Spectrum transfer to Telus from NextWave approved

Industry Canada said Friday it has approved the transfer of two wireless spectrum licences in Quebec to Telus Corp. from NextWave Wireless Inc.

CRTC says wireless code applies to some business accounts

The CRTC said Wednesday that the wireless code applies to any mobile service, even business accounts, where the individual using the service is responsible for any portion of the charges incurred.

AWS-3 auction prompts debate around urban-rural issues

A proposal from one incumbent carrier to restrict set-asides in the upcoming AWS-3 auction to urban centres has elicited debate in the latest round of submissions to Industry Canada from carriers providing input on rules for the auction.

MTS opens new network monitoring facility

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. has opened a new Winnipeg facility for monitoring and managing its network infrastructure, the company said in a press release Thursday.

The Manitoba Network Operations Centre will also “act as a hub for innovation, knowledge and communications for MTS’s network operations personnel,” it said, adding that about 50 staff will work on the site.

The facility will monitor network components including cellular sites, backbone fibre networks and routers, servers and firewalls, it said.

Péladeau would put Quebecor shares in blind trust if leader: reports

Quebecor Inc.'s controlling shareholder Pierre Karl Péladeau said he'll put his holdings in the company in a blind trust if he becomes leader of the sovereigntist Parti Québécois (PQ), reports indicated Wednesday.

However, he called a motion to ban members of the provincial legislature like him from owning a controlling stake in media companies "outrageous," different articles indicated.

Canadians using phones to shop but wary of mobile payments

Canadian shoppers are increasingly turning to their smartphones while in-store to find bargains, check for coupons and look up product reviews, according to a new study.

A report from consumer information company BrandSpark International, released Thursday, showed more than half of Canadians polled say they use their smartphone more often when shopping than they did a year earlier.

Rogers sells out ads for first week of NHL season

Rogers Communications Inc. has sold out advertising for the opening week of the NHL hockey season, which begins Wednesday, Rogers spokeswoman Jennifer Kett said in an email.

“For NHL opening week alone, we’ve closed more than 25 integrated sponsorships and counting, and Rogers Hometown Hockey activations are fully sold out with great partners like Scotiabank, Dodge, McDonald's, Samsung, and Xbox,” she said, adding there is “increased interest from corporate Canada.”

Government ‘disappointed’ with Bell’s email-contract delay

The federal government's email consolidation program, slated to begin earlier this year, has yet to get underway and the government department in charge of the project says it’s because BCE Inc., contracted to undertake the initiative, has been slow to the draw.

“Bell has not yet been able to meet the committed project deadlines,” Shared Service Canada spokesman Ted Francis said in an email to The Hill Times.

“SSC is very disappointed by these unacceptable delays,” he said.

Facebook closes WhatsApp purchase

Facebook Inc.'s purchase of instant messaging company WhatsApp Inc. closed Monday, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Court dismisses Amdocs case against Mobilicity

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has ruled against a supplier that was seeking millions of dollars in payment from Mobilicity, which has been in bankruptcy protection for more than a year.

Quebecor says newspaper sale not connected to wireless expansion

Quebecor Inc. says there is no connection between the $316-million proposed sale of its English-language newspapers to Postmedia Network Canada Corp. and its intention of expanding its mobile services across Canada.

The company also said Monday that it is evaluating the “long-term viability” of its Sun News Network television channel, which is not part of the sale that includes its Sun-branded newspapers.

Rogers launches second-screen hockey app

Rogers Communications Inc. announced it is releasing a new hockey app that will give customers access to new camera angles and additional content like interviews and analysis.

“Exclusive to Rogers’ customers, and it is the ultimate second-screen experience,” said Rogers Media president Keith Pelley at the launch event in Toronto on Monday. “It allows our customers to select replays, to pick camera angles, to be the producer, to be the director.”

U.S. online industry group criticizes Canada

A coalition of some of the biggest Internet companies in the United States criticized Canada in a report released Tuesday for being a laggard in the usage and development of Internet technology to grow the economy.

