Become a Leader of Tomorrow

Canadian leaders of tomorrow start preparing for the sixth annual Recycle My Cell Student Challenge, today!

Start plans to win the sixth annual Recycle My Cell Student Challenge today!

According to Quorus 71 percent of Canadians reported owning at least one cell phone, during a 2013 national independent survey of over 4,000 respondents. If you crunch the numbers, you’ll realize this represents a staggering number of cell phones, each a possible hazard to the environment and the health of the general public when thrown in a landfill. Making sure these cell phones are recycled and raising awareness of the need to eliminate e-waste is a job for the leaders of tomorrow.

Students of today will be the leaders of tomorrow

Leaders of tomorrow across Canada are currently taking part in the fifth annual Recycle My Cell Student Challenge, which challenges Canadian students from kindergarten to post secondary to recycle as many cell phones as possible between October 20 and November 21, 2014. The school of the winning students in each province and territory (based on school population) will be awarded $500 to be used in school environmental initiatives. Just for taking part in the program, eligible schools will receive $1 for every cell phone they recycle through Recycle My Cell, up to a maximum of $1,000.

“I continue to be amazed by the enthusiasm of Canada’s young people when it comes to respecting the environment,” said Bernard Lord, President and CEO of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA). “These leaders of tomorrow should be congratulated for their efforts in making responsible e-waste management a top priority.”

Waste Reduction Week Oct. 20-26

“Waste Reduction Week in Canada is a national awareness campaign that engages Canadians to reduce their waste by making simple, everyday choices that use the 3Rs,” said Jo-Anne St. Godard, Chair of Waste Reduction Week inCanada. “With the Recycle My Cell Student Challenge, we use cell phones and accessories as an example of how we can improve our recycling away from home and beyond the blue box. Proper management of electronics waste is critical, and the Recycle My Cell Student Challenge empowers youth to be part of the solution.”

The Sixth annual Recycle My Cell Student Challenge

Canadian leaders of tomorrow prepare for the sixth annual Recycle My Cell Student Challenge. Students start planning to collect and recycle as many cell phones through Recycle My Cell as possible, next year, today. The best time to take care of tomorrow is today!

CRTC Holding Public Hearing Concerning Sustainable Wholesale Wireless Mobile Services Market in Canada

The CRTC wants to talk about sustainable competition in the wholesale wireless telecommunication services industry

Would Canadians benefit and is competition in the wholesale wireless mobile services industry sustainable in the market place?

Gatineau, Quebec (Monday, Sept. 29, 2014) – Starting today at 9 a.m., and until Friday, October 3, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is holding a public hearing in the Outaouais room of the Conference Centre at Phase IV, 140 Promenade du Portage in Gatineau, Quebec. The CRTC wants to talk with interested Canadians about whether competition in the Canadian wholesale wireless mobile services market can be sustained. In an effort to ensure Canadians benefit from a state-of-the-art, world-class telecommunication system through the decades to come.

The 700MHZ wireless spectrum auction didn’t add as much competition for your services as first thought

Interested people can hear an audio fee of the public hearing here. You can also watch a webcast of the hearing here. 

For general inquiries about the public hearing: Telephone: 819-997-0313 or email communications@crtc.gc.ca. Toll-free # 1-877-249-2782. You can also go here to view the original reference and find more information. http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2014/2014-76.htm

To file a complaint or ask further questions go here. 

People on twitter wanting to follow the discussion online using this @CRTChearings, hashtag: #CRTCWireless.  Just search on Twitter.

If you’re thinking about a new cell phone plan? Read “Looking for a new cell phone plan“.

Read about Cisco and Wilocity Partnering on Developing Next Generation 5GB Tri-band Wi-Fi.

MTS Offering Canadians Access to iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 Plus

MTS is now offering customers in Manitoba access to the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus

Customers can purchase a new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus at a nearby MTS Connect store

Winnipeg, Manitoba (Sept. 29, 2014) – Starting on Sept. 15, 2014 residents of Manitoba can purchase a new iPhone 6 (CA$265 for 16 GB model) or iPhone 6 Plus (CA$375 for 16 GB model) through the MTS Connect store. Currently, almost 75 percent of residents can connect to MTS’s 4G LTE wireless network, and future plans include providing access to this state-of-the-art wireless network for every citizen of Manitoba.

