Manitoba telco gets limited broadcast distribution licence
The CRTC has approved in part an application by MTS Communications Inc., a subsidiary of telephone company Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., for a broadcast distribution licence (CCR, May 23/02). The telco has been licensed to serve only the communities that it proposed to serve initially, namely Winnipeg and surrounding areas, which is in line with past commission decisions – Broadcasting Decision 2002-235. It had applied for a regional licence covering Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. In response to concerns expressed by cable operators regarding the potential for cross-subsidization between MTS’ telecom services and new broadcast distribution service, the CRTC said it was satisfied that sufficient safeguards and procedures already exist to address the concerns (CCR, Jan. 31/02).

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