Canada is a special place. Why? Because when it comes to subsidies on the latest smartphones, our wireless contracts are three years compared to just two in the USA and other countries around the world. With the CRTC recently announcing the results of their wireless code consultation, the results showed the top 100 'liked' comment...
According to the CBC, the CRTC commission created to hear input from Canadians on setting up a wireless code has only resulted in over 500 responses from a pool of 27 million cellphone users: The commission is expected to issue a draft code by the end of next month, after which a second round of...
Astral and Bell are back to the drawing board and have submitted a new proposal to the CRTC for approval. Previously, both companies had their merger proposal rejected by the CRTC over competition concerns, such as Bell having too much marketshare in some areas. Now, both companies have announced they have re-submitted a modified proposal...
Today is the launch of an online discussion by the CRTC to ask for Canadians to engage and participate in the development of a new code for wireless services in this great nation of ours. These online discussion panels are part of a proceeding that will also include a public hearing starting in February of...
Rogers has announced it has completed its acquisition of ScoreMedia, a deal that was revealed in late August that includes theScore TV network. Once approved by the CRTC, the latter will join the Sportsnet family. Rogers paid $167 million for ScoreMedia (consisting of theScore TV Network, closed captioning service Voice to Visual Inc., and mixed...
The Globe and Mail reported earlier this afternoon the CRTC overturned the merger deal between BCE and Astral, as it would have put too much power into one media company and would have required numerous safeguards which would have been a detriment to other companies; essentially it would cause competition concerns: “BCE failed to persuade...
OpenMedia.ca has created a new campaign called CellPhoneHorrorStory.ca to allow Canadians to share their unsatisfactory experiences with our wireless companies. The feedback form goes straight to the CRTC, which formerly asked Canadians for their input on developing a new national wireless code. An email blast this morning to its mailing list noted the following plea to Canadians:...
The CRTC has announced it is now taking submissions from Canadians to help develop a mobile code when it comes to wireless terms and conditions (an issue that was previously brought up in April, which the 'Big 3' carriers supported): “Our goal is to make sure that Canadians have the tools they need to make...
The Globe and Mail reports the CRTC is ready to crack down on 'iCrime', the increasingly alarming rate at which smartphones such as the iPhone are brazenly stolen by thieves. How so? It wants our wireless carriers to setup a national registry to track stolen devices such as iPhones or iPads or other smartphones. If...
This January, TrapCall debuted in Canada with its blocked call unmasking service, made available on our major carrier networks. Essentially the service allowed people to see the caller ID of any incoming call. Soon after though, TrapCall's app disappeared from the App Store and the service wasn't available anymore five months later. Turns out the...
Today Prime Minister Harper announced the appointment of a new head of the CRTC, veteran public servant Jean-Pierre Blais. The five year term is effect June 18th, 2012 and will replace the current chair, Konrad von Finckenstein. “Mr. Blais is well qualified for the position of Chairperson of the CRTC. He brings a strong legal...
The CRTC looks to seek input from Canadians on whether wireless carriers should all follow a certain set of rules when dealing with customers. The CRTC wants to know if 'competition' in Canada is enough to protect consumers, and has launched a consultation on the topic after requests from consumer advocates. Rogers proposed some rules...
