| 10 March, 2010 | Last updated 3 hours 47 minutes ago |
 Webfeed |
|
Having Trouble Logging In?Bell rural Internet plan to cost $454 million for 61,000 homesBell Canada and Bell Aliant’s plan to provide 112 Ontario and Quebec rural communities with broadband Internet is expected to cost $454 million, say the companies’ roll-out plan, submitted to the CRTC Feb. 26. “That’s a breathtaking subsidy,” Mark Goldberg, a telecommunications analyst with Mark H. Goldberg and Associates, told The Wire Report. Industry awaits government’s next move; MTS urges legislation to liberalize telecomMTS Allstream is calling on the government to keep to its pledge to “open the doors” for foreign investment in the telecommunications sector and table legislation in Parliament to eliminate the “sector specific” foreign ownership restrictions in the Telecommunications Act. Jay Switzer returns with 'shrewd proposal' for gender-specific specialty channels March 8, 2010 - 5:13pm — Jonathan Migneault
Although industry observers are calling Jay Switzer’s application for gender-specific specialty channels a “shrewd proposal,” they don’t expect his broadcasting pedigree to give him an upper hand in the search for a distributor. Bloc bill to regionalize CRTC meets strong oppositionBloc Québécois private member’s Bill C-444, which would create a regional CRTC office in Quebec, met strong opposition from Conservative, Liberal and NDP MPs during a House debate Monday. Canada shouldn't be relying on 20th-century telecom industrial model: BenklerOTTAWA—Twentieth-century industrial models should no longer hold sway over broadband development in Canada, says the author of a Harvard University report that criticized Canada’s broadband infrastructure, access and pricing. Rogers in talks to bring 3D TV channel to CanadaRogers Communications is in talks with potential partners to bring a new 3D television channel to Canada, David Purdy, vice-president of video products at Rogers, said in an interview. Bill to be debated Monday as Bloc, Quebec government push for regional communications regulatorRegionalizing telecommunications and broadcast regulations in Quebec could hamper Canadian innovation policy, experts say. Experts are weighing in on the issue as Members of Parliament are scheduled to debate private member’s Bill C-444 Monday. 'It's going to be pretty tough' for TVA Sports, say industry insidersTVA Sports is expected to struggle in a market dominated by RDS, but industry observers say the station has opportunities to carve out niche sports programming, or better yet, prepare the groundwork to potentially air NHL games in Quebec City. Experts, critics, surprised by budget's announcement on satellitesExperts and opposition critics were surprised Thursday by the government’s plan to “open the doors” on foreign ownership—but only to the Canadian satellite sector. Northern line could connect territories to fibre-optic broadbandA new fibre-optic line planned to connect London to Tokyo is expected to improve connectivity in the 43 northern Canadian communities currently served by satellite. Clement looking at legislative changes to increase foreign investment for telecom, satelliteThe federal government is considering legislative changes so that Canada’s telecommunications and satellite sectors can receive foreign direct investment. Following the Conservative government’s throne speech Wednesday, Industry Minister Tony Clement said he has been advised that legislative changes will probably be necessary to increase foreign investment in the sectors. Parties to prioritize new media study for return of House heritage committee March 3, 2010 - 2:19pm — Karen Fournier
MPs from all four federal political parties agree the House Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage should study new media when it reconvenes. Corus to face tough local news fight, say critics March 2, 2010 - 6:44pm — Jonathan Migneault
Critics are questioning Corus Entertainment’s move to operate a local specialty television service aimed at 64 markets in Western Canada, saying the battle for local audiences and advertising would be a tough one. Canada should view CETA process as an opportunity to carve out its interests, says de BeerCanada shouldn’t necessarily view the ongoing negotiations surrounding the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a threat. The country should instead view the process as a way to leverage some of its Intellectual property (IP) interests onto the agenda, Jeremy de Beer, associate professor of law at the University of Ottawa, told The Wire Report in an interview. Canyon TV files lawsuit, says broadcast carriers fall under Telecom ActCalgary company Canyon TV Inc. has posed the question of whether broadcast carriers should have to air channels that have received CRTC licences. Canyon TV has filed a lawsuit with the Alberta provincial court against Telus Corp., seeking damages for a failure to carry its channel. |
||