Technology

CRTC takes action to bring Canadians more choice and lower prices for high-speed Internet

Published

1 month ago

August 13, 2024

OTTAWA, ON and GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 13, 2024 /CNW/ – The CRTC is taking a major step forward to improve competition in Canada’s Internet market.

Today’s decision will deliver more choice to Canadians who want higher-speed Internet at lower prices by enabling competitors to use the fibre networks of the large telephone companies and will maintain incentives for companies to invest in high-quality networks.

In 2023, the CRTC launched a public proceeding to improve Internet service competition in Canada. The record of the proceeding shows that competition in the Internet services market is declining. This has left many Canadians with fewer options for high-speed Internet.

Last November, the CRTC took a significant step to help stabilize the market. On a temporary and expedited basis, the CRTC provided competitors with a workable way to sell Internet services using the fibre-to-the-home networks of large telephone companies in Ontario and Quebec, where competition had declined most significantly. That access launched in May 2024, and competitors are using it today to offer consumers new fibre Internet choices.

Following the November decision, the CRTC continued to collect evidence and build a robust record to inform today’s decision. The CRTC received over 300 submissions and heard directly from 22 groups during a week-long public hearing in February 2024.

Based on this record, the CRTC is now extending workable access to the large telephone companies’ fibre across Canada. Starting on February 13, 2025, this new access will grow Internet competition and empower consumers with new choices. It will make Internet providers work harder to win Canadians’ business so that consumers can benefit from lower prices and innovative new offers.

At the same time, the CRTC recognizes that building out fibre is expensive. The CRTC is taking action to ensure continued investments so that more Canadians can get access to high-quality, higher-speed Internet. For example, the new access granted in today’s decision applies only to fibre that has already been built. Any new fibre built by the large telephone companies will be made available to competitors in five years. This head start gives the large companies an opportunity to more quickly make a return on their investments and encourages them to connect more Canadians to fibre sooner.

The CRTC is continuing its work to set the wholesale rates competitors pay when they sell Internet services over fibre networks. The CRTC will set just and reasonable cost-based rates for access to fibre across the country by the end of this year. These rates will be in place in time for the CRTC’s new approach to take full effect in February 2025. For now, the existing rates in Ontario and Quebec will remain in place.

The CRTC will continue to closely monitor the Internet services market and the impact of its regulatory framework to ensure Canadians benefit from increased competition, lower prices and high-quality Internet.

Today’s decision is part of the CRTC’s broader effort to ensure that Canadians have access to affordable and high-quality telecommunications services. The CRTC is encouraged by the recent competitive activity in the cellphone market, where it gave regional competitors the ability to compete as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) using the networks of large cellphone companies across Canada. By extending its existing approach for Internet services to fibre networks, the CRTC is setting a path to similar success for Internet services.

Quotes

“Today’s decision builds on our work to ensure that Canadians have access to more choice of high-quality Internet and cellphone services at lower prices. We have already taken action to encourage more competition in the cellphone market, while maintaining incentives for companies to invest in networks. We are seeing a positive impact on the cellphone rates Canadians pay and expect to see similar benefits for Internet services.”

– Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, CRTC 

Quick facts

The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. The CRTC holds public hearings on telecommunications and broadcasting matters, and makes decisions based on the public record.Today’s decision is consistent with the objectives set out in the Telecommunications Act and the government’s 2023 Policy Direction.

Associated links

Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2024-180 – Competition in Canada’s Internet service markets Review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework – Temporary access to fibre-to-the-premises facilities over aggregated wholesale high-speed access services Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-56

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

Technology

Mullen & Mullen Law Firm Launches the Mullen & Mullen Music Project

Published

42 mins ago

September 23, 2024

Supporting Local Independent Music Venues and Artists

DALLAS, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Dallas based Mullen & Mullen Law Firm proudly announces the launch of the Mullen & Mullen Music Project, a dynamic initiative created in partnership with Spune Productions. The collaboration is designed to celebrate and rejuvenate the North Texas music scene by offering a platform for both emerging and established artists. The initiative kicked off with a Concert Series at local independent music venues.

Supporting Local Talent and Venues
Running from August to April, the Mullen & Mullen Music Project will feature 12 concerts at some of North Texas’s most cherished venues. The series kicked off on August 6th with a performance by Ben Nichols of Lucero at Club Dada. The Quaker City Night Hawks made their triumphant return at Tulips FTW on August 30th after a touring hiatus. The Quaker City Night Hawks concert was filmed on professional grade video cameras installed at the venue by the Music Project and live-edited by the firm’s videographer Sean Pollaro – himself a musician. The new cameras at Tulips FTW will serve as a wonderful content creation tool for local artists.

