featured Huawei’s own brand, according to a Monday Forbes report.  

Colin Giles, Huawei’s vice-president of the consumer business group, said Google wanted exclusive branding on its new phone and that Huawei was not willing to make phones that didn’t promote its own brand, according to the article.

Half a billion subscribers will be on 5G by 2022: Ericsson

An Ericsson AB report is projecting that more than 550 million subscribers will be on 5G networks by 2022.  

The latest Ericsson Mobility Report, released Tuesday, said that two years after it becomes available in 2020, 5G will cover 10 per cent of the world’s population.

Sasktel ties for fastest LTE speeds in the world: OpenSignal

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp.’s LTE download speeds are among the fastest in the world, according to a new OpenSignal Inc. report.

“In the fourth quarter, Singapore had the fastest networks by far, averaging 37 Mbps, and two of its operators [Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.] and [StarHub Ltd.] joined Canada’s SaskTel in vying for the title of world’s fastest operator,” the report, released Nov. 10, said.

Could telecom be next after new airline foreign ownership rules?

Industry watchers said last week’s announcement by the federal government that it was loosening foreign ownership rules for Canadian airlines probably isn’t indicative of a coming shift for other protected industries like telecommunications—but they’re not willing to completely rule it out.

Wireless service for eastern regions with no cellular coverage launching

Small Quebec telecom Télécommunications de l’Est says it is launching a first-of-its kind wireless service in remote regions of Quebec and New Brunswick that aren’t served by cellular networks.

It said in a French press release Tuesday its “Nomade” wireless network uses very high frequency (VHF) spectrum, which is spectrum in the 30 MHz to 300 MHz range, and tier 3 digital mobile radio protocol.

CRTC orders telecoms to develop tools for blocking nuisance calls

Telecom companies will soon be required to put in place measures to block “unwanted nuisance calls” on both wireless and wireline networks, the CRTC announced Monday.

Telus Q3 continues industry-wide trend of strong wireless

Telus Corp. reported strong wireless revenues and subscriber additions Friday, as data helped propel overall revenues up to $3.23 billion.   

For the three months ended September 30, the company’s overall revenues were slightly higher, with a 2.6 per cent increase, than the $3.15 billion it earned in the same quarter last year. Net income, however, was down slightly by 2.7 per cent to $355 million against the comparable period last year.

MTS looking for savings as it awaits Bell takeover

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. will cut about 80 jobs to save about $7 million following a voluntary workforce reduction program “for certain employees who are not in customer-facing roles,” the company announced as it reported its third quarter results Wednesday.

Bell announces 1M+ Crave TV subs, Fibe on Apple TV

BCE Inc. reported Thursday that its over-the-top (OTT) product Crave TV has surpassed one million subscribers, as it announced its Internet protocol TV (IPTV) service Fibe TV is getting distribution through Apple Inc.’s TV service.

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

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

Canadian investors to acquire international telecom

A Canadian investment group has announced its intention to purchase the majority share in a United States-based telecommunications company, Trilogy International Partners, which has services in New Zealand and Bolivia.

According to the release, Alignvest Acquisition Corp. is a special purpose acquisition corporation “formed for the purpose of effecting an acquisition of one or more businesses or assets.” 

CRTC launches proceeding on VOIS CCTS membership termination

The CRTC is giving VOIS Inc. an opportunity to defend itself after its membership in the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) was terminated this summer.   

Zero-rating regime should be similar to ITMP framework: CNOC

GATINEAU — On the first day of the CRTC’s hearing on differential pricing practices, a consortium representing small telecoms asked the CRTC to allow but regulate the practice of zero-rating, though CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais questioned how zero-rated categories would be determined under such a regime.

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

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

Court order gives OPP cell numbers for ‘new investigation technique’

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said it has obtained the cell phone numbers of potential witnesses of a homicide through a court-processed production order.

In a news release Wednesday, the OPP said wireless providers were compelled to provide the numbers so it can send texts to people who were in the vicinity of the last known location of 65-year-old Frederick Hatch, who was last seen alive in Ottawa on Dec. 16, 2015, his body discovered a day later. 

Canadians’ data usage increased 40% last year, CRTC says

Data usage by Canadians on both wireline and wireless networks rose significantly last year, hitting 104 GB per month for residential Internet and almost 1 GB for wireless subscribers, the CRTC said in the second part of its Communications Monitoring Report, released Wednesday.

“Data usage increased by 44 [per cent] for wireless and approximately 40 [per cent] for residential Internet services from 2014 to 2015,” the commission said in a press release. 

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

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

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

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

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

Federal appeal court to reconsider Bell prepaid lawsuit

The Ontario Court of Appeal has been ordered to reconsider a class-action lawsuit against BCE Inc. involving the expiration of prepaid account contracts.

