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TAGGED AS CHRISTIAN PARADIS

Industry Canada lobbied AT&T, too

telecom | 03/17/2014 2:50 pm EDT

It will go down in history as the great telecom lobby of 2013. BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc. and Telus Corp. lobbied Industry Canada to change the spectrum auction rules favouring a foreign entrant, while Industry Canada lobbied for U.S. telecom giants to come into Canada. Lobbying works two ways. Usually it’s the companies doing the bidding, while the government twiddles its thumbs, thinking, “What have you done for me lately?” In other circumstances, the government will meet with a company and say, “So, what can we do for you?”   Verizon...

Digital economy strategy finalized and ready for release, sources say

Media | 01/30/2014 9:52 pm EST

The federal government has finalized its long-awaited digital economy strategy and could release the policy as early as next month, sources familiar with the government’s plans said. Three people contacted by The Wire Report this month confirmed a formal digital economy plan has been finalized after more than four years of preparation. They said the plan is ready for release, most likely by this spring, if not sooner. Though the sources could not confirm the contents of the finalized strategy, they said it would likely tie together a number of digital issues the government has focused on in recent years — such as copyright reform, intellectual property reform and increased...

Tories courted Verizon to enter Canada: Rogers

telecom | 07/26/2013 7:51 pm EDT

The Conservative government courted Verizon Communications Inc. as a possible new entrant into Canada's mobile wireless market, Rogers Communications Inc. executives told The Toronto Star. “Everything that they could...

New entrants leading lower mobile phone and Internet prices, report says

Media | 07/04/2013 9:05 pm EDT

Canadians are paying less, on average, for their mobile phone, home Internet and mobile Internet services than last year, a new report released by Wall Communications Inc. said. The annual report, commissioned by the CRTC and Industry Canada, released by Wall Communications Thursday, said mobile phone services are priced...

CRTC’s wireless code ‘a bit of fresh air,’ industry minister says

telecom | 06/13/2013 4:53 pm EDT

OTTAWA—The CRTC's new wireless code, which will effectively reduce wireless contracts from three to two years, is a “bit of fresh air” from a commission chairman who is taking consumer interests into account, Industry Minister Christian Paradis said. Following a speech Thursday at a symposium about...

Paradis delays auction, says no set aside spectrum transfers to incumbents

telecom | 06/04/2013 1:29 pm EDT

OTTAWA, TORONTO—Industry Canada will block Telus Corp.'s proposed deal for Dave Wireless Inc.’s mobile spectrum, as well as any other proposal from an incumbent to acquire wireless...

CRTC says consumers can cancel wireless contracts after two years, no fees

telecom | 06/03/2013 2:08 pm EDT

Canadian wireless consumers can cancel long-term wireless contracts with mobile phone providers after two years without any cancellation fees, the CRTC said in new wireless code of conduct regulations, which is expected to mean the end of three-year mobile contracts. Under the code, released Monday, consumers can back out of their wireless contracts after 24 months of service without facing a cancellation fee. That covers contract cancellation charges often of about $50 plus any unpaid portion...

Uncertainty of telecom file delaying Wind Mobile’s ownership change

telecom | 05/31/2013 6:56 pm EDT

Seven months after VimpelCom Ltd. filed an application to change control of Wind Mobile, Industry Canada still hasn't released a decision. VimpelCom, an international mobile operator based in Amsterdam, filed application last October with an expectation that the agreement would be approved within 45 days, and before an...

Allstream’s fibre network supports Accelero’s plans for Wind: analysts

telecom | 05/27/2013 8:15 pm EDT

Accelero Capital Holding's deal to purchase Allstream from Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. will give the company a cross-country fibre network that would provide backhaul support for mobile wireless services and bundled Internet, voice and mobile wireless contracts in the business market. That is, of course, if...

Delays in 700 MHz auction process increasingly likely, analysts say

telecom | 05/23/2013 7:52 pm EDT

Delays in Industry Canada's spectrum auction process are looking more likely by the day, analysts said. They said new wireless entrants will need more time to look at consolidation options after...

Dholandas replaces O’Leary in Paradis’ office

Media | 05/22/2013 9:06 pm EDT

Carl Dholandas replaced Sean O’Leary as Industry Minister Christian Paradis' lead telecom policy adviser, a person with knowledge of the staffing change said. O'Leary, who met frequently with members of the telecom industry according to registrations in the federal lobbying registry, is now working as a...

Advocacy groups ask Paradis to intervene in spectrum deal

telecom | 01/23/2013 3:49 am EST

A coalition of public advocacy groups are asking Industry Minister Christian Paradis to prohibit Rogers Communications Inc.’s from acquiring AWS spectrum Shaw Communications Inc. purchased in a 2008 auction. In a letter sent to the minister Monday, the groups—including the Public Interest Advocacy Centre...