Tag: Telecom roundup

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Mobile Syrup

Telecom news roundup: deals from Chatr, Lucky and Public [Apr. 22-28]

Here’s a recap of some of the leading telecom stories and deals from this week.

Business

Members of federal parliament are raising concerns following Rogers’ hiring of former Liberal minister Navdeep Bains.

New customers looking to purchase Freedom Mobile’s services will face higher pricing mere weeks after Québecor acquired it from Shaw.

Bell rolls out 5G+ in parts of Manitoba, including Headingley, Winnipeg, East St. Paul and St. Andrews.

Both Bell and Telus have added 5G+ access to their respective $85/month plans.

Bell has raised the cost of its 100GB Canada-U.S. plan by $5/month.

Telus has planted 1 million trees in efforts to fight climate change.

Rogers’ Q1 2023 results reveal the company made $3.8 billion in revenue and added 95,000 new postpaid wireless subscribers year over year.

Rogers is partnering with SpaceX to bring satellite cellular services to Canadians.

Telus has added new members to its Indigenous Advisory Council.

Deals

Public Mobile is offering customers $40 in credits if they buy a pre-owned device from the company worth at least $100. The offer is active until May 5th. More details are available here.

Public Mobile is also offering its 15GB 4G data plan for $40/month instead of the regular $60.

Lucky Mobile is offering one month of free services until May 1st. More details are available here.

Chatr is also offering a similar deal, crediting customers with one month of free credit.

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Mobile Syrup

Telecom news roundup: Cogeco buys Oxio [Feb. 18-24]

14Here’s a recap of everything that happened in Canada’s telecom sector this week.

Business

Cogeco has acquired the once-independent internet service provider Oxio. The company did not disclose the purchase price.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has launched a new consultation on telecom outages. Interested parties have until March 24th to provide comments.

Harsh weather conditions caused service problems for some Bell and Virgin Plus customers in Southern Ontario.

A recent report from Opensignal shows Bell, Rogers, and Telus offer similar 5G reach and availability.

The CRTC has directed wireless providers to launch consultations discussing plan needs with Canadians with various disabilities.

Québecor says it’s ready to expand its services outside of its home province of Quebec.

Government

Nova Scotia has invested $10.6 million in a high-speed internet project for Pictou County. The funds will benefit 4,700 homes and businesses.

Xplore and Bell have secured funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador for high-speed internet projects.

Deals

Virgin Plus and Koodo revealed new double data deals on select plans when customers use their own devices.

Some Rogers customers might be able to access 10GB of additional data for 24 months at no extra cost. Customers should check their MyRogers account to see if the deal is available.

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Mobile Syrup

Telecom news roundup: the tale of the never-ending mergers [Feb. 11-17]

With Rogers, Shaw and Québecor’s self-imposed closing deadline coming and going once again, the companies say they’re still committed to their plans.

More details, and a recap of other telecom news this week, continues below.

Business

Nearly two years after Rogers announced plans to merge with Shaw, the companies are still not one. Innovtion Minister François-Philippe Champagne still has to approve Vidéotron’s acquisition of Shaw’s wireless licenses. But NDP leader Jagmeet Singh hopes this won’t end up being the case. In a letter, Singh said the transaction will lead to higher wireless bills for Canadians. Earlier this week, the Minister said he isn’t close to making a decision.

Rogers, Shaw and Québecor have increased their self imposed deadline for the mergers to March 31st.

Rogers and Québecor are also reportedly discussing domestic romaing costs.

In response to a letter from Minister Champagne and Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, Vicky Eatrides say she will work as part of a team to “meet the needs of all Canadians.” The new Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Chair also said the Commission is working to adress issues with timeliness, accessibility, and openness.

More on the CRTC, the Commission has a new set of policy directions, courtesy of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada. The policy tells the CRTC to focus on a number of issues, including wholesale internet and mobile wireless competition.

The new directions have been met with mixed reactions. While some organizations say they are hopeful of the changes the policy will bring, others are skeptical.

The CRTC laid out groundwork for improved pole access in a recent decision.

Eatrides announced the hiring of Leila Wright as the new executive director of telecommunications .

Saskatchewan based telecom provider SaskTel will soon start looking for a new president and CEO after the company’s board announced Doug Burnett will retire. Burnett joined the company in 1990 and has held the top roles since 2019.

The company also announced that it has started connecting the residents of Swift Current with 5G access.

Northwestel is making some changes to its internet offerings come March 1st. The company will lower the cost of the Internet 500 and 300 plans. A new tier, Internet 15, will also be available for $57.95/month.

Deals

Rogers is looking to win back former customers, offering some a $60/100GB plan with  Canada/U.S. calling, texting and data.

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Mobile Syrup

Telecom news roundup: Rogers and Shaw to head to Federal Court of Appeal [Dec.31-Jan 6]

Welcome to 2023’s first weekly telecom roundup!

Business

New year, more Rogers and Shaw merger developments. The latest stems from the Competition Tribunal’s decision to reject the Competition Bureau’s arguments to block the merger. Now headed to the Court of Appeal, the merger can’t close until the court makes a decision.

That likely won’t be too far from now, as the court set a January 24th hearing date. Rogers and Shaw have set January 31st as their deadline to close the deal, which they may be forced to extend.

More in acquisitions, Telus International (TI) has completed its takeover of WillowTree, a U.S.-based digital product production company. WillowTree will serve TI’s 600 clients, including its telecom company Telus Corporation. WillowTree will help “Telus’ digital transformation ambitions,” Jeffrey Puritt, TI’s president and CEO, told MobileSyrup.

Bell and Snap have partnered to give Toronto Raptors fans a special AR experience. Those attending Welcome Toronto games at Scotiabank Arena will be able to access a Raptors AR Lens, letting them shoot hoops like the pros.

Deals

Koodo is texting subscribers with a $3/25GB extra data offer.  Other offers include $1/5GB or $2/10GB. More details are available here.

Best Buy is offering the Google Pixel 6 Pro for $8/month if you sign up with certain carriers. Plus, those activating with Koodo could score $500 in Best Buy gift cards. Learn more here.