Internet and Telecom

Rogers and Shaw applications are pictured on a cellphone in Ottawa on Monday, May 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Former Shaw techs approve B.C. strike action against Rogers

Workers based in Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey and Langley concerned about job security

Rogers and Shaw applications are pictured on a cellphone in Ottawa on Monday, May 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
A Shaw Communications sign at the company’s headquarters in Calgary. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)

Vandals put Shaw services out in Maple Ridge over two days

Damage to company’s fibre network caused an extended outage

A Shaw Communications sign at the company’s headquarters in Calgary. (The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh)
The META logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris in Paris, France, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. The head of the Center for Journalism and Liberty says pulling ads from Facebook could push Meta toward inking deals with news outlets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Thibault Camus

Pulling Facebook ads could force Meta’s hand on news deals — if support grows

Several Canadian governments and companies pulling ads in response to platform’s news blackout

The META logo is seen at the Vivatech show in Paris in Paris, France, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. The head of the Center for Journalism and Liberty says pulling ads from Facebook could push Meta toward inking deals with news outlets. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Thibault Camus
Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez speaks during a news conference on Bill C-18, the Online News Act, along Bloc MP Martin Champoux, right, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Canadian government drops ads on Facebook, as Meta promises to block news

Feds also stopping advertising on Instagram as Online News Act fallout continues

Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez speaks during a news conference on Bill C-18, the Online News Act, along Bloc MP Martin Champoux, right, in Ottawa, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
FILE - A sign at Twitter headquarters is shown in San Francisco on Nov. 18, 2022. Thousands of people logged complaints about problems accessing Twitter on Saturday, July 1, 2023, after owner Elon Musk limited most users to viewing 600 tweets a day — restrictions he described as an attempt to prevent unauthorized scraping of potentially valuable data from the site. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Meta looks to target Twitter with a rival app called Threads

A listing for the app appeared on Apple’s App Store, indicating it would debut as early as Thursday

FILE - A sign at Twitter headquarters is shown in San Francisco on Nov. 18, 2022. Thousands of people logged complaints about problems accessing Twitter on Saturday, July 1, 2023, after owner Elon Musk limited most users to viewing 600 tweets a day — restrictions he described as an attempt to prevent unauthorized scraping of potentially valuable data from the site. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
A spokesperson for Meta says the company will be ending news availability on Facebook and Instagram for its Canadian users in response to the passage of Bill C-18. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Facebook, Instagram poised to block feeds from Canadian news media

Meta reacts to Liberal bill requiring Google and Meta to pay for news content passing in the Senate

A spokesperson for Meta says the company will be ending news availability on Facebook and Instagram for its Canadian users in response to the passage of Bill C-18. (Dreamstime/TNS)
Bell Canada signage is pictured in Ottawa on Wednesday Sept. 7, 2022. A bill meant to force big tech companies to compensate Canadian media for news content appearing on their platforms is back in the spotlight amid BCE Inc.’s decision to slash 1,300 positions, including six per cent of its media arm. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Bell cuts put Bill C-11, C-18 back in the spotlight as Meta tests blocking news

‘We’re still not going to be able to monetize our news content because Meta (will) turn it off’

Bell Canada signage is pictured in Ottawa on Wednesday Sept. 7, 2022. A bill meant to force big tech companies to compensate Canadian media for news content appearing on their platforms is back in the spotlight amid BCE Inc.’s decision to slash 1,300 positions, including six per cent of its media arm. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Bell Canada signage is pictured in Ottawa on Wednesday Sept. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Bell cutting 1,300 positions, shuttering six radio stations

Company blames cuts on unfavourable public policy and regulatory conditions

Bell Canada signage is pictured in Ottawa on Wednesday Sept. 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Bell is teaming up with Air Canada to offer free messaging for all Aeroplan members worldwide on Wi-Fi-equipped airplanes across the air carrier’s fleet. An Air Canada flight departing for Calgary takes off at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bell to offer free messaging for Aeroplan members on Air Canada flights

Bell is teaming up with Air Canada to offer free messaging for…

Bell is teaming up with Air Canada to offer free messaging for all Aeroplan members worldwide on Wi-Fi-equipped airplanes across the air carrier’s fleet. An Air Canada flight departing for Calgary takes off at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Tony Staffieri, president and CEO of Rogers Communications, speaks in Vancouver, on Monday, October 31, 2022. Rogers Communications Inc. has closed its $26-billion merger with Shaw Communications Inc. after receiving approval from Ottawa.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rogers CEO pledges reduced prices as company finalizes $26-billion merger with Shaw

The head of Rogers Communications Inc. pledged to lower costs for customers…

Tony Staffieri, president and CEO of Rogers Communications, speaks in Vancouver, on Monday, October 31, 2022. Rogers Communications Inc. has closed its $26-billion merger with Shaw Communications Inc. after receiving approval from Ottawa.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Rogers and Shaw applications are pictured on a cellphone in Ottawa on Monday, May 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Ottawa gives final approval for Rogers $26B purchase of Shaw

