BlackBerry boss takes aim at Netflix in neutrality battle

BlackBerry Ltd. CEO John Chen said the battle for net neutrality in the United States should not only focus on service providers' traffic management practices, but should also include companies, such as Netflix Inc., that create content distributed through the Internet.

Documents show Samsung interested in BlackBerry: report

Documents indicate Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is still interested in buying device maker BlackBerry Ltd. despite denials from both companies that a deal was in the works, the Financial Post reported on Thursday.

The newspaper said it has obtained a report by U.S. investment bank Evercore Partners prepared for Samsung that outlines the case for making a BlackBerry purchase.

Americans want wireless exceptions to net neutrality: survey

Most Americans say mobile communications should be treated differently than wireline connections when it comes to enforcing net neutrality principles, according to recently released survey.

A poll commissioned by CTIA-The Wireless Association, which represents wireless-related companies in the United States and elsewhere, found 78 per cent of respondents support different regulations for net neutrality imposed on mobile than wired Internet services, the organization said in a press release Friday.

Prepare for automated vehicles now: Conference Board

Automated vehicles are about to become the most disruptive near-term technology in the average person's life, the Conference Board of Canada said in report released Wednesday.

The research group said the impact of driverless cars will be even more substantial than other technologies coming in future years, such as 3D printing and 5G wireless technology.

Ex-Microsoft exec calls out wireless industry on radiation issues

OTTAWA — The former president of Microsoft Corp.'s Canadian operations is calling on companies involved in wireless technology to be more forthcoming in addressing what he says are health risks associated with exposure to signals transmitted from various devices.

Wireless competition to intensify this year: analyst

Competition in the wireless market will “likely intensify” in the next six months, Barclays analyst Phillip Huang said in a research note Monday.

Bell provides more data in roaming plans

BCE Inc. said Friday it is now providing up to double the data for international roaming plans.

In a press release, it said an example of its new offerings include boosting the quantity of data for data passes for Group 1 areas to 100 MB from 50 MB, while maintaining the $30 price. Group 1 includes most western European countries and countries such as Mexico, Australia, China and Israel. The Group 1 package for $75 now provides 300 MB.

Wind promotion seen as shot against Mobilicity

Wind Mobile's offer of free wireless service to customers of Mobilicity, with unlimited data, text and calls for six months, could be an offensive move to help clear away competition for set-aside spectrum in the upcoming AWS-3 auction, analysts say.

Cogeco creating public WiFi hotspots from people’s homes

Cogeco Cable Inc. has quietly rolled out home spotting, or the use of multi-signal routers in people's homes to provide both private WiFi signals to residents and separate public signals to visitors or those in the vicinity, according to CEO Louis Audet.

Audet said in phone interview that Cogeco “started doing it in a modest way” a few months ago.

BlackBerry denies acquisition talks with Samsung

BlackBerry Ltd. has denied a report it has held talks with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. about an acquisition.

“BlackBerry has not engaged in discussions with Samsung with respect to any possible offer to purchase BlackBerry,” the company said in a press release Wednesday. “BlackBerry's policy is not to comment on rumours or speculation, and accordingly it does not intend to comment further.”

Glentel shareholders approve Bell buyout

Wireless product retailer Glentel Inc. said Monday that its shareholders have approved a deal to be bought out by BCE Inc.

Enterprise to assume bigger role in technology adoption: Deloitte

After a decade of consumers being the trendsetters in the adoption of emerging technology, the enterprise sector will take on a bigger role in 2015 as leaders in the use of cutting-edge IT products, according to a new report from Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd.

Rogers, RCMP at odds on surveillance fees: report

The RCMP is fighting efforts by Rogers Communications Inc. to recover fees for the company's work helping law-enforcement officials track suspected criminals, the Canadian Press reported Monday.

The wire service, citing documents attained through an access-to-information request, said RCMP officials claimed in a June briefing note there is no legal basis for Rogers' plan to implement fees for using cellphone data to track suspects' locations or preparing affidavits that explain mobile phone records in court.

Unlicensed spectrum eyed for easing wireless capacity crunch

As data consumption by smartphone users increases exponentially every year, wireless technology companies are looking to harness the unlicensed spectrum normally used for WiFi connections to improve cellular performance.

Redline gets $2.6M contract for Mideast network

Redline Communications Group Inc., a Markham, Ont.-based provider of wireless network technology for the oil-and-gas industry, announced on Thursday a $2.6-million contract with an unnamed oil producer in the Middle East.