Bell launches HSPA+ in 2 Yukon communities

BCE Inc. has launched 4G wireless service in Pelly Crossing and Burwash Landing, Yukon, the company said in a press release Monday.

Bell spokeswoman Jacqueline Michelis clarified in an email that the service is delivered through an HSPA+ network.

Marriott fined $600K for WiFi blocking

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said Friday that it has fined hotel operator Marriott International Inc. $600,000 US for deliberately blocking people's access to personal WiFi hotspots at a convention area in Nashville, while charging as much as $1,000 per device for access to the hotel's WiFi network.

The FCC said it launched an investigation in response to a complaint received in March 2013 from an individual who claimed Marriott staff were "jamming mobile hotspots so you can't use them in the convention space."

CRTC approves enhanced 911 applications

The CRTC has approved applications from Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp., Telus Corp., Bell Aliant and BCE Inc. regarding enhanced 911 services.

The regulator said in separate decisions Friday it has approved applications by MTS, SaskTel, Telus, Bell Aliant and BCE to introduce a 911 text messaging service.

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.

BCE says most Aliant common shares tendered

BCE Inc. and Bell Aliant Inc. said Friday that a vast majority of the common shares of the latter have been tendered to the former, and that the whole deal should be completed on or around the end of this month.

The companies said in joint press release that as of Thursday, which was the deadline for the offer on publicly traded common shares of Bell Aliant not yet owned by BCE, more than 90 per cent of stock sought had been tendered.

Labelling requirements eased for wearables

Industry Minister James Moore announced Friday that the government is easing labelling requirements for electronic devices by allowing information to be displayed electronically on the devices' screens rather than in a physical display on gadgets.

A news release from Industry Canada said the changes take effect immediately, and it mentioned wearable devices, such as glucose monitors, as the type of equipment that would be affected.

Carriers ask CRTC to take powers from government

GATINEAU, Que. — Two of Canada's largest wireless carriers called on the CRTC to take some regulatory power from Industry Canada at the commission's week-long hearing into the wholesale wireless market.

Both Rogers Communications Inc. and BCE Inc. want to change the balance of regulation in the wireless business, asking the CRTC to take over the arbitrator role currently filled by Industry Canada in disputes between companies. 

Shaw offers TSN, Sportsnet TV-everywhere apps

Shaw Communications Inc. said Thursday its customers can now access TV-everywhere products for BCE Inc.’s TSN and Rogers Communication Inc.’s Sportsnet specialty channels.

Rogers takes aim at Telus, Bell network sharing

GATINEAU, Que. — It's not always a case of the wireless incumbents battling newer entrants; Wednesday's session of the CRTC hearing into the wholesale wireless market featured one of the big three throwing its two closest competitors under the bus.

SaskTel releases transparency report

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. on Wednesday joined other telecom providers in releasing a transparency report, which showed that it received 11,857 requests for information last year from government agencies and emergency service providers.

SaskTel said it refused to provide information for 247 of these requests.

"Except for court orders, SaskTel will refuse to provide the information if we believe the request is vague or not supported by statute," it said in its report.

Sybase alumnus Mike Daniels joins BlackBerry board

BlackBerry Ltd. CEO John Chen has brought in another one of his connections from his days leading Sybase Inc. into the BlackBerry fold.

Telus, Eastlink provide opposing perspectives on wholesale regulation

GATINEAU, Que. — The CRTC on Tuesday got opposing opinions on the need for wholesale wireless market regulation from two wireless carriers with very different perspectives.

Incumbent carrier Telus Corp. argued that too much regulation will deter a healthy climate for investment in Canada's wireless market, while regional carrier Eastlink said the current lack of regulation is stifling competition.

Stingray ditches Galaxie brand, launches new app

Stingray Digital Group Inc. is getting rid of its Galaxie brand for audio channels on subscription-TV services, putting all its services under the Stingray brand, and launching a new streaming app, the company said in a press release Tuesday.

Stingray said the move will allow it to group all its services in a single brand, including Stingray Music, Stingray Concerts and Stingray Music Videos.

Amdocs seeking $2.9M from Mobilicity

Recent court filings show Amdocs Inc. is seeking almost $2.9 million in payments from Mobilicity.