The Supreme Court of Canada said Thursday the lower court must revisit the case in light of its decision in contracts case Ledcor Construction Ltd. v. Northbridge Indemnity Insurance Co., which came after the appeal court denied the Bell Mobility suit.

T-Mobile dinged $48M for ‘unlimited’ data claims

T-Mobile US Inc. has been ordered to pay a $48-million settlement following an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) into its advertised “unlimited” data plans.

In press release Wednesday, the FCC’s enforcement bureau said T-Mobile’s policy allowed “it to slow down data speeds when T-Mobile or [flanker brand] MetroPCS customers on so-called ‘unlimited’ pans exceed a monthly data threshold.”

Some concern about delay in Natale start date: analysts

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

Rogers profit down 53% after Shomi write-down

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

Canada needs to get on the digital wave or get left behind: Cisco rep

TORONTO — Most Canadian businesses are not prepared for the next wave of digital innovation and there needs to be a collaborative effort to help them adapt, a Cisco Systems Inc. representative told a conference on Thursday.

National strategy on IoT needed: analyst

TORONTO — A national strategy on Internet of Things (IoT) technology, involving businesses, academia and the government, should be developed in Canada to help the country compete, a conference heard Wednesday.

Currently, Canada does not have a true national strategy for IoT, whereas the United States and the United Kingdom have invested in such initiatives, Isabel Chapman, principal analyst at the U.K.-based Machina Research, said on a panel discussing the competitive landscape in Canada at the annual Connected Plus conference in Toronto.

Rogers Unison expands to bigger businesses

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

Trump consulting with Eisenach on telecom policy: reports

United States presidential candidate Donald Trump is looking to consultant Jeffrey Eisenach for advice on telecom policy, according to media reports.

Politico reported last week, citing anonymous sources, that Eisenach is a new aide for the Trump campaign. It described him as a “crusader against regulation” who argued for a hands-off approach from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Samsung stops sales, production of Note 7

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. has stopped sales of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.

The company said in a statement Tuesday it is “working with relevant regulatory bodies to investigate the recently reported cases involving the Galaxy Note7. Because consumers’ safety remains our top priority, Samsung will ask all carrier and retail partners globally to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note7 while the investigation is taking place.”

Rogers intros wireless data controls ahead of Wireless Code review

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

5G trials reach nearly 30 Gbps: Telus

New 5G tests by Telus Corp. and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. revealed that the next generation of wireless technology has hit speeds that are 200 times faster than the current LTE standard.

Satellite service restored after outage

Telecom services affected by a satellite outage in have been restored after an “anomaly” powered down communications Sunday night.

Ottawa-based Telesat Holdings Inc., which operates the affected Anik F2 satellite, said in a press release early Monday afternoon that “the satellite is performing normally and all of its subsystems appear healthy” after the “highly unusual” incident.

Open infrastructure category to include digital: ITAC

The Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) is recommending that telecommunications networks be included in the federal government’s definition of infrastructure to help spur their expansion and development.

CRTC launches video relay service, will keep an eye on data usage

GATINEAU, Que. — The first national video relay service (VRS) for hearing-impaired Canadians launched Wednesday, with the CRTC and companies involved in the project saying they’ll keep an eye on how much bandwidth it uses. 

BlackBerry to outsource all hardware development

BlackBerry Ltd. will “end all internal hardware development and will outsource that function to partners,” the company said in a press release Wednesday.

It also said that it signed a licensing agreement with Indonesia’s BB Merah Putih, a joint venture led by an affiliate of Indonesia’s largest wireless carrier, Telekomunikasi Indonesia.

Iristel to roll out ehealth project

Iristel Inc. and its subsidiary Ice Wireless are rolling out a northern ehealth initiative in partnership with an Ontario-based health products company.

In a Tuesday press release, Iristel said that it was teaming up with Pharmaceutical Innovation Ltd. “to offer advanced telehealth services to rural and isolated Arctic and sub-Arctic areas, including amenities not yet available on other wireless networks across Canada.”

Shaw best-positioned carrier, regardless of Liberal policy: Barclays

Shaw Communications Inc. is “the one player in the industry who is very well positioned” regardless of the direction the Liberal government takes on wireless policy, Barclays Capital analyst Phillip Huang said in a research note Monday.

Ottawa U study uses mystery shoppers to test Wireless Code

OTTAWA — Researchers at the University of Ottawa say the preliminary results of a small mystery shopper test found some wireless providers are leaving some potential customers ill-informed about their choices.

The study, the first of its kind conducted by researchers from the university’s law and information studies departments, was presented at a session at the school on Thursday.

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.

Data consumption, competitive pressures headline investor conference

Canada’s biggest telcos told investors Wednesday that they are seeing growth in wireless data usage on the first of a two-day conference hosted by CIBC World Markets.

