The CRTC announced last week it had started a review of certain Phase II costing issues – procedures that originally set in 1979. Since that time, there have been various modifications to Phase II costing studies and the cable companies have started using them for their third party Internet access services. Initiated on March 30, Telecom Public Notice 2007-4 will look at the following:

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In two March 30 decisions, the CRTC has indicated it will soon initiative a proceeding to address accessibility issues for persons with disabilities, including those who are blind. Telecom Decision 2007-19 states that there is "merit to expanding the scope of alternative format obligations and requiring that electronic information be made accessible to persons who are blind." Telecom Decision 2007-20 denies an application from Marie Laporte-Stark and Chris Stark requesting the commission to re-regulate terminal equipment, but the CRTC notes that it will look into accessibility issues.

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The buzz at CTIA 2007 is around mobile advertising and speed-to-deployment of new mobile services, according to a survey of mobile industry leaders conducted by LogicaCMG Telecoms. A total of 41% of the attendees polled ranked mobile advertising as the biggest trend they are seeing at the show. This increased interest in advertising models was considered the biggest surprise at the show, said 22% of conference goers. "The mobile industry is approaching advertising very cautiously, and is watching consumer adoption very closely to ensure success," said Wayne Irwin, president of the North American LogicaCMG Telecoms office.

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Yahoo Music Canada recently announced that it has sponsored JunoFest 2007, a two-day music festival that showcases close to 100 bands in 15 venues across Saskatoon. The performances will feature established artists, independent acts and Juno nominees. Yahoo Music Canada is facilitating the connection of the festival and the Juno Awards with Canadians across the country through the use of the Internet. "Sponsoring JunoFest is our way of connecting with musicians and fans across the nation, and of celebrating the amazing music that this country has to offer," said the company's manager, Andy West. The company has created a Juno Awards feature online that allows users to connect to the Juno experience through video and audio content and social media tools like 360 blogs and flickr.

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JumpTV Inc. and Joost have partnered to make a significant part of JumpTV's library of video-on-demand television content on the Joost platform. The offering will feature Spanish-language series from Columbia , Chile and Peru as well as Arabic-language comedies, dramas and news programs from the Middle East . JumpTV also intends to launch programming from other countries, including Romania , Turkey , Russia and Bengal . "Given the track record of the Joost founders, we believe that the Joost platform could be as transformational for online television as their previous ventures have been," said Kaleil Isaza Tuzman, the president and CEO of JumpTV International.

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Hamilton-based Mountain Cablevision Ltd. was recently honoured with the Outstanding Business Achievement Award in the communications technology category by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. The company offers communication and entertainment services including digital cable television, HDTV, high-speed Internet and telephony service. "We work hard to deliver quality services to our customers so it is an honour to get that acknowledgement," said company president John Piercy. The company's hybrid fibre-coax network serves the Ontario communities of Hamilton , Mt. Hope , Binbrook, Cayuga, Caledonia , Hagersville, Jarvis and Dunnville.

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Star Choice Communications Inc., a subsidiary of Shaw Communications Inc., has expanded its high definition channel line-up to 25. It has also launched the World Fishing Network and GOLTV, Canada 's first 24-hour soccer network, to the line-up. "We remain completely dedicated to providing our customers the very best digital television experience in Canada," said VP of operations Jim Cummins. Four of the seven new channels are now available, with the launch of three new French HD channels dated for May 2007.

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Rogers Cable Communications Inc. just announced that, as of April 1, portable Internet from Rogers Yahoo Hi-Speed Internet will be available in more Canadian communities. The expansion will include more than 100 urban and rural areas, and customers can use portable Internet anywhere within the coverage area, including moving from room to room, around the community and even from city to city. "More and more customers require a plug and play solution when accessing the Internet, so they have the flexibility to go anywhere and still stay connected," said Tom Turner, VP and GM of Internet service for Rogers.

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