With the close of The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit, I need to return my attention to these pages. Just not yet.

Twelve hours of sleep was a good start.

Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your support.

I always enjoy seeing the transformation of the exhibition hall into our main room for The Canadian Telecom Summit.

Tomorrow marks the start of our 10th annual gathering of the information and communications technology industry, bringing together service providers, hardware and software suppliers, government policy makers, regulators, customers, advisory firms, the financial community and the press for 3 days of interaction, discussions, presentations, pitches, announcements, deal makings, schmoozing and good food, great coffee and a little fun.

This year, we again have a number of students from across the country – it is always great to have their viewpoints represented.

As an aside, I would like to think that if there is a similar event for Organic Chemistry, then maybe its organizer will look kindly to a request to participate from my son.

Today is the last day to register.

I hope to see many of you over the next three days. For the rest of you, follow us on Twitter using hash #CTS11. CPAC will be recording a number of sessions that will be broadcasted and will be available for streaming over the next few weeks. I will provide links when we have them.

If you can’t make it this year, we have dates for 2012 – mark them in your calendar: June 4-6.

Normally, I blog earlier in the morning, but I waited until the news could be official. We are thrilled to confirm that Canada’s new Minister of Industry, The Honourable Christian Paradis, will be delivering remarks to The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit on Tuesday May 31.

This will be the first opportunity for many of us in the Telecommunications and Broadcasting sector to engage with Minister Paradis.

Information and Communication Technology firms are faced with several crucial, hot-button issues and this is a unique first opportunity to hear from Canada’s new Industry Minister. With so many important policy developments that will impact the industry, such as spectrum allocation & usage, foreign ownership, and Canada’s place in an ever-expanding global digital economy, you need to be at The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit.

The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit is the foremost annual event for those with vested interests in the potential for Information and Communications Technology to continue creating value for all constituents.

The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit: it’s the only conference you need to attend.

Register today! Download the complete conference brochure here.

The CRTC is gathering information on internet programming and its impact on the broadcasting system.

In its Notice of Consultation 2011-344, the CRTC stated by way of a preamble:

The Commission considers that developments in the broadcasting system and related developments in telecommunications, combined with accelerating changes, warrant investigation of the nature of those changes and their impact on the Canadian broadcasting system.

It is noteworthy that the consultation is under the banner of both the Telecom and Broadcasting sides of the Commission. I started to wonder if the CRTC should be investigating the impact on the overall communications system: both telecom and broadcasting.

Comments are sought on the following points:

• the capabilities of measurement and analytical tools to enable a better understanding of [over-the-top (“OTT”)] programming trends over time;
• trends in consumer behavior, including the current and projected consumption of programming in the next five years, including Canadian and non-Canadian programming;
• technological trends in consumer devices and network capabilities that will influence the development of OTT programming;
• the possibility that, in the near term, OTT services may cause replacement or reductions in BDU subscriptions;
• the opportunities and challenges for the Canadian creative industries associated with OTT services;
• the impact that OTT services might have on the acquisition and exhibition of programming available to Canadians;
• the impact of the growth of OTT services on consumers;
• any additional issues or evidence relevant to the contribution of OTT programming services to the achievement of the policy objectives of the Broadcasting Act.

The second last point, examining the impact on consumers, might be broadly interpreted, opening the consultation to include a wide range of issues. I may explore this further next week during my conversation with CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein on June 1 at The Canadian Telecom Summit.

Have you registered yet?

Will you be with some of the most influential leaders of the Canadian & International ICT industry who will gather next week at The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit?

No other event matches The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit for the depth and breadth of topics covered and issues debated. No other event presents a complete picture of current and expected trends & developments. Come see why The Canadian Telecom Summit has become Canada’s 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 and information technology, you need to be at The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit.

Join your colleagues for 3 days of spirited discussion and networking.

Register today for The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit.

For the complete conference agenda, visit http://www.telecomsummit.com