The new iPhone 6 (6.9 mm) and iPhone 6 Plus (7.1 mm) feature some of the newest and most innovative advancements in iPhone history, packed in a lighter and thinner package users are finding easier to handle and use. Designers have added the new A8 chip, which features second generation 64-bit architecture made to offer amazingly fast performance, and improved energy efficiency for better battery life and less charging.

“MTS is delighted to add the amazing iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to our extensive wireless line-up,” said MTS President Kelvin Shepherd. “We are very pleased to offer the new iPhones with a range of attractive data plans that allow our customers to connect to our 4G LTE network with speeds of up to 150 Mbps. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus customers will also be able to take advantage of free access to all MTS Wi–Fi Hotspots so they can enjoy the incredible features to the fullest.”

MTS is currently offering customers in Manitoba four different plans to meet their daily needs. You can check out the different plans being offered by MTS here. The plans being offered do require customers to sign a 24 month service contract.

For more information on the new iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, visit www.apple.com/iphone. 

Read about the Canadian governments latest Global Privacy Sweep results.

Read about Bell’s Ready-to-go Travel Passes for international travellers.

Read about the Canadian Wireless Code and what it means for you.

 

 

MTS Offers Residents of Niverville FiON Network

FiON Network brings fastest Internet and Ultimate TV experience to residents of Niverville, Manitoba

Niverville, Manitoba (Sept. 25, 2014) – MTS recently announced the citizens of Niverville, Manitoba now have access to the industry-leading telecommunications and television services of their best fibre optics network FiON. This means people in one of the fastest growing cities in the beautiful province of Manitoba, Canada can now enjoy MTS Ultimate TV and ultra-fast high-speed Internet service.

“Niverville is one of Manitoba’s fasting growing communities and MTS is pleased to add to that momentum with our world-class fibre optic network,” said Paul Norris, Vice President Brand and Consumer Marketing. “With the MTS FiONNetwork, we can offer residents even more options when it comes to their entertainment and information choices.”

MTS Ultimate TV have access to around 500 entertaining and informative channels, with over 170 high-definition options, Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View events. Customers using this premium television service also have access to Tumblebooks, an interactive app designed and created to increase the reading level of kids. TV lovers can use the Whole Home PVR to pause or rewind their favourite shows from anywhere in the home.

MTS’s FiON Network also features the newest and fastest high-speed Internet, with download speeds reaching 250 Mbps. Giving students and residents in the city of Niverville the ability to research their school project or stream the latest YouTube videos.

“Having access to the latest technology is so important for growing communities,” said Niverville Councillor Myron Dyck. “The launch of MTS’s fibre optic network is terrific news for Niverville and we are excited about the world of new choices it brings to residents.”

For more information about the city of Niverville, Manitoba click here.

For additional information on MTS click here.

 

Bell Aliant Customers in Three Quebec Cities Now Have Access to FibreOp Service

“Celebrating the launch of FibreOP in three communities in Quebec : Luc Vandal, Sales Manager, Eastern Quebec, and Dominique Trudel, Regional Vice President, Customer Care and Community, Quebec and Ontario. (CNW Group/Bell Aliant Inc.)”.

Watch HD TV, download Internet content at over 250 Mbps and phone around the world

Quebec, Canada (Sept. 22, 2014) – Canadians in three cities in the province of Quebec can now watch television, download content off the Internet at up to 250 Mbps, and make phones calls across the world using Bell Aliant’s world class fibre optic network. Customers in Alma, Saguenay, and Victoriaville can now purchase Bell Aliant’s FibreOP service, while customers in Saint-Felicien should be able to take advantage of this offer near the end of October. They also have plans to offer this service to customers in La Baie, Riviere–du–Loup, Roberval and Thetford Mines by the end of the year.