BlackBerry devices bring in more cash in Q2

BlackBerry Ltd. posted a $207-million US net loss in its quarterly report released Friday, though it saw bump in the number of devices it derived revenue from in comparison to the previous period.

In its second quarter, which ended Aug. 30, the company posted revenue of $916 million US, down from $966 million US in the previous quarter and $1.57 billion US in the same period last year, though it recorded a net loss of $965 million US in that quarter, according to a press release.

Internet regulation may be template for future of wholesale wireless

As the CRTC prepares for a week of hearings beginning Monday on the future of wholesale wireless in Canada, the rules regarding wholesale Internet access may be a predictor of how the regulator will shape the future of the wireless market.

Wireless revenue growth slowed last year: CRTC

Revenue from wireless services in Canada was up just less than four per cent in 2013, marking a slowdown from growth that had exceeded six per cent for three straight years, according to data released by the CRTC on Thursday.

Mobilicity creditor protection extended

Mobilicity has been granted an extension of its creditor protection until Dec. 1, William Aziz, Mobilicity's chief restructuring officer, said in a statement Thursday.

He said the order was granted by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Wednesday.

Cogeco calls for regulated access to wireless networks

Cogeco Cable Inc. wants the CRTC to set up regulated access to established wireless carriers’ networks, president and CEO Louis Audet said during a conference call with media Thursday.

MTS announces agreement on pensions

Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. said Wednesday it has reached an agreement with its unions and retirees regarding a pension plan that was in dispute following its 1997 privatization and was subject to a Supreme Court decision early this year.

PIAC awarded $20K in costs by CRTC

The CRTC on Wednesday said it was awarding the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) almost $20,000 in costs for expenses incurred in three different proceedings, to be covered by various telecommunications companies.

BlackBerry launches Passport, new app

BlackBerry Ltd. launched a new smartphone, the Passport, on Wednesday, as well as an app that brings content from BlackBerry smartphones to computers and tablets.

The Passport, revealed at a launch event in Toronto that featured hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, is aimed at professional users, the company said in a press release, has a physical keyboard, as well as a 4.5-inch touchscreen shaped like a square and is roughly the size of a Canadian passport.

Cogeco to discuss wireless services on Thursday

Cogeco Cable Inc. said Tuesday it will hold a conference call with journalists on Thursday to discuss "the future of mobile services in Canada."

Telus, Mojio promise connected-car solution this year

Telus Corp. and technology maker Mojio Inc. announced on Tuesday they will team up to provide a connected-car service in Canada before the end of this year.

In a joint press release, the companies said the service will use Telus' national wireless network to connect to the Internet and employ a cellular device from Vancouver-based Mojio that connects to vehicle's onboard diagnostic port, which is on most cars manufactured since 1996.

Internet-, phone-service prices surging: StatsCan

The latest consumer price index from Statistics Canada indicates year-to-year gains in phone and Internet services that are several times the overall inflation rate.

Statistics Canada said Friday that phone-service prices in August were 7.6 per cent higher than they were a year earlier. The overall annual inflation rate in August was 2.1 per cent.

Boynton, Stoneham find jobs after Rogers

John Boynton and Shelagh Stoneham, two Rogers Communications Inc. executives who left in the wake of its corporate overhaul this year, have both found other jobs.

Boynton, formerly the chief marketing officer at Rogers, is now the chief marketing officer for Canada at Aimia Inc., a customer loyalty company that owns and operates the Aeroplan loyalty program, Aimia said in a press release earlier this month.

Mobilicity shuts down cell sites, asks for bankruptcy extension

Mobilicity is asking for another extension to its creditor protection, telling the judge overseeing its bankruptcy that the carrier has removed cell towers and shut down its Vancouver sales office in a continuing effort to cut costs.

CRTC denies PIAC petition for free calls to helplines

The CRTC has denied an application from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and B.C. non-profit Chimo Community Services to make crisis helplines free for wireless customers.

