Tag: ISPs

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Mobile Syrup

ISP Start.ca reportedly joins Telus banner

Telus appears to have acquired internet service provider (ISP), Start.ca.

Peter Nowak, an executive at ISP TekSavvy, shared the news on Twitter. Nowak didn’t share how he confirmed the acquisition.

It’s unclear how many customers the acquisition impacts and if it went through regulatory approval.

Additionally, Nowak states the telecom giant has also overtaken a second ISP, Altima.

MobileSyrup cannot independently confirm the news but will provide an update once available.

This isn’t the first time Altima’s name has been associated with Telus. Flanker brand Koodo partnered with the ISP in December to offer discounted internet services.

Both Altima and Start.ca serve Ontario residents.

Image credit: Shutterstock 

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Mobile Syrup

Canada’s digital equity gap is a growing problem: study

Aerial view of mobile phone cell tower to illustrate lack of broadband internet service in rural areas and need for investment

Digital equity gaps in Canada are continuing to grow.

According to a recent report from Deloitte’s Future of Canada Centre, the gaps include access to digital technology and skill development.

The challenges disproportionately impact Indigenous peoples, people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, racialized communities, recent immigrants, people with disabilities, lower-income households, seniors, and women.

Deloitte says income is the most important factor in accessing high-speed internet. A late 2021 survey of 2,000 Canadians conducted by the firm further highlighted this aspect.

The results show that every time home internet speeds increase by 1Mbps, household income needs to increase by $2500.

Access is critical to closing the equity gap, the study states, and there is a need to reassess available types of access.  “Otherwise, the gap between those who can succeed in the digital world and those who cannot will continue to widen.”

The survey found 58 percent of households had internet speeds above the minimum broadband speeds outlined by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunits Commission (CRTC). However, when looking at families earning less than $40,000 a year, that figure dropped to 39 percent.

The CRTC quantifies minimum speeds as 50Mbps for downloads and 10Mbps for uploads.

The report notes broadband is the key to the expansion and the “bedrock” for other pillars.

Current models for funding broadband aren’t helping either. The study notes independent service providers (ISPs) are “crucial” for providing affordable internet to underserved groups.

“The federal government’s broadband funding scheme is complex, with a wide range of funding sources, a lack of coordination between sources, and onerous application processes. This disadvantages small ISPs that lack the capacity to work through complex applications.” In instances where funding is accessed, it’s not for long periods.

The study acknowledges that the CRTC and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) hold consultations on broadband-related policies. But smaller ISPs are limited from the discussion, given time, resources, and capacity.

Possible solutions

The study gives several recommendations to inch close the divide in digital equity.

One of the most crucial ones is to expand technology access for underserved groups and include said groups in consultations. For example, residents should be part of developing programs that provide free devices or other services to their communities.

Image credit: Shutterstock 

Source: Deloitte Canada

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Mobile Syrup

OpenMedia backs bill to make ISPs provide internet speed reports

Aerial view of mobile phone cell tower to illustrate lack of broadband internet service in rural areas and need for investment

OpenMedia is asking the government to do more to address internet speed reporting from Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

The non-profit specifically points to Bil C-288, a bill that seeks to revise the Telecommunications Act to require ISPs to publicly share broadband network performance.

OpenMedia argues the private member’s bill will help Canadians make educated decisions when picking internet services. It will also see service providers compete on the network performance they’re providing customers.

OpenMedia’s campaigns director, Matt Hatfield, says the matter addresses truth and transparency.

“If an internet provider is advertising certain speeds, consumers have the right to know before they buy if those speeds accurately reflect average network performance.”

Hatfield said the bill hosts particular importance for Canadians residing in rural areas and those who rely on low-cost services. “High-speed internet underperformance is irritating; but when lower-speed internet underperforms, it effectively denies people an essential service.”

The group says Canada is behind in adopting such legislation. Australia and the U.K. recently adopted reporting requirements, and the FCC in the U.S. has required companies to provide labels that inform customers on a range of factors, OpenMedia says.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: OpenMedia

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Mobile Syrup

Canada takes 103rd place in study examining worldwide broadband cost

Canadian flag waving with Parliament Buildings hill in the background Ottawa,Ontario, Canada

Canadians will spend an average of $58,000 on broadband over their lifespan, according to a recent study from MoneySuperMarket.

The study examined the cost for 135 countries and based life expectancy on the global average of 72 years. Canada lands at 103 on the list, which shows residents will spend an average of $67 a month on the service. Out of the countries examined, only 32 countries charge residents more for internet access.

While this information isn’t new, the analysis adds fire to the longstanding problem Canadians have been complaining about for years.

Image credit: MoneySuperMarket

Any relief on the matter has been short-lived. While the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) lowered wholesale rates larger carriers can charge internet service providers (ISPs) in August 2019, they reversed the decision in May 2021. The CRTC said the decision was erroneous.

ISP TekSavvy has been working on getting the federal government to order the decision to be reversed. Their ‘Pay Less to Connect‘ campaign asks Canadians to remind their MPs to speak on the petition they filed a year ago. The campaign states the government has until May 27th to address the petition.

But why is Canada in this position? One answer comes from examining the countries with some of the highest internet rates. Brunei, for example, offers the third most expensive internet over on MoneySuperMarket’s list.

“While Brunei has great infrastructure, a lack of competition in the market keeps prices disproportionately high,” the study states.

The same is true for Canada. While there is good infrastructure, the lack of competition, with a market larger controlled by Bell, Rogers, and Telus, makes accessing cheaper internet difficult.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: MoneySuperMarket

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Mobile Syrup

Xplornet acquires Manitoba ISP Full Throttle Networks

Rural broadband provider Xplornet has completed the acquisition of internet service provider Full Throttle Networks as it continues to expand its presence in Manitoba.

Full Throttle Networks is a Winnipeg-based ISP with a fixed wireless network that provides broadband access to 1,600 customers.

In a press release, Xplornet says acquired customers will benefit from their fibre-to-the-premise, and 5G fixed wireless plans rolling out in Manitoba.

The company says it’s expanding its network in the province and upgrading towers with 5G equipment to deliver faster speeds. Those in the project area will be able to access download speeds up to 100Mbps and upload speeds up to 10 Mbps.

“The acquisition of Full Throttle Networks supports our ambitious plan to offer more Manitobans access to the latest network technologies and fastest speeds,” Bill Macdonald, executive vice-president of business development at Xplornet, said.

“We’re eager to bring the vast benefits of high-speed internet connectivity to even more Manitobans so they can connect to what matters.”

This isn’t the only Manitoba-based ISP the company has acquired. Last year, the company took over Swift High Speed and its 6,000 customers. It also acquired 160 towers from TowerCo and launched another two towers in the province.

Source: Xplornet