While it held their public hearings two days apart, the CRTC today ruled on both Rogers Media Inc.'s and Astral Media's proposed acquisitions of the Citytv stations and Standard Radio Inc., respectively.
Finalist: the Great Canadian Video Game Competition made our company viable
With its inaugural Great Canadian Video Game Competition now over, Telefilm Canada hasn't yet decided if it will sponsor a second instalment of the event. One of the finalists, however, has already made up Telefilm's mind.
Regulation and Policy: Business service to get subsidized by residential overpayments
Broadband for businesses located in rural and remote areas appears set to get a helping hand from residential subscribers in urban areas. A CRTC proceeding is considering the ILECs' specific broadband deployment plans for these unserved areas of the country, but an appeal by Barrett Xplore Inc. is attempting to halt the process.
Palm going after potential Pearl users
Palm Inc. is lowering the bar for entry level smartphone users with the introduction of the Palm Centro. The new slick device that is about the same size of a BlackBerry Pearl from Research in Motion Ltd., but only costs US$99 with a two-year service contract. Sprint-Nextel is the exclusive supplier for the next 90 days, according to a Palm news release.
Digifonica names executive chair
Digifonica International Inc. has appointed Colin Tucker as executive chair of the board of directors. The appointment is subject to regulatory approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. Tucker brings more than 30 years of senior telecommunications leadership experience, including serving as deputy chair of Hutchison 3G where he also served on the boards of the "3" operations in the UK, Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, Israel and Australia.
Tucker will serve as a principal advisor providing corporate strategic development and guidance in relation to the ongoing roll-out and development of the company's gext-generation fixed, wireless and mobile IP telecommunications services and solutions worldwide.
DragonWave gets access to more intellectual property
DragonWave Inc., a provider of broadband wireless backhaul systems, has announced an agreement with NEC that will give the Ottawa-based company access to some of NEC's patents. The transaction will allow DragonWave to further extend "our ability to deliver innovative solutions to our customers," Peter Allen, president and CEO of DragonWave, said in a statement.
Telus, OPL respond to CIPPIC DRM study
Representatives from Telus Corp. and the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) have responded to the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC) report alleging both organizations offered digital rights management (DRM)-enabled services that violated privacy laws. While both parties seem sincere in their desires to protect customer privacy, opinions appear to differ about what is considered personal property.
Nortel entering WiMAX device market
MTS Allstream debuts connection manager service
MTS Allstream Inc. is making it easier for its customers to find and use the most appropriate data network – wired and wireless. The Manitoba company unveiled its connection manager PC software this week that allows its subscribers to connect to the best data network available at home, work, the airport or anywhere there is an Ethernet, Wi-Fi or mobile network. There is no cost for the software. "With connection manager, MTS Allstream customers can quickly and easily manage their wireless connectivity while mobile, without ever having to search for a connection," said Stan Kurtas, VP of marketing in MTS Allstream's consumer markets unit. "Implementing connection manager will allow customers to turn on their computers or cell phones and be automatically connected to a network without having to log in or out of data sessions."
Mitec completes acquisition of Keragis
Montreal-based Mitec Telecom Inc. has finalized the acquisition of Keragis Corp. of California. Announced mid-August, the deal will result in Mitec gaining access to next-generation power amplifier technology for the commercial and military communications and radar applications. "Keragis' patent-pending design permits the integration of amplifiers into compact structures with very high efficiencies. This will give Mitec the ability to design high power amplifiers in smaller and lighter packages, a key factor in radar and VSAT systems," read a statement.