In its decision, released Thursday, the regulator said the applicants were unable to narrow the definition of a helpline enough to clarify the scope of the measure, although it recognized the importance of such services for Canadians.

Carriers mostly complying with wireless code: CRTC

The CRTC issued an "implementation report card" Thursday that showed mobile carriers are complying with the wireless code on most rules.

Out of 28 aspects of the code evaluated, the CRTC found infractions on three parts.

The regulator said Rogers Communications Inc. is still not allowing customers to opt out of notifications for when their device is roaming in another country. The CRTC said Rogers has indicated it is working to have the issue rectified before the end of the year.

Regulators want investment-focused wireless industry: Natale

Telus Corp. CEO Joe Natale said Thursday he cannot predict what decisions will result from the upcoming CRTC hearings on the wireless wholesale market, though he feels Canadian regulators are likely to maintain a system that encourages investment in mobile networks.

"I really don't believe that our government and our regulator wants to step away from an investment-oriented ... approach to the wireless business," he said during a CIBC investor conference in Montreal.

BlackBerry expands mobile-payment service in Indonesia

BlackBerry Ltd. said Thursday that its mobile payment application will be made available to iPhone and Android smartphone users in Indonesia in early 2015.

The company said in a press release that BBM Money has already been available in for BlackBerry users in Indonesia since early last year.

“By combining our DNA around security, and the real-time collaboration and privacy attributes of BBM, we are uniquely placed in the growing mobile payments space,” John Sims, BlackBerry's president of global enterprise services, said in the release.

Quebecor ‘still interested’ in Wind

Quebecor Inc. is “still interested” in Wind Mobile and is “certainly interested in talking with them” following the announced buyout of the carrier on Tuesday, Quebecor’s senior vice-president and chief financial officer Jean-Francois Pruneau said Wednesday.

Speaking during a CIBC investor conference in Montreal, Pruneau said that “we have, I think, very valuable spectrum ownership, which if they want, we can contribute ... in the venture and be a partner with them as well.”

Quarter of online video viewing on mobile: Ooyala

Mobile online video viewing doubled around the world over the last year and accounted for 27 per cent of all online video viewing in this year's second quarter, Ooyala Inc. said in a report released Monday.

The report said mobile's share of online video viewing increased 127 per cent over the last year and has quadrupled over the last two years. Ooyala, an online video management company, said this is because of a combination of faster networks and more advanced mobile devices.

Internet advertising money tops TV: IAB

A report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada shows that, for the first time ever, there was more revenue in this country last year in Internet advertising than television.

In a report released Wednesday, the IAB said Internet advertising revenue was more than $3.5 billion in 2013, up 14 per cent from a year earlier. That compared to $3.4 billion in television revenue, which was down two per cent from 2012.

Buyout puts Wind on solid ground, says Lacavera

Wind Mobile CEO Anthony Lacavera says his $285-million buyout of majority shareholder VimpelCom Ltd., announced Tuesday, brings stability to his company after years of ownership uncertainty.

Lacavera will buy out the majority stake Amsterdam-based VimpelCom had in Wind for $135 million and assume about $150 million in debt thanks to support from a group of investors including Toronto-based investment firm West Face Capital, as well as U.S. investors Tennenbaum Capital Partners and LG Capital Investors.

Incumbents say AWS-3 set-aside unnecessary, bad for taxpayers

In newly released documents Rogers Communications Inc., Telus Corp. and BCE Inc. all criticize the set-aside for new entrants in the upcoming AWS-3 auction, with Bell is asking the government to delay part of the auction for at least a year.

Google announces new smartphone for India

Google Inc. on Monday announced a new smartphone, known as Android One, it will make  available first in India and other developing countries in the near future.

Google said in a blog post that the new product represents the company's efforts to get smartphones to the approximately five billion people, mostly in less developed parts of the world, who do not yet have such devices.

Bloomberg reported that the phones will start at a price of 6,399 rupees ($115 Cdn).

MTS, SaskTel to carry iPhone 6

Two regional wireless carriers from the Prairie provinces announced Monday they will carry Apple Inc.'s new iPhone 6. when it becomes available on Sept. 19.