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.

Wireline competition, pick-and-pay could pressure telecoms in 2017: Canaccord

Certain events leading into 2017 could spell increased pressure on telecommunications companies, but there’s “not much to be excited about” otherwise, according to Canaccord Genuity.

In a note Monday, Canaccord analyst Aravinda Galappatthige said “apart from the fact that the impact of the double cohort should ease,” he does “not see many catalysts that can significantly improve the fundamentals” in the telecom sector.  

New iPhone driving discounts for older models: Barclays

Carriers are capitalizing on demand for Apple Inc.’s new iPhone with heavy discounts on older models, according to Barclays Capital.

Despite a $400 price tag for the 32GB iPhone on a two-year contract and still higher prices for the larger storage models — due largely to the weaker Canadian dollar —the pre-order supplies across Canada “have now largely sold out,” according to the Monday’s note by analyst Phillip Huang.

Innovation, cybersecurity, CanCon on agenda as Parliament resumes

After 13 weeks off from the Parliament Hill routine, MPs returned en masse to Ottawa Monday for the start of the House of Commons’ fall session, where the stage is set for forward momentum on the Liberal government’s yet-to-be defined telecom policy — but don’t expect any major revelations just yet.

Canada 66th for mobile broadband subscriptions: ITU

Canada’s position among countries with mobile broadband subscriptions dropped last year, going from the 47th spot in 2014 to 66th place in 2015, according to a new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report.

Telecom affordability a growing gap for low-income Canadians: report

The digital divide for low-income Canadians will continue to grow unless there’s a national plan to address making communications services affordable and available for that demographic, said a new report from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).

Rogers logging in to Twitter for customer care

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

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

Telus to offer free WiFi in some Toronto cabs

Telus Corp. will offer free WiFi to customers of Toronto taxi company Associated Toronto Taxicab Co-operative Ltd., following a similar partnership with a cab company in Vancouver established last year.

Telus said in a press release that Co-op Cabs will begin offering free WiFi Monday, and that the service will be available in all of its cars by the end of the year.

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.

Bell has fastest wireless network again: report

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

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

Telecoms need to be ‘proactive’ with video development: report

Telecom service providers should look towards improving video quality across their networks if they want to increase customer loyalty, according to a new joint report from Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and Ovum, a technology research and advisory company.

CRTC limits special number porting zone to Vancouver

The CRTC has approved one but rejected another application on number portability.

On Friday, the regulator released its decision on an application by Telus Corp. to “establish a special location porting zone (LPZ) within the Metro Vancouver area” so that residential and business subscribers can keep their phone numbers as they move within the area.

Small-player competition helps boost Internet speeds: Speedtest

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

Ice Wireless boosting northern LTE network

Ice Wireless, a subsidiary of Iristel Inc., said it is rolling out a HSPA/LTE network in 14 northern Quebec communities.

A Tuesday press release from Tecore Networks, which supplies mobile network infrastructure, said the U.S.-based company’s Network-in-a-Box platform was picked by Iristel for the rollout.

CRTC consulting on disconnection practices

The CRTC is requesting comment on whether regulatory measures are required to prevent service interruptions after a dispute between two telecommunications providers in January.

30M tuning in to Olympics: CBC

The first 10 days of Olympic coverage were watched by about 30.4 million Canadians “across all networks and platforms,” CBC/Radio-Canada said Tuesday.

The ongoing Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, garnered peak eyeballs on Sunday, when 20.4 million Canadians tuned in, CBC said in a press release, with seven million alone tuning in for the men’s 100-metre running final.

Canada in top 10 for mobile networks: OpenSignal

Canadian wireless users have access to 3G or 4G networks 93.16 per cent of the time, placing the country in the 10th spot for 3G/4G availability, according to a new OpenSignal report.

In its Global State of Mobile Networks report, the U.K.-based company that analyzes mobile performance built upon the previous six editions of its Global LTE Report –which tracks 4G performance internationally – by including 3G since “dozens of countries have yet to launch their first 4G service and many others are only in the infancy of their LTE rollouts.”

Password disclosure law up for ‘public discussion’: Goodale

OTTAWA — The federal minister of public safety indicated Wednesday a willingness to engage with a freshly passed resolution from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) calling for a law to compel people to hand over passwords to devices seized under a search warrant.

Dan Mead joins TerreStar board

The former president and CEO of Verizon Communications Inc.’s wireless division has signed on with the board of directors of a Canadian mobile satellite provider.

Dan Mead, who recently retired from Verizon, is joining Quebec-based TerreStar Solutions Inc.’s board, the company announced in a Tuesday press release.

FTTH rollout crucial for affordability in long-term: report

The deployment of fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks will be an important step for improving affordability of communications services in the long-term, according to a report commissioned by the CRTC.

