BCE buys CTV, vertical integration of telecommunications companies and media changes landscape ‘radically’
Vertical integration of telecommunications companies and media has changed the landscape “radically,” and will continue to do so as Canadians use the internet in most aspects of their lives, say experts. “It’s always changing. It’s going to change some more, especially with the internet. People now, their habits, watch what they want to watch, where […]
Clement top priority: making $40-billion telecommunications industry more competitive
Getting more competition into the $40-billion telecommunications industry through wireless spectrum auctions and foreign investment is a top priority for the federal government, says Industry Minister Tony Clement. “Given this importance, our government has made it a priority to encourage investment, innovation and competition in this sector and has taken consistent policy actions to ensure […]
It’s time to create a digital society for Canada
Internet and new telecommunication technologies are growing in importance in our society. Just recently, the public reaction to the CRTC decision to end unlimited internet services showed us the importance of the World Wide Web in the lives of Canadians. This reaction is also a prime example of concerns Canadians have towards prices and access […]
Internet a driver of innovation, backbone of a modern economy
The following is the edited speech Konrad von Finckenstein delivered before the House Industry Committee on Feb. 3. OTTAWA—I recognize that the members of this committee, as well as Canadians, are concerned about our decisions regarding usage-based billing for internet services. I am pleased to have this opportunity to clarify the CRTC’s position in a […]
A look at Canada’s leading telecommunications companies
Canada’s telecommunications industry makes up 3.3 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product, generating $40-billion of revenue annually. In 1995, six per cent of Canadians had internet access at home and only five per cent had access to high speed internet, compared to 82 per cent today and 95 per cent respectively. Canadians pay […]
We’re selling out our cultural sovereignty, feds’ argument doesn’t hold up
We can no longer deny the phenomenal power of telecommunications on the growth and development of nations, especially nations whose culture is being directly threatened. This reality is a particular concern for Quebec, a francophone nation submerged in the anglophone and Hispanic cultures of North America. Globalive’s recent efforts to capture part of the Canadian […]
Feds should move on digital issues, say critics, experts
Controversy surrounding usage-based billing for the internet shows how uncompetitive the Canadian telecommunications industry is, say critics who want the federal government to move on digital issues instead of creating a “policy vacuum.” University of Ottawa professor Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in internet and e-commerce law, said last week that while not all independent […]
Canada needs a digital strategy, say critics
Opening up Canada’s telecommunications sector to foreign investment and ownership is only one piece of the competitive puzzle. If the government wants to make Canada a truly first-rate telecommunications country, it needs a digital strategy, say critics. “Canadians are digital tourists,” said Quebec Liberal Senator Dennis Dawson. “Young people, my children, are digital citizens. They […]
Canada has gone from ‘leader’ to ‘backwater’ in global digital economy competitiveness, say critics
Industry Minister Tony Clement has said that by 2020, Canada will boast a “globally competitive digital economy.” While one policy analyst says it’s possible, opposition critics are wondering why Canada isn’t becoming more competitive sooner. The year “2020 is way too late. We’ve gone from being a leader to basically being a backwater, and for […]
Canada at ‘competitive disadvantage’ in funding innovation, say industry stakeholders
Changes to Canada’s tax regime are working to attract flagging foreign investment to Canadian innovation, but firms are still having a hard time accessing funds for their new ideas, say business and industry insiders. “We have a good research base in this country. When you have the resources to drive the research you can do […]
