Canadian wireless cable operators want preferred access to a certain slice of spectrum so they can improve and expand their TV and high-speed Internet offerings. The request from Image Wireless Communications Inc. and Craig Wireless Systems Inc. comes in comments to Industry Canada’s consultation (Gazette Notice DGRB-06-01) on the auction of spectrum in the 2300 MHz band and fixed wireless access in the 3500 MHz band. An edited excerpt of Craig Wireless’ submission follows.

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David Colville has had his term as chair of the CRTC extended by Cabinet from August 28 "until such time as a new chairman is designated." He has been acting in the role since François Bertrand left (CCR, Dec. 7/00). He has indicated that he doesn’t want the position permanently.

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CTV, Quebecor trim staff
CTV Inc. announced Oct. 18 that restructuring would result in the elimination of about 150 positions. Most of the positions are in Toronto, with almost 20% currently vacant due to a hiring freeze imposed in the summer, management said. Efficiencies are expected from the centralization and reorganization of administrative areas such as marketing, promotion, technical and management services, CTV said. CTV’s announcement of layoffs came just days after Quebecor Inc. eliminated another 125 jobs from its newspaper division, including shutting down the free commuter paper in Toronto, FYI. The layoffs come on the heels of debt-ladden Quebecor reducing its workforce by 5 percent about five months ago. The National Post, owned by CanWest Global Communications Corp., let go 130 of its newspaper employees in September.

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Most distributors and broadcasters are advocating a light-handed approach to the licensing of new specialty audio programming services. But broadcasters say some protection is needed for existing radio stations in the current economic downturn.

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