Redline said in a press release the agreement was for the first phase of a wireless network that will facilitate automated processes for hundreds of oil wells.

Most seniors not adopting smartphones: survey

While a majority of senior anglophone Canadians have cellphones, a minority have smartphones, according to a new report from Media Technology Monitor (MTM).

The report, released Wednesday, showed 63 per cent of anglophone Canadians 69 or older had cellphones, compared to 88 per cent of those younger than 69. It found that 18 per cent of seniors had smartphones, while 72 per cent of non-seniors have such technology.

The report also said 20 per cent of seniors had tablets, compared to 46 per cent of non-seniors who had them.

Mobile Internet time surpasses computer access: report

Canadians are now spending more time accessing the Internet from mobile devices than from computers, the Canadian Press reported Wednesday, based on the latest data from ComScore Inc.

A CP article said ComScore figures show 51 per cent of the time Canadians spend accessing the Internet, they are doing so using a cellphone or tablet, compared to 49 per cent of time they spend going online using a computer. That is short of the 61 per cent of Internet access in the United States that comes from mobile devices, the report added.

U.S. workers say landline phones more important than cellphones

Recently released results of a survey for the Pew Research Center showed U.S. workers ranked landline phones as more important for their jobs than cellphones but less important than email and the Internet.

The Pew report, released Dec. 30, showed email ranked as "very important" to the jobs of 61 per cent of respondents. That was followed by the Internet at 54 per cent, landline phones at 35 per cent, cell and smartphones at 24 per cent, and social networking sites at four per cent.

WhatsApp reports more than 700M users

WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum said on a Facebook post Tuesday that the service now has more than 700 million active monthly users, up from 450 million when Facebook Inc. announced its intention to purchase the mobile-messaging-app company last February.

"Additionally, every day our users now send over 30 billion messages," Koum said in his social media entry.

Verizon CEO dismisses report about AOL purchase

Verizon Communications Inc.'s CEO on Tuesday denied it is interested in purchasing AOL Inc., despite a report suggesting it was exploring this option.

Several news agencies reported Lowell McAdam denied such speculation during a presentation at the Citi Media Conference in Las Vegas. CNet reported that McAdam said a partnership with AOL is possible, but not an acquisition.

Glentel purchase could help Bell, Rogers avoid competition: analysts

A deal announced Christmas Eve to split the ownership of wireless retailer Glentel Inc. between BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. will help the incumbent carriers stave off competition from a potential fourth national wireless player in Canada, according to analysts.

Q&A: Talking IoT with Telus

The coming year is poised bring about new developments and changes in the worlds of technology and telecommunications. While a number these twists and turns will seemingly come out of nowhere, at least one predictable trend is that the so-called Internet of Things (IoT) will grow as a market and a presence in people's lives.

AWS-3 auction set for March 3, consultation starts on 600 MHz

Industry Canada on Thursday announced March 3 as the date for the beginning of the AWS-3 auction and proposed policy changes to make 600 MHz, AWS-4 and 3500 MHz spectrum available for mobile use in the near future.

CRTC, spectrum auctions among major wireless issues for 2015: analysts

As the new year approaches, Canadian wireless carriers of all sizes await a CRTC decision on domestic roaming that could, in the words of one analyst, “disrupt” the industry with wide-ranging consequences for two upcoming spectrum auctions and beyond.

Moore to make announcement on wireless

Industry Minister James Moore will announce “new measures to deliver more choice, lower prices and better service in Canada's wireless industry” on Thursday, according to a press release.

Industry Canada said in the release Moore would make the announcement in Vancouver at 1 p.m. PT, or 4 p.m. ET.

Rogers applies to block Bell purchase of Glentel

Rogers Communications Inc. has filed an application before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice to block the purchase of mobile products retailer Glentel Inc. by BCE Inc.

T-Mobile to allow customers to roll over data

U.S. wireless carrier T-Mobile US Inc. announced on Tuesday that it would allow customers to store unused data as part of their monthly plans in a "Data Stash" to be available to them any time for up to a year.

The company said in a press release that this option will be provided free to subscribers of its plans featuring 3 GB or more of LTE data for smartphones and 1 GM or more for tablets. It added that these stashes will be topped up with 10 GB of free LTE data once they launch in January.