“Launching our FibreOP service in these first three Quebec communities is a significant milestone for us and we are on track to complete the additional communities by year end,” said Karen Sheriff, President and CEO at Bell Aliant. “With today’s digital lifestyle, speed matters more than ever and FibreOP is designed to deliver the best Internet and TV experience today and in the future. We can’t wait for customers to see the difference our world class network makes in their everyday lives.”

“This $70 million investment means people in the municipalities, including Saguenay, will have access to an Internet and TV experience that is on par with what is available in large urban centres,” said Jean Tremblay, Mayor of Saguenay.

Bell Aliant’s FibreOP service includes the fastest available Internet speeds in the country, with potential to increase download speeds to unheard of limits in the future. Customers using their television service have access to a HD verified network, offering users the ability to connect with people on Facebook, Twitter, the Weather Network, Galaxie, and TMN Go.

For more information, or to sign up for Bell Aliant’s FibreOP service, visit a Bell Store near you, or www.fibreop.ca.

Source: Bell Aliant Inc.

Global Privacy Sweep Found Mobile Apps Accessing Sensitive Personal Information

Global privacy sweep raises concerns about the information mobile apps are asking to see

What information did the the mobile apps you use ask for?

Ottawa, Canada (Sept. 15, 2014) – Do you use any of the thousands of mobile apps available to Canadian cell phone users? What kind of personal information did they ask to see? The Office of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner completed a global privacy sweep of over 1,200 popular mobile apps Canadians use daily on May 18, 2014. They found some are asking for sensitive personal information they really don’t need. Others even asked for users location or access to sensitive areas, without explaining why?

 

“Fortunately, there were few examples of apps collecting the sort of information that would appear to exceed their functionality—like a flashlight app seeking permission to obtain your contacts list,” says Daniel Therrien, Privacy Commissioner of Canada.

 

“But we did find many apps were requesting permission to access potentially sensitive information, like your location or access to your camera functions, without necessarily explaining why. This left many of our sweepers with a real sense of unease.”

 

Canadians can read an article on the official website of the Office of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner concerning popular mobile apps illustrating this trend here. The commissioner thought it was best to let Canadians take a look at the results of the global privacy sweep in order to better understand the observations.

 

The Office of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner has also compiled a guide of tips to help mobile app developers communicate their privacy practices better to users.

 

“Both large and small app developers are embracing the potential to build user trust by providing clear, easy to read and timely explanations about what information they will collect and how they will use it,” Commissioner Therrien says.

“Others are missing that opportunity by failing to provide even the most basic privacy information.”

 

What sensitive information are mobile apps you use accessing? Do you remember what you provided? Did you read the available information on the privacy practice of each mobile app you use? It might be a good idea to check!

 

CRTC Holding Public Hearing in Quebec

Gatineau, Quebec (September 08) – The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is holding a public meeting in Gatineau, Quebec starting today and running until Friday, September 19, 2014. They invite all people in the province and country desiring to have their say about the future of the Canadian television system to check out the conversation and add their comments.

 

The public hearing begins at 9 a.m. in the Conference Centre at Phase IV, 140 Promenade du Portage, Outaouais room, Gatineau, Quebec. Canadians desiring to talk in person and check out the debate can stop in and possibly help determine the future of Canadian television.

 

Part of the Let’s Talk TV: A Conversation with Canadians About the Future of the Television System. Concerned Canadians can also join in the conversation and help determine the future and direction of Canadian television in the decades to come online here. This is your chance to have your say about the present condition of Canadian television and possibly help make this entertainment form better for all Canadians in the decades to come.

Read about “The Canadian Wireless Code”

Read about “Bell’s Ready-to-go Travel Passes for International Travellers”

 

Bell Adds Ready-to-go Travel Data Passes for International Travellers

Bell has added Travel Data Passes for international travellers to their roster of outstanding wireless services

Montreal (December 02, 2013) – Bell customers planning on travelling to Europe, Mexico, China and a host of other international destinations in the future will be paying less for mobile  data roaming during their stay. Bell added ready-to-go Travel Data Passes for mobile data roaming to its roster of outstanding wireless services recently. A handy and accessible way to for Bell customers to get rid of overage charges, keep track of their data use in real time, and even add more Travel Data Passes. At the same time the wireless service provider also introduced even further data roaming cost decreases for customers to a lot more international destinations.