Wireless code court challenge scheduled for Nov. 12

Canada's wireless carriers will get their day in the Federal Court of Appeal on Nov. 12 to challenge the CRTC's wireless code provision that voids all mobile contracts that are more than two years old next June.

The court date was set on Thursday, according to a positing on court's website.

Videotron cites mobile TV as key in LTE launch

Four years after Videotron flipped the switch on a new wireless network, the carrier is launching an LTE network that president and CEO Manon Brouillette says will help the company deliver TV content to its mobile customers.

Videotron, owned by Quebecor Inc., was one of the companies that picked up set-aside spectrum in the 2008 AWS auction, and has been delivering HSPA service to the province of Quebec and the Ottawa region since September 2010.  

Rogers boss defends big spending on spectrum

Rogers Communications Inc.’s CEO on Tuesday said his competitors underestimate the value of wireless spectrum — something Rogers spent multiple times more money on than any other company in this year’s 700 MHz auction — though he added his company has some “dreadful” customer service that needs to be improved upon.

Apple announces new phones, payment system, watch

Apple Inc. announced two new larger iPhones, a payment system and a wearable device, the Apple Watch, at a Tuesday event in Cupertino, Calif.

The new smartphones are, at 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches measured diagonally, larger than previous iPhones and feature an upgraded camera, improved WiFi connectivity and compatibility with the latest carrier technologies such as voice-over-LTE and WiFi calling.

Redline purchases California company

Redline Communications Group Inc., a Toronto maker of wireless networks for projects in remote areas, said Tuesday it has reached a deal to purchase Santa Clara, Calif.-based PureWave Networks, which the company said will help it develop LTE capabilities.

"LTE had been on Redline's technology development roadmap and we expect that the PureWave technology will accelerate the development of LTE-based capabilities for our networks," Redline CEO Rob Williams said in a release.

No comment from Rogers on OLG reports

Rogers Communications Inc. declined Tuesday to comment on reports that it will bid, along with BCE Inc., for the right to help in the running of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.

A Toronto Star article published on Monday said Rogers and Bell are expected to bid on the partnership with the provincial lottery organization. According to the article, such involvement could make lottery ticket purchases available from cellphones.

Wi-Fi Alliance celebrates 15-year anniversary

The Wi-Fi Alliance, a non-profit organization that certifies products capable of operating on WiFi connections, announced Monday that it is now 15 years old.

The organization said in a press release its six founding companies in 1999 have since grown into a group that now includes almost 650 companies.

The alliance said that about two billion WiFi products were sold last year, and that figure will amount to more than four billion by 2020. It added that WiFi is now used in about 25 per cent of homes around the world.

T-Mobile sues Huawei for spying

T-Mobile US Inc. is suing Chinese hardware manufacturer Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. in U.S. Federal Court for alleged industrial espionage, reports the Seattle Times.

The wireless carrier says Huawei stole phone-testing software and the specifications for some of its testing components, including a robot nicknamed “Tappy,” the newspaper reported Friday.

Twitter experimenting with instant-purchase tweets

Twitter Inc. said Monday it is testing a program that allows users on its social network to make purchases with the push of a new button that will be included in tweets.

Mobilicity backers’ lawsuit describes government courting of new entrants

New details about the government’s push for new-entrant carriers in the 2008 AWS auction were revealed in a lawsuit filed this week against Industry Canada by two of the original investors in Mobilicity, alleging the government department is blocking the sale of the struggling carrier to Telus Corp. out of spite.

CRTC pushes back wholesale wireless deadline

The CRTC said Friday that the deadline for final submission in its wholesale wireless review has been delayed by three days.

Rogers NHL streaming plan result of OTT shift: analyst

Rogers Communications Inc.'s launch of a hockey streaming product shows the company wants to "build up its OTT [over-the-top] capabilities" as more TV viewers move away from linear television and toward streaming options, RBC Dominion Securities analyst Drew McReynolds said.

Samsung buying Ontario mobile printing company

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced Wednesday it is acquiring PrinterOn Inc., a Kitchener, Ont.-based mobile printing company that specializes in business-to-business.

