Citing “a person familiar with the plans,” Bloomberg is reporting that the Canadian government will outline sometime in February the rules for the next spectrum auction (covering spectrum in the 700 and 2,500MHz bands). The details could be made available as early as February 13th. The auction is expected to take place later this year but delays in announcing the […]
Carriers – Canada
Still no Canadian decision on telecom foreign ownership and 700Mhz auction
Speaking today at the International Institute of Communications (IIC) Canada Conference in Ottawa, Industry Minister Christian Paradis revealed little new information about possible changes to foreign ownership rules in the telecom sector and rules for the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction. He outlined one government expectation: That Canadian carriers will be expected to offer rural Canadians the same services as to […]
Canada telecommunications service complaints jump 114% over last year
The latest report from the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (CCTS) reveals that customer complaints jumped 114 percent over the previous year to over 8,000 in the 2010-11 period. 3,747 complaints had been recorded the previous period. About 62% of this report’s complaints were about billing errors or contract disputes over wireless services. The same two complaints dominated last […]
No decision yet on telecom foreign ownership from new Canadian Industry Minister
With a majority now in hand, Canada’s Conservative government is expected to have an easier time moving forward with its political agenda. One item garnering attention this week is how the government will move forward with easing foreign ownership rules in the telecommunication sector. It had first announced this intention more than a year ago. New Industry Minister Christian Paradis […]
Rogers to launch Sony Ericsson arc and PLAY late April?
A Tipster has provided MobileSyrup.com a Rogers internal document that indicates that Rogers Wireless will launch the Sony Ericsson Xperia arc and Xperia PLAY in late April. The first shipments are expected to arrive at Rogers warehouses between April 19th and 21st and to retail stores some 24 to 48 hours later. Both devices look set to sell for CA$99.99 […]
CRTC mandates easier process to port cell number to a new carrier
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Friday announced a simplified process for customers looking to switch cellular carriers. Going forward, customers should only have to make one phone call. Once proper consent is obtained, the new provider will make all arrangements on behalf of the customer. The transfer process must be completed within 2.5 hours (a similar process for […]
Videotron unveils 3G+ network with devices and plans
As expected, Videotron today launched its new 3G+ network along with devices. The network offers data transfer speeds up to 21mbps (ramping up later to 42mbps with Dual-Carrier HSPA+ technology) and will, by year’s end, cover the bulk of Quebec’s population. According to Robert Dépatie, President and CEO of Videotron: "Videotron’s 3G+ service reflects the goal we have pursued throughout […]
Vidéotron to launch 3G network on September 9th
Videotron today announced that its 3G+ network will launch on September 9th, calling the event the “dawn of a new era.” Details are slim at this point but a press conference will be held in the morning on that day to reveal all. Both Pierre Karl Péladeau, President & CEO of Quebecor and Quebecor Media, and Robert Dépatie, President & […]