Apple ordered to provide records to Competition Bureau

OTTAWA — Apple Inc.'s Canadian subsidiary has been ordered by the Federal Court to hand over records and other relevant information to help the Competition Bureau determine whether the technology company has engaged in anti-competitive practices with Canadian wireless carriers.

However, Apple's willingness to comply is in question, according the remarks made Wednesday by bureau lawyer Derek Leschinsky during the court hearing where the bureau's request was granted.

EDC provides $850M US in financing to Vodafone

Export Development Canada (EDC), a federal Crown corporation that loans money to foreign companies doing business with Canadian companies, said Tuesday it has loaned $850 million US to British-based telecommunications service provider Vodafone Group PLC.

EDC said in a press release that the financing deal "will generate important connections and new business for many Canadian companies." The release noted that Vodafone is an "important" customer of BlackBerry Ltd.

Wi-Lan buys patents for device chargers

Wi-Lan Inc., an Ottawa-based licenser of technology patents, said Monday it has acquired a portfolio of patents related to power inversion, which is a technology used for chargers of cellphones, tablets and laptops.

The company would not specify what products these patents cover and what actions it would take as a result of this new intellectual property.

Global smartphone sales up 20% in Q3: Gartner

Global smartphone sales to end users were up 20.3 per cent worldwide in this year's third quarter compared to a year earlier, technology research company Gartner Inc. said Monday.

The company said in a press release that smartphone sales amounted to 301 million in the third quarter. It said feature-phone sales were down 25 per cent, which made the overall mobile-phone market flat in the third quarter with 455.8 million sales.  A shrinking price gap between feature phones and Android-powered smartphones was cited as the reason for the trend.

Telecoms said intercept capabilities would be standard: Geist

Canadian telecom service providers told the government that surveillance capabilities would soon become a normal feature of their networks, according to an Ottawa academic.

Top court upholds evidence in warrantless cellphone search

The Supreme Court of Canada on Thursday upheld the conviction of a man for armed robbery in a case where evidence gathered from his cellphone without a warrant was used in the trial against him.

Kevin Fearon challenged his conviction on the grounds that his Charter rights against unreasonable search and seizure had been violated.

Apple, IBM launch business application suite

Apple Inc. and International Business Machines (IBM) Corp. on Wednesday announced a new suite of business applications and cloud services for iPad and iPhone users.

The companies said in a press release that IBM MobileFirst for iOS includes applications tailored for use in telecommunications, banking, retail, insurance, financial services, air travel and government.

Privacy commish backs stricter privacy safeguards for apps

Canadian Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien has joined 22 other privacy authorities from Canadian provinces and international jurisdictions calling on mobile-app marketplaces to require easily accessible privacy policies from developers of apps that collect personal information from users.

Telus launches IoT marketplace

Telus Corp. said Wednesday it has launched Canada's "first Internet of Things marketplace" with an online offering of 38 different applications, and more to come, for business operations ranging from transportation to restaurants.

The company said in a press release its new online platform, the Telus IoT Marketplace, gives developers of IoT technology "an instant sales channel," with support in marketing and billing from Telus.

Government could ease up on spectrum transfers: Ghose

A Federal Court judge has affirmed the government's authority to block transfers of wireless spectrum whenever it sees fit, though at least one telecom analyst says the government's reluctance to let incumbents accumulate airwaves from rival companies could change over time.

Last week, Judge Roger Hughes threw out Telus Corp.'s challenge to the authority of the industry minister to rule on transfers of spectrum between companies as a result of acquisitions even after pre-set moratoriums on selling spectrum have expired.

Bell upgrades wireless service in North

BCE Inc. said Monday it has launched 4G satellite wireless service in four Northwest Territories communities.

Xplornet claims to have fastest rural fixed-wireless Internet

Xplornet Communications Inc. on Wednesday announced 25 Mbps service on fixed-wireless Internet service in rural parts of New Brunswick, making its service the fastest among comparable products in Canada.

CRTC urged to look toward future on wireline regulation

GATINEAU, Que. — On Wednesday, the first day of replies in the CRTC’s wholesale wireline hearing, the regulator was consistently asked to look to the future in determining how best to regulate Canada's fibre and copper connections. Yet the groups presenting before the commission differed on what that future entails.

Roam Mobility extends coverage to Mexico

Roam Mobility Inc., a provider of SIM cards for out-of-Canada mobile usage, said Tuesday it has extended its service to Mexico.

