CRTC seeking data-only wireless plans and sets final wholesale roaming rates

Posted on March 22, 2018 by brianbeaton

From https://www.canada.ca/en/radio-television-telecommunications/news/2018/03/crtc-continues-to-foster-investment-innovation-and-affordable-choice-in-the-wireless-market.html CRTC continues to foster investment, innovation and affordable choice in the wireless market News release From Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Seeks to make data-only wireless plans more widely available to Canadians and sets final wholesale roaming rates March 22, 2018 – Ottawa-Gatineau – Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) The CRTC today launched a[…]

New article published about FMCC regulatory efforts: GIS Mapping and Policy Advocacy

Posted on January 16, 2018 by robmcmahon

An article based on FMCC efforts at the CRTC is now published in the Journal of Information Policy. The article is co-authored by FMCC researchers Rob McMahon, Trevor Smith, and Tim Whiteduck. Reclaiming Geospatial Data and GIS Design for Indigenous-led Telecommunications Policy Advocacy: A Process Discussion of Mapping Broadband Availability in Remote and Northern Regions[…]

FMCC team featured on CIRA blog

Posted on December 18, 2017December 18, 2017 by robmcmahon

The following article was posted by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority. CIRA’s Community Investment Program celebrates its fifth year – Part 2: The First Mile Connectivity Consortium CIRA is embarking on the fifth year of its Community Investment Program. Canadian not-for-profits doing good things for and through the internet can apply for a CIRA grant[…]

FMCC files comments to CRTC (2017-359) on Future Programming Distribution Models

Posted on December 5, 2017December 5, 2017 by brianbeaton

On Friday, December 1, 2017, FMCC filed our comments on the Future Programming Distribution Models with the CRTC. The CRTC put out this Call for Comments in response to the Governor in Council’s request for a report on future programming distribution models to be presented before June 1, 2018 (https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2017/2017-359.htm and https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2017/2017-359-1.htm). FMCC’s submission is available for[…]

FMCC Comments on CRTC Broadband Fund Development

Posted on November 25, 2017December 16, 2017 by robmcmahon

FMCC is participating in CRTC 2017-112 “Development of the Commission’s broadband funding regime”. These public proceedings examine matters related to the establishment of the broadband funding regime, including its governance, operating, and accountability frameworks, as well as eligibility and assessment criteria for proposed projects. For more information, the public notice is posted here. Requests for Information in CRTC 2017-122:[…]

CRTC Denies Northwestel Request for Forbearance of Regulation of Wholesale Connect Service in NWT

Posted on August 25, 2017 by robmcmahon

Yesterday (Aug 24) the CRTC released its decision denying Northwestel’s request to be forborne from regulation of the Wholesale Connect service in light of the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link. From the CRTC’s announcement: The Commission denies an application by Northwestel for requesting forbearance from the regulation of its Wholesale Connect service in the communities served[…]

FMCC team presents at Indigenous Radio conference in Ottawa

Posted on June 22, 2017June 22, 2017 by robmcmahon

A team of First Mile partners including Penny Carpenter from K-Net Services, Tim Whiteduck from First Nations Education Council (FMCC Chair), Dr. Heather Hudson and Dr. Rob McMahon travelled to Ottawa on June 15-17 to participate in the Indigenous Radio National Conference at the University of Ottawa. The presentations and notes about the conference will[…]

CRTC puts an end to locked cellphones and unlocking fees ..

Posted on June 15, 2017 by brianbeaton

From http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/crtc-bans-cellphone-unlocking-fees-clarifies-family-plan-rules-1.3460638 CRTC bans cellphone unlocking fees, clarifies ‘family’ plan rules Terry Pedwell, The Canadian Press Published Thursday, June 15, 2017 3:35PM EDT OTTAWA — Cellphone companies will soon no longer be allowed to charge customers to unlock their devices, Canada’s telecom regulator said Thursday as it unveiled sweeping changes to the wireless code of conduct.[…]

Jean-Pierre Blais’ Term as CRTC Chair – Michael Geist blog

Posted on June 13, 2017 by brianbeaton

From http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2017/06/blaiscrtc/ Putting the Internet at the Centre: Taking Stock of Jean-Pierre Blais’ Term as CRTC Chair June 12, 2017 Barring a last minute extension, CRTC Chair Jean-Pierre Blais’ term will come to an end this week. For those new to the CRTC, it is difficult to overstate just how much changed both procedurally and substantively[…]

CRTC rules against zero-rating by telecom industry

Posted on April 21, 2017 by brianbeaton

From http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/crtc-zero-rating-differential-pricing-decision-videtron-net-neutrality-2017-1.4077717 Your internet provider can’t pick which apps and services count against your data cap, says CRTC In a win for net neutrality advocates, carriers can’t use a controversial pricing practice called zero-rating By Matthew Braga, Last Updated: Apr 21, 2017 If zero-rating is allowed, an internet provider could decide to exempt a video streaming service such[…]