The consumer products giant said in a news release that the purchase would “reinforce” its mobile ecosystem, improving its mobile printing for consumers and enterprise clients.

Quebecor says Nurun sale unrelated to wireless expansion

Quebecor Inc. and industry analysts on Tuesday downplayed any connection between the company's sale of consulting subsidiary Nurun and aspirations Quebecor has for expanding its wireless service across Canada.

The Montreal-based company announced in a press release Tuesday that Nurun, which provides advisory services in areas such as digital products, website design and online transactions, has been sold to France's Publicis Groupe SA for $125 million in cash.

Paper billing issue small potatoes for telecom sector: analysts

Much has been made this week about the practice of levying extra fees for the privilege of getting a physical bill for telecommunications services, and some industry watchers are downplaying the issue's importance.

Tablet market forecast downgraded

International Data Corp. has lowered its growth projections for tablets and tablet-laptop hybrids.

The research company said in a press release Friday that it has lowered its worldwide forecast for 2014 to 233.1 million shipments, or 6.5 per cent year-over-year growth , down from the previously forecast 12.1 per cent.

Moore promises to outlaw ‘pay-to-pay’ billing

Hours after a meeting between telecommunications companies and CRTC officials regarding paper-billing charges that failed to end in a result satisfactory to policy-makers, Industry Minister James Moore said via social media he'll solve the issue with legislation.

“Our Government will introduce legislation to end pay-to-pay billing practices for telecom industry #ConsumersFirst,” Moore said on Twitter late Thursday evening.

New technology promises to do more with less spectrum

A new technology that is part of the next generation of LTE could help wireless carriers more than double the speed of their networks and make the most out of their limited spectrum holdings.

Each spectrum band, be it PCS, AWS or 700 MHz, is subdivided into smaller chunks of paired and unpaired spectrum that are used by carriers to deliver wireless services.

Telus introduces device-management system for companies

Telus Corp. on Wednesday announced a new device-management system for businesses, which it said is geared toward the growing trend of BYOD (bring your own device) among organizations.

The service is called MDM Made Easy, Telus said in a press release. Using technology and services from Vox Mobile and AirWatch LLC, it's a cloud-based device-management system that doesn't involve any on-premise hardware.

Bell increases LTE network speeds

BCE Inc. said Tuesday that is has increased speeds on its LTE wireless network up to 45 per cent.

It said in a press release that average download speeds have gone from between 12 and 25 Mbps to between 14 and 36 Mbps, adding that in some areas average speeds will increase to between 18 and 40 Mbps.

Politician says Telus refused to negotiate $20K bill

Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership candidate Thomas Lukaszuk said his staff was unable to negotiate a discount from Telus Corp. when, as a deputy premier in 2012, he rang up more than $20,000 in data and roaming charges while travelling overseas.

Lukaszuk published an apology on his website after the Edmonton Sun broke a story indicating that, while on a personal trip to Poland and Israel in October 2012, he used 2.29 GB of data, which resulted in a $20,243.91 bill paid for by the government.

LTE, HSPA use for M2M to double by 2018: report

Research firm Berg Insight says demand from automakers and the impending shutdown of older networks means the share of the global machine-to-machine communications (M2M) market using LTE and HSPA networks will more than double by 2018.

The consumer market has embraced LTE since its worldwide rollout in late 2010 and 2011, with its faster speeds and more efficient use of power and network bandwidth, making it a boon for both users and wireless providers.

BCE, Rogers tell CRTC they don’t throttle mobile traffic

In documents submitted to the CRTC this week, BCE Inc. said it does not throttle mobile data traffic, though it’s prepared to if necessary, while Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron said it does and there is no contradiction between that and its experiment with mobile-TV plans where the data used does not count against caps.

Rogers’ mobile TV now counts against data cap

Rogers Communications Inc. has changed the pricing of data used by its Anyplace TV app, writing on its website that as of Aug. 18, standard data charges would apply to customers who use the app while on its wireless network.

Ikea bringing WiFi to Canadian stores

Ikea Canada said Thursday that it will be launching free WiFi service in stores throughout Canada.

