For those of us who were listening to the CRTC’s Mandatory Distribution hearing last week, we heard from a fascinating range of applicants as they defended their cases before the Commission. Some were representing well funded companies, with panels led by experienced regulatory professionals; others included personalities that made for entertaining exchanges with the Commissioners; other applicants were clearly not prepared. In an editorial today, the Globe and Mail refers to mandatory carriage as “misdirected tool of cultural engineering”. The proceeding continues this week.

As I listened to a number of the applicants, my impression was that many were stuck in a different era, when linear TV reigned supreme. I was struck by the apparent disconnect about the role of alternate forms of access for video content. More than one applicant spoke of curating user generated content on TV – effectively seeking to bring YouTube to basic cable. Is that really meeting an exceptional need?

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, at The 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit, we are looking at how TV content is being consumed across more platforms and networks. We have pulled together a panel that can look at the issues from every angle, including content creators, technology, distribution, market demand. The Revolution of TV: Content Anywhere & Anyhow will be on our main stage on Tuesday afternoon, June 4, 2013. On Monday afternoon, June 3, there is another relevant panel (also on our main stage), looking at Business Models in a Converged World.

The Canadian Telecom Summit opens in 5 weeks. This is where stakeholders in the communications and technology sectors get together to discuss issues in both a structured atmosphere of frank discussion and high-octane idea exchange, as well as schmooze in a more relaxed social setting of genial conversation. You should be there too.

To help with networking, at the conclusion of the first day, we hold our not-to-be-missed Cocktail Reception, sponsored this year by Ericsson. This is a chance to unwind, enjoy some delicious food & drink, catch up with colleagues and make new professional acquaintances.

Come meet with leaders from services and equipment suppliers, applications developers, policy makers, regulators and major customers.

Book your seat early. The Canadian Telecom Summit is the only event you need to attend.

Register now: www.telecomsummit.com. Prices increase May 1.

A little over two years ago, I wrote about the Canadian telecommunications sector losing ground on diversity in the executive ranks.

As an industry, we have seen considerable progress since then, evidenced by the agenda for The 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit, taking place June 3-5 in Toronto.

This year’s event will feature 3 women in keynote speaking roles, including past recipient of the “Woman of the Year” title from Canadian Women in Communications, Karen Sheriff (President & CEO of Bell Aliant). She is joined by Qualcomm’s Peggy Johnson and IBM’s Sandy Carter.

In addition to over a dozen powerful Canadian and International keynote speakers, the Summit will feature the following panel discussions:

• CIO/CTO Roundtable;
• Revolution of TV;
• Regulatory Blockbuster;
• Wireless: the Next Generation;
• Customers Speak Out;
• Customer Focused Business Transformation;
• Devices, Screen and Apps;
• Network Transformation;
• Business Models in Converged World;
• Building an Innovation Economy.

The 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit reviews where we have been as an industry, provides an understanding of the dynamics that propel it and forecasts future trends and expected developments. Now in its 12th year, attendance is a must for telecom and IT industry professionals, corporate users, carriers and manufacturers financial analysts, consultants and investors.

Don’t miss this truly unique opportunity to hear keynote addresses from the top industry shapers, to pose tough questions of them and the senior panelists, and to interact with them and your fellow attendees at the extended breaks and cocktail reception.

There is a special offer for CWC members as described here.

For more information, visit The Canadian Telecom Summit website. Have you registered yet?

As my regular readers know, the most influential leaders of the Canadian & International ICT industry will be gathering in Toronto from June 3-5 at The 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit. You should be there too.

Alone, any of our keynote speakers would be well worth listening to. The Canadian Telecom Summit brings over a dozen keynote address – and more than 50 panelists – over 3 unmatched days of presentations, discussions, idea sharing, relationship forming and even deal making. There is no other event quite like it.

Now in its 12th year, The Canadian Telecom Summit has grown to become Canada’s most important annual telecommunications & IT event, attracting hundreds of attendees from around the world. No other event presents a complete picture of current and expected trends & developments. No other event matches The 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit for the depth and breadth of topics covered and issues debated.

Come see why The Canadian Telecom Summit has become the sector’s only must-attend conference. With more opportunities than ever to learn, network and do business, if you are involved with or impacted by Canadian telecommunications, broadcasting or information technology, you need to be at The 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit.

Join your colleagues for 3 days of spirited discussion and networking. Register today for The 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit.

Visit http://www.telecomsummit.com to register today. Prices go up May 1.

From June 3-5, stakeholders in Canada’s telecommunications and ICT sectors will be getting together in Toronto to meet, network and explore issues at the nation’s leading industry event, The 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit.

In addition to over a dozen powerful Canadian and International keynote speakers, The 2013 Canadian Telecom Summit will feature some of the best panels that we have presented in the history of this event:

• CIO/CTO Roundtable;
• Revolution of TV;
• Regulatory Blockbuster;
• Wireless: the Next Generation;
• Customers Speak Out;
• Customer Focused Business Transformation;
• Devices, Screen and Apps;
• Network Transformation;
• Business Models in Converged World;
• Building an Innovation Economy.

Seventy top speakers will help stimulate discussion of the issues that shape communications services. Now in its 12^th year, attendance is a must for telecom and IT industry professionals corporate users, carriers and manufacturers financial analysts, consultants and investors.

Have you registered yet? Prices go up May 1. Check out the conference website and register today.

It’s settled. Canada’s wireless sector is fiercely competitive according to Industry Minister Christian Paradis.

In Monday morning (April 15), the Minister held a conference call to discuss highlights of his trip to Asia. According to the transcript of the call, there was an exchange with Andrew Mayeda of Bloomberg News:

Question: Hi, Minister. I wanted to ask you about the wireless market back home in Canada. There have been reports that now it’s not just Wind Mobile that is potentially on the block, that also Mobilicity and Public Mobile are potentially for sale and that there’s a high possibility that those companies could end up going to the incumbents. You said publicly that you’d like four major wireless carriers in every part of the country. Are you concerned about the way things are going right now? And what steps might you take to deal with the situation?

Hon. Christian Paradis: First of all, of course this is – I always – you know, I always said that I acknowledge that this is a fierce sector in terms of competition. The competition is very high. Consolidation of course might occur but on the other hand I think we put the best policies in place in order to enhance the fact that we can have a fourth player in each region of the country in terms of competition and more investments. We also launched consultations about – about the transfer – the licenses – transfer criterias so now we are listening to what the industry has to say. But I think that we are on the right track to – in terms of policy. Of course it’s a work in progress. We will see what’s going on but I still remain confident that we will achieve our goal.

A fierce sector in terms of competition. If so, what is motivating the expanded roaming and tightened tower sharing rules announced in early March?

Jeff Fan from Scotiabank issued a new report yesterday, warning “A messy situation may be developing for Industry Canada.”

For IC, it’s a case of catch 22. If it doesn’t allow the transfers, it risks legal action. If it allows, we have consolidation. This may turn out to be a no-win situation. As we have noted before, we think IC should declare victory while it is ahead. Don’t fight a battle that cannot be won. Stop listening to the consumer activists and groups criticizing the wireless industry with outdated information. Canada is not large enough to support four facility-based competitors. IC should focus on the CRTC code to protect consumers and provide the CRTC with more power to enforce the code appropriately.

The fact that the United States is having a difficult time creating a viable third should be a lesson for Canada that a viable fourth carrier in every region of Canada is a long shot.

These points should provide be some interesting fodder for discussions arising at The Canadian Telecom Summit in June. Are you registered yet?