Companies said Friday they expected to complete the transaction by April 7

Rogers and Shaw applications are pictured on a cellphone in Ottawa on Monday, May 9, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
From left are Campbell River RCMP Sgt. Kimberly Rutherford, Northern Development Initiative Trust CEO Joel McKay, North Island MLA Michele Babchuk and Citizens’ Services Minister Lisa Beare announcing the new $75 million fund to expand cell service on B.C. highways. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

B.C. announces more funding for highway cell coverage

Greater connectivity intended to make it safer for travellers in rural and remote areas

  • Mar 21, 2023
From left are Campbell River RCMP Sgt. Kimberly Rutherford, Northern Development Initiative Trust CEO Joel McKay, North Island MLA Michele Babchuk and Citizens’ Services Minister Lisa Beare announcing the new $75 million fund to expand cell service on B.C. highways. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
FILE - Ryan Reynolds arrives at the 36th annual American Cinematheque Awards, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. U.S. wireless carrier T-Mobile announced Wednesday, March 15, 2023, that it is buying prepaid wireless brand Mint Mobile, in which actor Ryan Reynolds is a part owner, as part of a cash-and-stock deal worth up to $1.35 billion. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

T-Mobile acquires Mint, partially owned by Ryan Reynolds, in $1.35 billion deal

Reynolds to retain his role with Mint as part of the U.S. wireless deal

FILE - Ryan Reynolds arrives at the 36th annual American Cinematheque Awards, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. U.S. wireless carrier T-Mobile announced Wednesday, March 15, 2023, that it is buying prepaid wireless brand Mint Mobile, in which actor Ryan Reynolds is a part owner, as part of a cash-and-stock deal worth up to $1.35 billion. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
Carol Todd and her daughter Amanda. Carol Todd was in the legislature Monday afternoon as the province tabled legislation against the non-consensual sharing of images. Amanda Todd died of suicide in October 2012 after being cyerbullied online. (Special to Black Press Media)

B.C. tables bill against non-consensual sharing of intimate images

Carol Todd, mother of Amanda Todd, watched as Attorney-General Niki Sharma tabled legislation

Carol Todd and her daughter Amanda. Carol Todd was in the legislature Monday afternoon as the province tabled legislation against the non-consensual sharing of images. Amanda Todd died of suicide in October 2012 after being cyerbullied online. (Special to Black Press Media)
The B.C. government has temporarily banned TikTok from government-issued mobile devices. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. temporarily bans TikTok from government-issued mobile devices

Minister of Citizens’ Services Lisa Beare issued the immediate ban Monday (Feb. 27)

The B.C. government has temporarily banned TikTok from government-issued mobile devices. (Black Press Media file photo)
Minister of Heritage Pablo Rodriguez responds to a question during a session at the Canadian Media Producers Association Prime Time conference, Thursday, February 2, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Senate passes Liberals’ controversial online streaming act with a dozen amendments

Senators made amendments intended to protect user-generated content, boost Indigenous, Black content

Minister of Heritage Pablo Rodriguez responds to a question during a session at the Canadian Media Producers Association Prime Time conference, Thursday, February 2, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A provincial government report finds different levels of internet cell service for urban and rural regions of BC with rural residents paying more for worse services. (Black Press Media file photo)

Rural British Columbians pay more for worse internet, cell phone service: report

Nearly 30 per cent of provincial highways also lack cell coverage

A provincial government report finds different levels of internet cell service for urban and rural regions of BC with rural residents paying more for worse services. (Black Press Media file photo)
A photograph of the CBC building in Toronto on April 4, 2012. Musicians across the country are expressing concern for their livelihood after SiriusXM announced it would not renew their contract with CBC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Musicians worried for livelihoods after CBC contract ends with SiriusXM

SiriusXM said it is still committed to playing Canadian music in its programming

A photograph of the CBC building in Toronto on April 4, 2012. Musicians across the country are expressing concern for their livelihood after SiriusXM announced it would not renew their contract with CBC. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. Champagne says he will not approve the proposed deal between Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc., though he left the door open to a revised deal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Minister rejects Rogers-Shaw deal, sets conditions for Freedom Mobile sale

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said he will not approve the proposed deal…

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022. Champagne says he will not approve the proposed deal between Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc., though he left the door open to a revised deal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Crews from Nova Scotia Power work on reconnecting the power grid to the Glace Bay Hospital knocked out by Hurricane Fiona, in Glace Bay, N.S., Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. The premier of Nova Scotia has issued a stinging rebuke to the telecommunications companies that serve the province, saying too many Nova Scotians are still without cellphone service, four days after post-tropical storm Fiona roared across Atlantic Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Vaughan Merchant

Fiona fallout: Nova Scotia premier blasts cellphone companies’ lack of co-operation

‘There is no question we need our telecommunications companies to step up and be more transparent’

Crews from Nova Scotia Power work on reconnecting the power grid to the Glace Bay Hospital knocked out by Hurricane Fiona, in Glace Bay, N.S., Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. The premier of Nova Scotia has issued a stinging rebuke to the telecommunications companies that serve the province, saying too many Nova Scotians are still without cellphone service, four days after post-tropical storm Fiona roared across Atlantic Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Vaughan Merchant