The Vancouver-based company said in a press release that, starting Dec. 10, it will offer seven-day plans for Mexico that range from $25 for 50 minutes of talk, 50 sent texts and 50 MB of data, to $125 for 200 minutes of talk, 200 sent texts and 200 MB of data. Roam said such rates are up to 95 per cent less than roaming charges from major carriers.

Wireless data spending to surge next year: IDC

Wireless data will be the biggest and fastest-growing segment of global telecommunications spending next year, technology research firm International Data Corp. said Tuesday.

Many businesses unprepared for cyber threats: Cisco

A large proportion of Canadian businesses are unprepared for cyber threats, Cisco Systems Inc. said Tuesday, particularly as new processes emerge with growth in mobile and cloud-based technology.

Cisco said in a press release that a survey found that about 60 per cent of businesses polled either had no security strategy in place to protect their networks, were unsure whether existing strategies took into account evolving technological trends or did not have plans that protect against new and emerging technological realities.

DHX reaches deal to buy Nerd Corps

DHX Media Ltd. said Tuesday it has reached an agreement to purchase Vancouver-based children's content producer Nerd Corps Entertainment Inc. for $57 million.

Halifax-based DHX, a broadcaster and producer of television programming, said in a press release that Nerd Corps is the creator of several popular children's shows, including Slugterra, one of the most popular programs on Disney XD in Canada and the United States.

Catalyst calls for urgency in Mobilicity restructuring

Recent documents submitted in Mobilicity’s court-monitored bankruptcy process indicate private-equity company Catalyst Capital Group Inc. is anxious to see a new arrangement for the wireless carrier soon.

Smartphone market growth expected to slow

International Data Corp. said Monday that growth in worldwide smartphone shipments is expected to drop from 26.3 per cent this year to 12.2 per cent next year, and even further in the years beyond that.

IDC said in a press release that it expects smartphone shipments to amount to 1.3 billion this year, rising to 1.4 billion in 2015. IDC research manager Ramon Llamas noted in a phone interview that these estimates were rounded off, thus not reflecting the full growth of more than 12 per cent in shipments expected in 2015.

Class action lawsuits against Bell, Telus approved

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has certified two class action lawsuits against BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. regarding rounding up minutes used in wireless calls.

In a news release on its website Thursday, Rochon Genova LLP, which represents the plaintiffs, said that the practice “affected millions of Canadians and meant that, for example, a call lasting one minute and one second would be billed as a two-minute call.”

Mobilicity granted protection until Jan. 30

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved Mobilicity’s request for an extension of bankruptcy protection until Jan. 30.

A court filing, obtained from the wireless carrier’s public relations provider Longview Communications, shows that approval was given on Thursday.

SaskTel expands higher-speed rural Internet

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. said Friday it has expanded its High Speed Fusion Internet service for rural and remote communities to 25 additional locations.

It said in a press release that this fixed-wireless, LTE-based service provides downloads speeds of up to 5 Mbps, twice as fast as the fixed-wireless Internet service it is meant to replace.

High Speed Fusion costs $79.95 a month, the release said. SaskTel spokeswoman Michelle Englot said in an email the monthly data cap is 50 GB.

Bell to buy Glentel retail chain

BCE Inc. said Friday it has reached a deal to buy mobile products retail chain Glentel Inc. for $670 million.

The companies said in a press release that the price would be paid in cash and stock, and also includes the assumption of debt.

The release said that “the transaction enhances Bell's strategy to accelerate wireless and improve customer service in a competitive wireless marketplace, while providing additional value to Glentel shareholders.”

First part of Montreal subway network done

The first phase of a $50-million wireless network in Montreal’s subway system is operational, the parties involved announced Friday.

Rogers says no decision yet on Shaw spectrum deal

Rogers Communications Inc. says the federal government has not yet informed it of a decision on whether it can buy wireless spectrum from Shaw Communications Inc.

A report on the news website Cartt Thursday cited anonymous sources as saying that Industry Canada officials have notified both Rogers and Shaw that the transfer of 20 MHz of AWS spectrum across British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba, plus another 10 MHz in select areas of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and northern Ontario, was not likely to be approved.

Court documents hint Mobilicity arrangement drawing near

Court documents filed in the bankruptcy protection case of wireless carrier Mobilicity suggest talks with other parties regarding a sale, merger or partnership are progressing and could materialize soon.

