Profectio » CRTC

CRTC Launches Online Consultation, We Want To Hear Canadians Concerns About Internet And Telephone Services

Dave Forde — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:20:21 +0000

For as much as the CRTC can be a road block to innovation with the Canadian telecommunication industry, every so often they do something that shows that they might be adding some value. Last week the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) launched an online consultation to hear the views of Canadians about their access to basic telephone and Internet services. This consultation is part of a proceeding that will include a public hearing beginning on October 26, 2010, in Timmins, Ontario.
In 1999, the CRTC set out the basic services that telecommunications companies should offer to Canadians, which include local service on an individual telephone line and access to low-speed Internet at local rates. Over the last decade, new technologies have changed the way that Canadians communicate and do business. There has also been an increase in competition between telephone and cable companies to provide telephone and Internet services.
The rate of change within Canada telecommunications industry is at such a high rate over the last few years with new mobile carriers entering the marketing, consumers running out of telephone numbers the CRTC is looking for new ways to stay on top of the changes.

The CRTC is examining its current regulations in response to these technological and competitive changes in the telecommunications industry. More specifically, the CRTC is asking Canadians whether the obligation to provide certain services should be modified in light of the technologies available today.
Through the online consultation, the public is invited to discuss various topics and questions. The topics for discussion are:

the services that should be included as part of a basic telephone service
the role of the CRTC in ensuring that Canadians have access to broadband Internet service
whether cellphones can serve as a substitute for landlines, and
whether wireless Internet services can serve as a substitute for landline Internet services.

Mobilicity Gets CRTC Approval, Prepares For May 2010 Launch

Dave Forde — Mon, 10 May 2010 14:43:29 +0000

Canada’s wireless industry is heating up in 2010 with new devices, better service plans and new carriers. The latest to get the green light from the CRTC is Mobilicity.

“We have been given the approval to offer Canadians truly competitive wireless services,” said Mobilicity Chairman John Bitove. “It has taken four years to get to this stage and the impact of our upcoming launch will be felt across the country. We want to thank the CRTC for its insightful handling of our application and let consumers know that Mobilicity will be bringing simplicity and value to Canadian wireless customers very soon.”

As part of the company roll out they are looking toward providing wireless access first in Toronto and then Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa.

Alek Krstajic, CEO of Public Mobile, WIND Mobile Should Not Have Been Allowed To Launch

Dave Forde — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:55:58 +0000

Looks like the WIND Mobile has made another enemy, this time from CEO of Public Mobile, Alek Krstajic who recently filed an application with the Federal government of Canada against the December 2009 decision to allow WIND Mobile to launch. Like the CRTC who turned down WIND, stating it didn’t mean the Canadian ownership regulations.

Krstajic added, “We believe Cabinet’s decision is unfair to other wireless carriers, especially new entrants like Public Mobile that have played by the rules and secured substantial Canadian investment. Furthermore, while we respect the government’s authority we believe what it has done amounts to a change in law, and only Parliament can change Canadian law.”

More drama for the WIND Mobile camp, but it isn’t stopping them from moving forward with their plans for growth.

CRTC Takes To The Internet, Hearing Being Streamed Live

Dave Forde — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:30 +0000

Love them or hate them, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) plays an important role in media and media usage in Canada. Most recently they have had their hands in the future of the Canadian wireless and television industries as we continue to see providers defend their territory. A private organize, CPAC is looking to bring bring the CRTC hearings to the Internet today with the launch of a new service. Starting November 16th, 2009 the CRTC will be conduction a series of public meetings where members of both the cable and satellite industry and over-the-air television broadcasters will debate the future broadcast structure. Proceedings will be streaming livefrom www.cpac.ca at 9:30 am from November 13 and 23.

Will Wind Mobile Get The Green Light From CRTC?

Dave Forde — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:18:06 +0000

Well today is a day of waiting for the team at Wind Mobile (owned by Globalive) as they await a decision from regulatory body CRTC as to whether they can become the forth wireless Canadian in Canada, adding to the existing providers Bell, Rogers and TELUS. The issues that is on the table is whether Wind Mobile meets the criteria required to become a wireless provider in Canada due to the fact that they are 65% owned by Egyptian telecom company Orascom through an investment in Globalive. No word from the CRTC and no updates on their site so the waiting game continues. Will the CRTC block Globalive CEO Anthony Lacavera, or let him enter the wireless marketplace and add a dose of competition?

Northern Ontario, Get Ready For 10-Digit Local Dialing And A New Area Code

Dave Forde — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:28:51 +0000

Northern Ontario is about to get a change in their telecommunications systems as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced yesterday that effective March 12, 2011 10-digit local dialing will be required for all local calls in the (705) area code region of northern Ontario. To prevent exhaustion of the communications system the CRTC has also announced a new area code will be implemented, (249) for the region of northern Ontario.

CRTC To Examine New Media’s Broadcasting Role…Eventually

Christie Adams — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:14:02 +0000

The Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC) is launching a study to reassess their role in digital media broadcasting. Next year.

After spending the last several months gathering information, the CRTC is prepared to hold a series of public hearings starting on the 17th…..of February. Better late than never, I suppose.

The CRTC originally decided almost a decade ago that information on the internet was exempt from the Commission’s regulations. A lot has changed since 1999, though, and with the lines between traditional and digital broadcasts becoming increasingly blurry, the CRTC has decided to take a second look at their involvement with broadcasting on the web.

At the rate they’re going, though, by the time they’ve reached a decision digital broadcasting will have evolved even further.

At any rate, the CRTC is looking for Canadians’ feedback on, among other things, the following:

-The definition of broadcasting in new media

-The significance of broadcasting in new media, and its impact on traditional media, and

-The “appropriateness” of the Commission’s exemption orders for new media and mobile broadcasting services.

That last one is particularly interesting. It almost sounds like the CRTC feels the need to bring some order to the Wild Wild Web. Or, at the very least, some Canadian content rules to what’s being broadcast through your PC.

We’ll keep our eyes on this as it (very slowly) unfolds.

Profectio » CRTC

CRTC Launches Online Consultation, We Want To Hear Canadians Concerns About Internet And Telephone Services

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