I read with interest the letter to the editor from the Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA) published in the December 5, 2002 issue of Canadian Communications Reports, entitled "ISP ‘inaction’ to blame for lack of third-party Internet access." The letter suggests that ISPs and CAIP should "stop crying wolf" about the inability of independent ISPs to obtain reasonable access to the cable network to offer a competitive cable high-speed service, and seeks to blame ISPs for the fact that, seven years after the CRTC ordered the cablecos to offer access, there are still no independent ISPs interconnected to the networks of the big four cablecos.

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Jim Rusnak has been named VP/GM of CTV British Columbia, effective Jan. 1. He has held numerous senior broadcast management roles, including president of western operations for the Global Television Network (2000-2002), and president of CanWest Television Inc. (1993-2000).

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Decima Reader Online Poll, October/November 2002
Twenty-nine per cent of Decima Publishing readers responding to an informal online poll indicated that they felt any skills shortage in the communications sector had been mitigated by heavy layoffs. A key theme from the Speech from the Throne, delivered on September 30, was on the need to attract skilled workers. Decima Publishing subscribers were asked in October/November 2002 whether they believed that: there is no shortage; the skills shortage has been mitigated by heavy layoffs in the communications sector; Canada must immediately invest more heavily in education to train Canadians for skilled jobs in the communications sector; or a poor investment climate, and not a lack of training, is responsible for the skills shortage?

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Calgary-based Suite Systems Inc. abandoned its plans for an IP-based television distribution service due to a downturn in the markets and its inability to gain access to utility poles that would bring fibre to its buildings, according to VP of operations Michael Guyette.

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Editor's Note: The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, which is studying the broadcasting system, had intended to go to London, England; Washington DC; and to host a three-day retreat at Meech Lake to put together its report. But the committee’s request for financing for the travel was turned down by the Budget Sub Committee on December 5. Thus, further to the article below, committee members will examine the legislation in paper form only. Members will not be traveling to England to question Parliamentarians there on the British bill.

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The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage will likely recommend the status quo regarding foreign ownership in the broadcast distribution and broadcasting industries when it releases its report on the Canadian broadcasting system next March. Few members of the committee have expressed agreement with the cable industry’s contention that foreign investment rules must be eased so that cablecos can generate the necessary capital to introduce new products, such as video-on-demand (VOD), and continue the rollout of high-speed Internet access services (CCR, Dec. 5/02).

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A costly minimum monetary guarantee required by the National Hockey League for its NHL Centre Ice pay-per-view (PPV) package is likely the main reason why more distributors in Canada haven’t embraced it. Loosening carriage terms for the premium digital sports package would help at least one small cable operator compete for digital subscribers with heavyweight Bell ExpressVu LP.

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As fully expected, Vidéotron ltée’s application to the Federal Court of Appeal for leave to appeal a CRTC decision on inside wiring in Quebec apartment buildings is being opposed by several of its competitors. In a separate but related proceeding, satellite TV distributor Bell ExpressVu LP, Cable VDN Inc., and wireless cableco Look Communications Inc. are also expected to object to Vidéotron’s request to the CRTC to reconsider its decision to issue a mandatory order requiring that it lease the inside wires it owns to competitors for 52 cents per subscriber per month (CCR, Oct. 10/02).

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