The furniture retailer said in a press release that the service would allow customers to view the mobile version of its website and or download its shopping app. Among other things, it said such features would give shoppers the option of making direct purchases online while browsing in-store.

Ikea said this service has already been rolled out in the Toronto area and would be launching in other Canadian outlets over the next month. 

Wind lowers domestic roaming prices

Wind Mobile on Thursday announced lower prices for domestic roaming as it begins using higher-quality networks for its customers travelling outside their base.

The company said in a press release that data speeds will be up to 350 times faster for customers roaming within Canada, with speeds as fast as 42 Mbps. The price of that data has dropped to five cents per MB from $1, Wind added.

Wind said the domestic-roaming price for voice has declined to 15 cents per minute from 20 cents, and texting is down to five cents per message from 15 cents.

Small ISPs positive, Xplornet critical of new 3500 MHz policy

The government’s proposed changes to the licensing of 3500 MHz spectrum are receiving praise from small wireless Internet service providers (ISPs), while satellite Internet provider Xplornet Communications Inc. said it is “deeply concerned.”

Tech giants pick sides as battle for IoT protocol unfolds

Some of the largest software and hardware makers in the world, including Microsoft Corp., Qualcomm Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Intel Corp., are choosing sides in a battle over communications standards as the world of connected devices evolves into an Internet of Things.

Prepaid expiration lawsuit against Bell to proceed

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has decided a class-action lawsuit against BCE Inc. regarding the expiry of prepaid accounts for mobile service can proceed, a law firm involved in the case said Monday.

Samsung to purchase IoT company

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced on Thursday that it has reached an agreement to purchase SmartThings, a maker of a mobile platform that supports Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications and devices.

Samsung said in a press release that SmartThings will continue to operate independently, though it will be moving its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Palo Alto, Calif.

Devicescape helps carriers tap into public WiFi resources

Devicescape Software Inc. is a California-based company that is trying to sell wireless carriers on the potential of using the multitude of free WiFi hotspots in existence to their benefit.

The company's product causes smartphones to automatically link to freely offered WiFi networks, without the user having to perform the manual tasks that are typically required to connect to hotspots.

Eastlink no longer buying Bruce Telecom

Bragg Communications Inc., which operates Eastlink, won’t be buying Bruce Telecom, the Competition Bureau said Friday.

The bureau said in a press release that it reviewed the proposed acquisition and concluded that had it “proceeded as proposed, it would have likely resulted in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in the towns of Port Elgin and Paisley, [Ont.], where the two firms are the only providers of wireline telecommunications services.”

Experts disagree on stringency of AWS-3 build-out rules

While some observers are saying the deployment requirements for the upcoming AWS-3 spectrum auction are the strictest the industry’s ever seen, others say they’re pretty much in line with those of previous auctions.

Android makes up almost 85% of smartphone market: IDC

The dominant smartphone brands keep getting stronger as weaker brands, such as devices from BlackBerry Ltd., lose more ground, according to International Data Corp.

The technology research company said in a press release Thursday that worldwide smartphone shipments totalled 301.3 million in this year's second quarter, up 25.3 per cent from the same time a year earlier.

Northwestel allowed to dismantle radio-phone service

Northwestel Inc. has been given permission to dismantle most of its "manual mobile service" sites in the North due to declining usage and increasing difficulty in maintaining the infrastructure.

Wireless code effects include higher prices, slow customer growth: analysts

More than eight months after its implementation and more than a year after it was announced, effects of CRTC's wireless code include higher prices and slower growth in mobile-service subscribers, say analysts.

"The most obvious overall effect is it's raised consumer prices by $5 per month," Canaccord Genuity telecom analyst Dvai Ghose said in a phone interview.

Nearly half of Anglo market own tablet: MTM

Almost half of anglophone Canadians aged 18 or older own a tablet, according to a report released Tuesday from Media Technology Monitor.

Tablet penetration has grown to 45 per cent of Anglos from 34 per cent in the same period last year, said the report from MTM, a project of CBC/Radio Canada