BlackBerry offers iPhone holders up to $600 to buy Passport

BlackBerry Ltd. is offering up to $600 in incentives for Canadian iPhone users to purchase a BlackBerry Passport.

Ericsson, IBM working on 5G antennas

Ericsson AB and International Business Machines (IBM) Corp. announced Monday that they are working together researching antennas for the future era of 5G wireless communications.

The companies said in a press release that they will collaborate on designing antennas that meet key demands of the next generation of wireless standards, often referred to as 5G. That includes higher data capacity and more connections as new services and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications grow.

Video-calling on smartphones going mainstream: Gartner

More than one-third of U.S. smartphone users conduct video calls over their devices, and this activity is expected to grow in popularity around the world, technology research company Gartner Inc. said Monday.

The company said in a press release that a survey indicated that 34.6 per cent of U.S. adult smartphone users used their device for video calling, and this proportion was 53.5 per cent among those aged 18 to 24.

Telus offer could start holiday pricing battle: analyst

Telus Corp. has made the first moves in what could be a competitive fourth quarter as wireless carriers fight for holiday sales, an analyst said Monday.

Phillip Huang, a telecom analyst with Barclays Capital, said in a research note that Telus is the first major mobile provider to offer significant discounts.

Government, Rogers pledge millions to wireless-support centre

Wavefront, a Vancouver-based centre that provides financial and consulting support for the wireless industry, was the recipient of funding pledges on Friday worth a combined $13.5 million from the federal government and Rogers Communications Inc.

‘Foolish’ not to oppose government spectrum policy earlier: Telus lawyers

OTTAWA — Lawyers for Telus Corp. said Thursday they regretted the "foolish" decision to not dispute Industry Canada’s power over so-called deemed spectrum transfers when the department was consulting on what became its 2013 spectrum-policy framework.

Arguing before the Federal Court in Ottawa, Telus lawyer Michael Ryan said the company should never have accepted that a change in ownership for companies that own a spectrum licence is equivalent to one company handing over the licence to another.

Trio calls on government to reign in major telecoms

Three industry observers, including two academics, have released an open letter to senior government officials that seeks strong measures to temper the power of major players in the telecommunications industry.

The letter comes from Ben Klass, currently researching communications policy at Carleton University, Dwayne Winseck, a journalism and communications professor at Carleton, and CallNet Communications founder Mike Kedar.  It is addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, members of cabinet and CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais.

Starbucks starts wireless charger rollout in U.S.

Starbucks Corp. announced on Tuesday it is starting a U.S. rollout of wireless charging stations in its coffee shops.

It said in a press release that about 200 locations in the San Francisco Bay area have been equipped with Powermat charging stations. They stations are located on tables and counters where devices can be placed to be charged wirelessly. It said any phone is capable of being charged this way when a Powermat Ring is plugged into it, which will be available at Starbucks stores to purchase for $9.99 US or be loaned out.

Telus lobbies PM Harper on health

Telus Corp. communicated with high-ranking members of the federal government in October, including Prime Minister Stephen Harper about the company’s health-care operations, according to the lobbying registry.

The Oct. 2 contact was one of only three that Harper had with lobbyists in the entire month, the Lobby Monitor reported Wednesday. Telus executive chairman Darren Entwistle is the company official registered in the lobbying activity, though it does not necessarily mean he communicated directly with Harper. 

Thorsten Heins to lead Powermat Technologies

Powermat Technologies Ltd., a New York-based maker of public charging stations for mobile devices, said Tuesday that it has appointed former BlackBerry Ltd. CEO Thorsten Heins as its new CEO and chairman.

Its outgoing CEO and founder Ran Poliakine will remain with the company as vice-chairman, Powermat said in a press release.

Powermat said it is in the midst of an expansion of its global presence, including a recent deal with Starbucks Corp. to install charging stations at its coffee shops across the U.S.

Report suggests declining momentum for Google Glass

Google Inc.'s wearable device, Glass, is seeing a decline in interest among the public and application developers, according to an article by Reuters.

The article, published Friday, said nine out of 16 app makers it contacted that were involved in projects for Google Glass have put on hold or completely abandoned their work for this device, mostly citing a lack of customers or limitations of the device. It said three others had stopped working on consumer applications in favour of those for businesses.