Enhancing the Music Experience
The Music Project has allowed participating venues to expedite substantial upgrades already underway. Ferris Wheelers Live has enhanced its suites and stage while embarking on an ambitious Ferris Wheel lighting project. Club Dada has upgraded its outdoor patio stage, and Tulips FTW installed the beforementioned state-of-the-art video and streaming system, enabling artists to record music and stream live performances. Each venue will also feature new murals designed and created by local artists.

A Community-Centered Initiative
Shane Mullen, Managing Attorney at Mullen & Mullen Law Firm, shared the firm’s vision: “The trust and loyalty of the North Texas community have been the foundation of our success. This project is our way of giving back by enriching the local cultural landscape and supporting the artists and venues that make our region unique.”

Corey Pond, General Manager of Spune Productions, added: “This initiative addresses the challenges faced by the indie music scene, providing more opportunities for local artists and supporting our cherished venues. It underscores the power of community, collaboration, and the enduring spirit of local music.”

Join Us in Celebrating Local Music
Over the coming months, experience the vibrant revival of North Texas’s music scene with us. Together, let’s strengthen our community while supporting local artists and independent venues. This is our backyard – let’s make it rock!

For more information, visit: https://www.mullenandmullen.com/music/

About Mullen & Mullen Law Firm:
Mullen & Mullen Law Firm has been privileged to represent injured North Texans for over 41 years. The firm is consistently recognized by TopVerdict for obtaining some of the largest personal injury settlements in the entire state of Texas. In the last 4 years, Mullen & Mullen made the “Top 50” list 44 times and the “Top 100” list 70 times. The firm offers the services of two investigators and an award-winning videographer. Website: https://www.mullenandmullen.com

About Spune Productions:
Spune Productions is an independent leader in curating and delivering distinctive music events across Texas. Committed to enhancing communities, Spune specializes in creating impactful experiences that resonate with audiences and reflect clients’ brands. From intimate gatherings to large-scale spectacles, Spune Productions tailors each event to amplify stories through the transformative power of music. Website: https://spune.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mullen–mullen-law-firm-launches-the-mullen–mullen-music-project-302256220.html

SOURCE Mullen & Mullen Law Firm

Technology

Corteva to Participate in BMO Ag-Apalooza

Published

42 mins ago

September 23, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) announces that Chief Executive Officer, Chuck Magro, will speak at the 2024 BMO Ag-Apalooza event at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

Remarks will be webcast live. The webcast can be accessed through the Corteva Investor Relations website. A replay of the presentation will be available 24 hours after the presentation ends and will be accessible until October 24, 2024.

About Corteva
Corteva, Inc. (NYSE: CTVA) is a global pure-play agriculture company that combines industry-leading innovation, high-touch customer engagement and operational execution to profitably deliver solutions for the world’s most pressing agriculture challenges. Corteva generates advantaged market preference through its unique distribution strategy, together with its balanced and globally diverse mix of seed, crop protection, and digital products and services. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and a technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the Company is committed to maximizing productivity for farmers, while working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corteva-to-participate-in-bmo-ag-apalooza-302255653.html

SOURCE Corteva, Inc.

Technology

SEEDING JUSTICE MAKES COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR OREGON AND PACIFIC NORTHWEST COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY MULTIPLE CLIMATE BURDENS ON A GLOBAL STAGE AT THE CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE TODAY

Published

42 mins ago

September 23, 2024

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Seeding Justice’s Executive Director, Se-ah-dom Edmo, joins global leaders in expanding the nonprofit organization’s commitment to an inclusive green economy focusing on clean energy initiatives created by and for impacted communities.

Click here to watch Seeding Justice’s commitment video and learn more.

What:

Clinton Global Initiative

Who:

Se-ah-dom Edmo, Executive Director, Seeding Justice

When:

September 23, 2024

Where:

New York City, New York

Seeding Justice is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976 and is the region’s largest funder of grassroots organizing and community-led grantmaking.

We focus our work on frontline communities and use community guidance and leadership to help fund the most critical causes, including a new fund to support a community-centered, clean energy future.

Since 2020, our Community Fund program has granted nearly $34 million to communities across the state through Funds like the Reproductive Health Equity Fund and the Child Care Capacity Building Fund. Seeding Justice is also the founding funder of Oregon Worker Relief, the largest program of its kind in the state, and has supported the dispersal of more than $180 million through the Fund, which helps immigrant Oregonians make ends meet.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seeding-justice-makes-commitment-to-environmental-justice-and-economic-development-for-oregon-and-pacific-northwest-communities-impacted-by-multiple-climate-burdens-on-a-global-stage-at-the-clinton-global-initiative-today-302256239.html

SOURCE Seeding Justice