“Bell is committed to ensuring international roaming is affordable and worry-free for our mobile customers. With real-time usage updates, Travel Data Passes make it easy to buy and manage the data you need no matter where you may roam,” said Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility and Residential Services, and Chief Brand Officer at Bell. “Bell continues to work with international telecom suppliers to cut the cost of roaming to the places worldwide that Canadians travel to the most. We started with the United States and Caribbean sun destinations earlier this year, and we’re pleased to extend data roaming price reductions to Europe, Mexico, China and other major international destinations today.”

Bell wireless service users can buy Travel Data Passes before leaving for their trip or even using the self-serve application on their cell phone. Bell customers that forgot to buy a Travel Data Pass will be sent a text message by Bell letting them know how easy it is to purchase a pass at any time.

Bell wireless customers have the ability to determine how much of their data plan they have used on a moment-to-moment basis. Their data utilization is also updated by as much as 80 to 100 percent when roaming. Bell consumers without a Travel Data Pass that keep on roaming will be told once they have used $25 on data usage and their ability to send data will be stopped once they spend $100.

Bell decreased data roaming prices for regions in Zone 1, which covers most of the European countries, places like Mexico, China, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand, and additional regions of the world. Bell customers can buy a Zone 1 Travel Data Pass for $30, which allows them up to 50 Megabytes of Internet and other data usage.

The Canadian Wireless Code

The CRTC unleashes the Canadian Wireless Code

Know your rights and obligations

The Canadian Wireless Code goes into effect today around the country and wireless service providers and consumers need to know their rights and obligations under the new wireless code of Canada. Here we discuss some of the rules and regulations wireless service providers need to know in order to do business in Canada and consumers need to understand to make sure they get the services they pay for at a fair price.

Clear and plain language

• Your wireless service provider must communicate using clear and plain language understood by both parties. The wireless service provider must make sure all documented agreements or legal documents are written and edited to ensure consumers can easily understand their rights and obligations under the contract.

• All fees, prices and applicable taxes for wireless services provided must be clearly set out in the written agreement between the service provider and consumer.

• The wireless service provider is not allowed to add any overage charge for wireless services provided on an unlimited basis, unless these charges are clearly documented in the fair use policy.

Legal contracts and agreements

• Your wireless service provider has to give you a permanent copy of the written agreement at no expense under the following circumstances.

• If you agree to the terms of your current agreement with your wireless carrier in person, your wireless service provider must provide you with a copy of the agreement immediately.

• If you agree to the terms of a wireless service provider contract online or on the phone, the service provider must provide you with copies of the legal documents within 15 days of you signing the contract. Should the wireless service provider fail to provide the required documents within the specified period of time or the terms and conditions included with the legal agreement are different than those agreed to, the consumer is legally entitled to cancel the contract without penalty within thirty days of receiving the legal documents.

• Your wireless service provider is legally required to provide you with a copy of the legal agreement between you at no charge during the commitment period. This document must be paper unless the consumer expressly requests an electronic copy of the agreement. Customers with disabilities are entitled to request a free copy of the agreement in a different format anytime during the commitment period.

• If you sign an agreement with your wireless service provider to provide you with postpaid services, the document must list a number of key terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are listed on the CRTC website here http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/t14.htm.

Additional wireless service contract topics

The link above will take you to the CRTC website where the Canadian Wireless Code is posted for the convenience of all Canadians. Here you will find additional information on everything included in the Wireless Code of Canada. This includes prepaid service contracts, providing the consumer with a Critical Information Summary, making changes to postpaid wireless service agreements, and topics related to managing bills. They also cover security deposits, issues related to mobile devices, disconnections, canceling and extending current wireless service contracts, and the expiration of prepaid cards.