BlackBerry releases new enterprise system

BlackBerry Ltd. on Thursday announced the availability of its latest system for enterprise management of mobile devices.

The new system is called BES12, which BlackBerry said in a press release "is the foundation for BlackBerry's extensive portfolio of enterprise security, productivity, and communication and collaboration services that will help organizations securely connect employees with each other and with the corporate information and machines that are required to get their jobs done."

Wireless code will deprive carriers of due funds: lawyer

OTTAWA — Whether the CRTC is infringing on carriers' "vested rights" was among the arguments that came up in the Federal Court of Appeal Wednesday as mobile operators challenged a key provision of the commission's wireless code.

Lawyers for the wireless carriers, the government and an advocacy group argued before a three-judge panel over whether the CRTC has the authority to impose its wireless code on all wireless contracts as of June 3, 2015, even if they were signed before the Dec. 2, 2013, implementation of the code.

Bell, Cogeco execs say enterprise market weak

Executives from two of Canada’s largest telecommunications companies told the crowd at the Scotiabank Telecom & Cable 2015 Conference on Wednesday that the business of selling services to businesses is challenging their bottom line.

Yet both BCE Inc. chief financial officer Siim Vanaselja and Cogeco Cable Inc. CEO Louis Audet said weak growth in enterprise services is an industry-wide phenomenon that reflects continuing tepid growth in the overall economy.

Roam Mobility launches new U.S. plan

Roam Mobility Inc. announced Wednesday a new roaming plan for Canadians visiting the U.S. that gives customers unlimited voice minutes, international texting and calls to Canada for $19.95 a month.

Microsoft releases Lumia 535 smartphone

Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday released its new Lumia 535 smartphone.

Merchants will be allowed to deny mobile payments: report

The federal government is poised to introduce rules that would ensure retailers can opt out of accepting payments though smartphone applications while still maintaining contactless-payment processing for credit cards, the Wall Street Journal reported online Monday.

The measures would give merchants a tool to resist additional fees that credit card companies such as Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc. might impose on mobile payments, given their growing popularity. Finance Minister Joe Oliver could announce the new regulations as early as this week, the article said.

Budget bill gives CRTC sharper teeth

New legislation proposed by the federal government will expand the powers of the CRTC, giving it the ability to fine offenders, share information with the Competition Bureau and exert control over companies that operate telecom services but do not own network infrastructure.

Amendments to the Telecommunications Act and the Broadcasting Act, under which the CRTC operates, are included in the government’s latest omnibus budget bill, introduced Oct. 23.

Payment wristband to be tested in Canada

Toronto-based wearable technology maker Bionym is partnering with the Royal Bank of Canada and MasterCard for a Canadian test of wristbands that act as payment tools.

Kurt Bartlett, a spokesman for Bionym, said in an email that the pilot project will launch before the end of this year. 

He said the product, called the Nymi Band, will identify a user through their unique heart rhythms and allows users to pay with contactless payment technology similar to what is used in credit cards and other mobile payment cards.

Regulating Netflix the least of CRTC’s concerns: Blais

The CRTC is concerned with “much bigger issues with greater ramifications down the road” than the question of whether it will regulate over-the-top (OTT) services like Netflix, CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said Thursday.

As the CRTC makes decisions on issues raised at the Let’s Talk TV hearing earlier this fall, “‘regulating’ Netflix is the least of our concerns,” Blais told the Vancouver Board of Trade in a speech, according to speaking notes provided by the CRTC.

Bell wireless data revenue jumps 24%

BCE Inc. on Thursday reported higher revenue and profit numbers for the third quarter as it added subscribers to its its wireless, Internet and TV businesses and saw a jump in mobile-data revenue.

The company said in a press release that overall revenue was up 1.9 per cent from a year earlier to $5.2 billion in the quarter, which ended Sept. 30. Net earnings were $600 million, up from $343 million in the third quarter of 2013.

Telus quarterly revenue tops $3B for first time

Telus Corp. on Thursday reported quarterly revenue that topped $3 billion for the first time.

MTS financial numbers down despite more subs

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. on Wednesday reported lower third-quarter earnings and revenue, despite adding subscribers to its main retail categories.

The company said in a press release that its revenue in the quarter was down 1.5 per cent from a year earlier to $402.4 million. MTS attributed the decline largely to falling revenue in its Allstream phone services for businesses, as well as lower voice and wholesale revenue in its wireless division.