“In the longer term, technological and business process innovations that reduce costs and improve quality appear to be critical for enhancing affordability of access to products and services that are now considered necessities,” the report read.

TV still golden in multi-platform Olympic coverage: experts

While digital and mobile options for watching the Summer Olympics are gaining in popularity and engagement, television continues to own the podium for the Canadian outlet broadcasting the two-week multi-sport tournament happening now in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Quebec court approves class action suit over data charges

Quebec’s highest court has ruled that a class-action lawsuit against wireless carriers over international roaming charges can proceed.

Louise St-Pierre leaving Cogeco Connexion

The head of Cogeco Inc.’s Canadian division is retiring after more than 17 years with the company, the company announced Friday.

Louise St-Pierre, Cogeco Connexion president and CEO, will step down as of Sept. 1, but remain with the company in an advisory role until the end of November, Cogeco said in a press release.

Canada outranks peers in wireless prices: report

Canadians continue to pay among the highest prices internationally for wireless and broadband Internet services, according to a new report comparing telecom service prices released Thursday by the CRTC.

The ninth annual study was completed in January and February of this year by Nordicity and ranks Canadian prices among those offered by carriers in the G7 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Italy, Germany and France) and Australia.

CRTC suspends deadlines in PIAC’s Bill 74 complaint

The CRTC has suspended all deadlines in a Part 1 application by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) that challenges the constitutionality of a Quebec law forcing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block some online gambling websites.

The commission said in a letter dated Aug. 5 that it was suspending the deadlines and asked interested parties “not to file any further comments at this time.”

“Further procedural direction regarding PIAC’s application will be provided by the Commission in the near future,” the letter added.

Text messages not private once sent: Appeals Court

Ontario Appeals Court judges have ruled that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy for text messages once they’ve been sent, according to a recent decision.

Last month, a majority decision ruled that Nour Marakah, who was convicted of multiple firearms offences that were “ultimately dependant on the contents of text messages” between Marakah and his former co-accused, Andrew Winchester, couldn’t challenge the evidence obtained from Winchester’s phone, even though evidence from his own phone was ruled as inadmissible.

CRTC allowing off-tariff GSM agreements, for now

The CRTC has determined that a hands-off approach to regulating roaming rates on GSM networks until it approves a final set of guidelines would not put smaller carriers in a negotiating disadvantage with larger ones.

The regulator drew that conclusion in a decision on Friday, stating that negotiations on GSM roaming pricing are optional and if a smaller carrier does not agree with the terms, “ it can use a Commission-approved default tariff that contains rates, terms, and conditions that are just and reasonable.”

Federal gov’t facing second legal battle over wireless wipeout

The Canadian government could end up fighting a war on two fronts over the previous government’s drive to have four national wireless carriers.

According to a notice on the Global Affairs Canada website, on June 6 the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes registered an arbitration request from Egyptian telecom company Global Telecom Holdings S.A.E. (GTH) that “concerns GTH’s investment in Wind Mobile, over the period of 2008-2014.”

Telus reports higher revenues despite Alberta challenges

Telus Corp.’s revenues in the three months ended June 30 were up 1.5 per cent to $3.15 billion, compared to $3.1 billion a year earlier, the company reported Friday.

It said in a press release the increase was “driven by continued higher data revenue and subscriber additions in both wireless and wireline operations.”

MTS improves wireless churn, but still feeling double-cohort effect

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. said it made improvements to its post-paid wireless churn for the third consecutive quarter, though its total wireless subscribers were still down from a year ago, as it reported higher earnings numbers Wednesday evening.

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.

SaskTel sale to Telus ‘logical’: Barclays

Telus Corp. would be the “logical buyer” of Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp., according to Barclays Capital.

Ahead of Telus’s second-quarter earnings report Friday, analyst Phillip Huang said in a Wednesday note that “while we expect an auction would draw significant interest, we believe it would make financial/strategic sense for Telus to acquire the asset, given its adjacent footprint.”

Ehealth is growing, but market size still unknown

MONTREAL — In recent years, Canadians have gained the ability to keep track of data contributing to their health — from steps walked to their heart rate to calories burned — in a way that would have been impossible before the emergence of fitness trackers and smartphone apps.

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.

Telecom groups launch new opposition to FCC net neutrality rules

First Canadian 5G trial wraps up

BCE Inc. and Nokia Corp. have completed a trial of 5G technology, which they say is the first such initiative in Canada.

“Conducted at Bell's Wireless Innovation Centre in Mississauga, the trial leveraged spectrum in the 73 GHz range to achieve sustained data speeds more than [six] times faster than top 4G mobile speeds now available in Canada,” Bell said in a press release Friday.

CRTC opens Wireless Code review