Telecom news roundup: Competition Bureau ends fight to block Rogers-Shaw merger [Jan 21-27]

The Competition Bureau will not enchantment in opposition to the Rogers-Shaw merger and Vidéotron’s takeover of Freedom Mobile.

The federal division was searching for to overturn a ruling made by the Competition Tribunal supporting the merger. However, the Federal Court of Appeal was fast to rule in opposition to the enchantment, ending a months-long push to block the mergers.

More data, and a recap of different telecom news in Canada, can be found under.

Business

Globalive is searching for a return to the wi-fi market by buying spectrum from Xplore Mobile. The telecom supplier shut down in August. It’s unclear how a lot Globalive has provided for the spectrum and if Xplore Mobile and ISED will approve.

Vicky Eatrides is the CRTC’s new chair, and he or she has a number of priorities to deal with in her new function. This consists of suppliers sharing extra data on MVNOs and decreasing wholesale web pricing.

Remember BlackBerry? The gadget could be useless, however the firm’s story lives on thanks to Matt Johnson’s film named “BlackBerry.” The movie follows the work of Research in Motion (RIM), the corporate behind the smartphone. It will make its world premiere on the Berlin International Film Festival in February.

The Competition Bureau has ended its bid to block Rogers’ takeover of Shaw after the Federal Court of Appeal rejected its bid to overturn the Competition Tribunal’s determination. The anticipated listening to was quick, with Justice David Stratas questioning the bureau’s arguments. Rogers, Shaw, and Québecor didn’t current their arguments. The determination left a number of telecom advocates disenchanted.

In order for the merger to proceed, it wants Minister François-Philippe Champagne’s approval. According to a current interview with the Toronto Star, he’s in no hurry.

The House of Common’s business and know-how committee additionally mentioned Rogers’ takeover of Shaw and Vidéotron’s acquisition of Freedom Mobile. Many of the questions revolved round how Rogers chosen Vidéotron to take over Shaw’s wi-fi spectrum licenses.

Bell Aliant charged a Nova Scotia senior long-distance pricing for native calls and didn’t admit its mistake and make a change till the CBC reported on the problem.

Telus has created a brand new client options enterprise specializing in customized tech options.

The telecom large has additionally expanded its 5G partnership with the University of Windsor.

Innovation Canada held its first residual spectrum auctions since 2018, promoting 600 MHz, 2500 MHz, and 3500 MHz spectrum licenses. Several corporations secured licenses, together with Bell, Rogers and TBayTel.

SaskTel has began rolling out its 5G community within the Battlefords, offering residents and companies with hastens to 1.2Gbps.

Bell held its first Let’s Talk Day after changing its conventional donation methodology. The firm beforehand made a five-cent donation per interplay however opted for a capped $10 million donation this yr.

Eastlink is shut to finishing its fibre improve in Mindemoya, Ont.

Plan updates

The latter a part of this weekly replace is often reserved for wi-fi offers. However, wi-fi suppliers didn’t launch any offers this week, elevating costs as an alternative.

Fido has elevated its month-to-month plans by $5 a month, however clients can cancel the associated fee in the event that they join Automatic Payments.

Bell and Virgin Plus will enhance roaming charges by $1/day on March ninth. The enhance applies to each U.S. and worldwide roaming plans.