Could any of us not be captivated by the images streaming to us from coverage of the rescue of 33 miners from the Chilean mine collapse?

From Tuesday night, I was flipping almost continuously between the two major Canadian news networks, the BBC and CNN coverage. My remote control usually gets that kind of exercise for New Years’ Day Bowl games.

Prime Minister Harper issued a statement yesterday that had an important connection for me.

Canadians can be proud that Canadian companies participated in the rescue efforts by drilling two backup rescue shafts as well as providing airlift, drilling expertise, generators, temporary housing modules and initial on-site satellite communications.

Initial on-site satellite communications were provided by Canadians.

All of the network coverage was via satellite communications. For low population density, no other technology provides the kind of capacity and coverage of satellite communications.

It is a technology that is part of the solution for ubiquitous communications. It is an area that needs further investment in research and development to ensure that all Canadians will continue to have access to enhanced broadband services.

We’re coming up on the CRTC’s universal broadband service proceeding.

They don’t call it that. Instead, the formal name is: Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2010-43-3, Obligation to Serve and Other Matters, which is a rephrasing of the original Proceeding to review access to basic telecommunications services and other matters.

Of course, no one understands those terms, which may be why the public consultation only attracted 14 comments and the response to the online consultation appears thin [English here, French here]. Did enough people understand what was being asked?

So last Friday, before we packed up for the long weekend, we received a letter from the CRTC clarifying the upcoming hearings and focussing the discussion. People have until November 12 to file a brief with the CRTC, up to 15 pages which includes an executive summary of up to 5 pages. The CRTC has asked that comments be structured to respond to the following questions.

Reassessing the obligation to serve (O2S) and the basic service objective (BSO):

1. In which markets (i.e. forborne, non-forborne) should the O2S and the BSO apply, if at all?
2. Should only the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) be subject to the O2S and the BSO where the measures are maintained?
3. Can wireless voice service satisfy the O2S and the BSO?

Determining the role of the Commission with respect to high-speed Internet access:

1. Should the Commission establish a target consisting of technical specifications for access to high-speed Internet service? If so, what should those technical specifications include (e.g. targets for upload/download speeds) and in what time frame should the target be achieved?
2. Should the Commission mandate the provision of access to such a service in areas where it is not provided?
3. Should the Commission establish a fund to enable Canadians to access high-speed Internet service in areas where it is not provided?

Reassessing the local service subsidy regime:

1. Should the Commission modify the local service subsidy regime? If so, how?
2. Should the Commission review costs and/or high-cost serving area definitions used in the calculation of subsidy amounts?

Re-examination of local competition in the territories of the small ILECs:

1. Should local competition continue to be introduced in small ILEC markets? If so, what should the terms and conditions be?
2. Given your position on O2S, BSO, and local subsidy, should the small ILECs be subject to any special considerations? If so, what should those considerations be?

What is the “O2S” and “BSO”?

Will enough people understand the economic implications in a non-monopoly, unregulated rate of return environment? Will the media help sort out the issues for the public?

Should the CRTC administer a fund to manage a subsidy program that has the majority of Canadians pay extra each month for some of our communications services so that others can get their services subsidized?

Canada’s 3 major carriers will introduce Windows Phone 7 (“WP7”) on November 8, the same date as AT&T south of the border.

We understand tht Microsoft plans to work even more closely with TELUS than with Bell or Rogers. TELUS powers its Optik TV service with Microsoft’s Mediaroom set-top box and the two companies have launched innovations together, such as the announcement in August about using XBox 360 as the Optik TV PVR.

TELUS plans to launch WP7 with 2 devices, the HTC 7 Surround and the LG Optimus 7. Bell will have the LG Optimus Quantum; Rogers is launching with the Samsung Focus.

Microsoft has imposed minimum hardware specs on each of its manufacturers, so differentiation will come from the add-ons: better cameras, sound, slide-out keyboards, etc. See Engadget for a preliminary review of the OS on a Samsung platform.

Windows Phone 7 will add a new choice for Christmas shoppers.

Will WP7 be able to restore lustre to Microsoft in the mobile space?

Is success in the mobile device space a significant factor in winning the hearts and minds of consumers for their home entertainment, their tablets and computing?

Check out the Globe and Mail’s coverage of the WP7 launch.

WP7 will include an update capability to keep the operating system fresh. One of the key capabilities that is missing from the current version is ‘cut and paste’ editting. Microsoft promises to have that available in early 2011 and all phones will be able to get that update among others.

I like the first two ads that have appeared, but I was always partial to Donovan and it is great to see new life being given to his song from 1966: Season of the Witch.

Yesterday’s papers carried the news of the arrival of fourth generation wireless to Canada with announcements by Bell and Rogers that they are trialling LTE mobile technology. However, it was acknowledged that there aren’t consumer devices available yet for LTE.

But Barrett Xplore announced that it is moving even faster. Barrett Xplore is already starting to build its commercial 4G network for rural markets, comprised of roughly 1200 towers. Operating under the Xplornet brand, this network will be capable of speeds over 40Mbps, improving to 100Mbps by next year.

I sit on the advisory board for Barrett Xplore and it is exciting news that customers across Canada will begin to have access to the advanced capabilities of this $150M investment before the end of the year.

The announcement from Barrett Xplore included confirmation of the progress of its new 4G high-throughput satellite network being launched in 2011 and 2012.

As the video says, the wait is over for rural Canada. Faster broadband is on the way.

We have begun work on The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit. Already, the first few sponsors and first few keynote speakers have been confirmed. We are ready to receive proposals for speakers and sessions.

The 2011 Canadian Telecom Summit will take place May 31 – June 2 in Toronto. This year marks the 10th annual gathering of the leadership of Canada’s communications and information technology industries.

Registrations are also open, in case you want help managing your year end budget.

What topics would you like to see us explore?