Net earnings came in at $36.5 million, down from $42 million a year earlier.

Eastlink to fully subsidize iPhone 6 series

Eastlink said Wednesday it will start offering the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus for no money down with two-year contracts to customers on Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island starting Friday.

The company said in a press release that the 16 GB version of Apple Inc.'s iPhone 6 will be free with voice-and-text-only packages starting at $25.63 a month on two-year contracts. The 16GB version of the iPhone 6 Plus will also be available for no money down with monthly fees starting at $30.21 on two-year contracts.

Government pressured to open more WiFi spectrum

Industry Canada is being lobbied to open up more unlicensed spectrum for wireless Internet, as the United States did earlier this year.

Government briefing notes and emails written in advance of a meeting planned for May 27 between Industry Minister James Moore and Cogeco Cable Inc., obtained through an access-to-information request, showed the department expected Cogeco officials, including CEO Louis Audet, would discuss WiFi spectrum regulations.

Canada 10th in home-WiFi penetration

Canada has the 10th highest home-WiFi penetration rate among countries, U.S. research company Strategic Analytics said in a press release Wednesday.

It said 61 per cent of homes in Canada have WiFi. The United States is in 11th place with a 57.8 per cent penetration rate, it said.

The top five countries were the Netherlands with 80.4 per cent, South Korea at 76.4 per cent, Norway at 76.2 per cent, the United Kingdom at 72.1 per cent and Belgium at 69.8 per cent.

Wind promises government it will invest in network

The government has approved the buyout of Wind Mobile from VimpelCom Ltd. by a consortium led by Anthony Lacavera's Globalive Capital with a number of attached conditions, including that the new ownership group "significantly invest capital with the aim of purchasing spectrum."

A statement from Industry Minister James Moore Tuesday said the transaction "will contribute to a more robust and competitive wireless industry in Canada."

Fuse Powered buys Corona Labs

Toronto-based Fuse Powered Inc., which runs a mobile-app publishing and monetization platform, said Tuesday it has purchased Corona Labs Inc., a Palo Alto, Calif.-based company that also makes software for developers of mobile apps.

Fuse said in a news release that the two companies would have a combined reach of more than 200 million active users "with a powerful combined platform supporting more than 10,000 mobile game and app publishers worldwide."

Huawei announces $210M in new Ontario investments

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. announced new plans over the weekend for a $210 million investment in Ontario over the next five years, much of it earmarked for research and development.

Wireless code still a hurdle for carriers: CCTS

Some carriers are having more difficulty than others adjusting to life under the CRTC’s wireless code, according to the latest annual report from the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS).

BCE completes acquisition of Bell Aliant

BCE Inc. said Monday that its acquisition of Bell Aliant Inc. is complete.

It said that on Friday, it gained control through compulsory acquisition of the last 12 million shares of Bell Aliant that had not been tendered.

Fee-based privacy features introduced for BBM

BlackBerry Ltd. on Friday announced new privacy measures for its BBM messaging service that will eventually be offered, along with other services, for a fee.

One such feature allows users to set a time when their sent messages will expire, BlackBerry said in a press release. The feature does not prevent a screenshot from being taken of the message but users will be alerted if that happens, BlackBerry said. When this feature is used the recipient has to keep touching the screen in order for the message to be visible, the company said.

Rogers takes aim at youth with Vice partnership

When Rogers Communications Inc. CEO Guy Laurence wore a leather jacket to the announcement of his company's latest project —a $100 million joint venture with Vice Media Inc. —the unconventional outfit emphasized how the new partnership was aimed at appealing to a younger demographic.

Microsoft launches wearable device

Microsoft Corp. announced a new group of products designed to help customers monitor and track their health on Wednesday, including a fitness band and a cloud platform for health data.

The $199 US Microsoft Band wearable device will monitor user’s hear rate, sleep and distance walked as well as displaying notifications from a user’s smartphone, the company said in a news release. The Band will be compatible with Android, iOS and Windows Phone, and is “designed to be worn 24 hours a day,” the company said.

Wireline wholesale hearing to put focus on ISP access

The CRTC faces another major policy hearing next month, and this one has the potential to affect independent Internet service providers that depend on major telecom companies to connect them to customers.

In September, the commission held separate hearings on the future of the television industry and wholesale wireless access. On Nov. 24, the CRTC begins up to nine days of public proceedings into wireline wholesale services.