Canadians concerned about making sure they understand the new Canadian Wireless Code and their rights and obligations should check out the website above for more information. This will help you get the best wireless services you can for a fair price and make sure your rights under the Wireless Code are upheld.

Canadians and the Wireless Code

Lord Davis Ellis tells Canadians what they want

The words and terms used in the Wireless Code of Canada

The Canadian Wireless Code will take effect on December 02, 2013 and this event will help average Canadians better understand their rights and obligations as contained within their contracts with their wireless carrier. The Canadian Wireless Code uses words and terms with specific meanings and definitions which the average Canadian probably doesn’t have much experience with. Here we discuss many of these words and terms and provide definitions to help you better understand your rights and obligations under the Canadian Wireless Code.

• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is a public organization that regulates and supervises the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications system to ensure that Canadians have access to a world-class communications system.

• The Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services Inc. (CCTS) is an independent organization dedicated to working with consumers and their wireless service providers to resolve any complaints relating to their wireless services. This organization collects data on complaints filed by customers, answers consumer complaints, and helps both parties come to an agreement consistent with the Wireless Code of Canada.

• The commitment period is the term or duration of the contract you signed with your wireless service provider. The commitment period for a fixed-term contract is the full length of the contract, while the commitment period for indeterminate contracts is the current month or billing cycle.

• A contract is a legally binding agreement between a customer and a wireless service provider to provide wireless services. A written contract is a legal document that outlines the content of the contract between a customer and wireless service provider.

• Device subsidy is the difference between the price on a cell phone or smartphone when it’s purchased from a wireless service provider without a contract and the amount you paid for your cell phone or smartphone when you agreed to your current contract.

• An early cancellation fee is a charge that could be applied if a customer cancels their service before the end of the commitment period.

• A fair or acceptable use policy provides information on what is considered to be unacceptable use of the service providers wireless services. This policy also covers the consequences of improperly using wireless services, such as disconnection or wireless service suspension or a modification of current wireless services available to a customer.

• A fixed-term contract is a legally binding agreement of a set amount of time, usually one, two or even three years in duration.

• An indeterminate contract is one without a specific length of time that is usually renewed monthly.

• The key contract terms and conditions are parts of the agreement with your wireless service provider which they cannot change without your consent. These terms are listed in section B.1. (iv) a-e of the Wireless Code of Canada.

• A locked cell phone or smartphone is a wireless device programmed to work only within the wireless network of the service provider you originally purchased the device from.

• The minimum monthly charge is the minimum amount you have to pay for wireless services each period, even if you do not use all of the optional services available or have any extra fees or overage charges. This charge could even be subject to applicable taxes, if this is included in the contract you signed.

• Mobile premium services or premium text messaging services are text message services customers can subscribe to for a little extra money, usually on a per-message basis.

• Optional services are additional services you can add to your wireless plan for a little extra charge, like caller ID or call forwarding.

• An overage charge is a fee added to a bill for going over the established limits of a wireless service plan or service.

• Pay-per-use services are services you can select to add to your wireless service agreement, such as international roaming, which is usually recorded and charged depending on the amount you use the service.

• Postpaid wireless services are services you pay for after you use them, usually when you get the monthly bill.

• The privacy policy is a document that explains how your wireless service provider will use the personal and financial information you provide.

• Roaming is the ability to use your wireless services when you are outside your service providers network coverage area.

• Service coverage maps are illustrations of the regions around North America or Canada where your wireless services are available.

• A subsidized cell phone or smartphone is one that has been sold to a customer by a wireless service provider for less than the retail price as part of an agreement.

• Unlimited services is the unlimited ability to use certain wireless services, like unlimited local calling, for a certain price.

• Wireless services are retail mobile wireless voice and data services provided for a charge.

These definitions should help you better understand the Canadian Wireless Code. The Wireless Code of Canada goes into effect on December 02, 2013. We will bring you more information and news on the fallout from this news in the weeks and months ahead.

Editor and Chief: Warren Wong