Even before they launch service, the folks at DAVE are out there competing. A press conference and photo op has been called for February 2 at 11 am to announce the brand name for Canada’s newest mobile entrant.

Two days ago, Virgin Mobile called a press conference for the same time, promising a photo opportunity to launch the new HSPA+ network with mobile-inspired fashions created by Canadian designers.

So, those of us who follow the industry have to make a competitive choice: do we go to see Dave Dobbin and John Bitove launch a fresh mobile wireless brand or do we go to the Virgin Mobile HSPA+ event with underdressed fashion models?

How would you choose?

Monday, February 1 marks the beginning of enforcement in earnest for Ontario’s handsfree driving law. Given the spate of pedestrian deaths that have marked the beginning of 2010, we can expect to see a police blitz to convince drivers to put down their phones.

This presents an opportunity for mobile accessory sales, ranging from bluetooth earpieces to devices that use voice commands to read and send text messages and emails.

As we reported before, there is widespread support for the law, but casual observations along any major street shows that there are still a lot of people who haven’t got the message.

In December of each year, the RIDE program picks up various sponsorships to support public awareness and to get impaired drivers off the road.

Will we see the mobile service providers and device manufacturers getting involved with helping drivers conform?

As many Canadians are looking back second guessing and bemoaning at the decision to prorogue parliament, I’d prefer to look forward and ask what will be on the agenda for the next session of Parliament. When the speech from the Throne is delivered, will the government set out a bold vision for Canada’s digital future?

Over the past few years, various panels have delivered reports examining communications and competition policy. Numerous voices, including our own, have called for the creation of national digital strategy.

South of the border, the FCC has been charged with the responsibility to develop a bold vision for the US. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the FCC has been tasked with creating a National Broadband Plan that

shall seek to ensure all people of the United States have access to broadband capability and shall establish benchmarks for meeting that goal.

Can a government – in Canada or the US – set out a vision that is bold, yet affordable, while creating sustainable leadership for the benefit of a next generation economy?

On the afternoon panels of Tuesday, June 8, 2010 The 2010 Canadian Telecom Summit will explore ICT strategies around the world and host a discussion on the elements of Canada’s own National Digital Strategy.

Have you registered yet?

The Commissioner for Complaints for Telecom Services has a new logo and a new web presence, part of its program to enhance public awareness of the Commission.

The website features an easy to use interface for opening a new complaint.

The new website was delivered on-time, according to the Public Awareness plan set out by the agency.

We recognize that public awareness of our existence and the service that we offer is crucial to our effectiveness in the marketplace. Thus we are committed to working with all of our stakeholders, and particularly consumers, consumer advocacy groups, and our telecommunications service provider member companies (TSPs), to:

• increase public awareness of the existence of CCTS, our role and mandate, and the dispute resolution service that we offer consumers, both individual and small business; and
• add clarity to the internal complaint-handling processes offered by our member companies – to make the process more transparent and effective.

Over the holidays, a complaint was filed with the CRTC by a consumer agency with respect to a carrier overcharging some customers for touch-tone services. When I read the file, it seemed to me that the complaint was suited for handling by CCTS.

It will be a file worth monitoring to understand the venue selection.

A story in Wireless Week says that venture capitalists are being cautious with investments in wireless. A survey conducted by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) reported that 37 percent of respondents said venture capital investment in the wireless sector would decrease in 2010.

It is one thing to have growth in wireless and new media and internet services; it is another matter to figure out how to make money at it.

One of the afternoon panels on Monday, June 7, 2010 at The 2010 Canadian Telecom Summit will look at the next generation of business models. A session called Business Models 3.0 examines the financial implications for content and carriage.

You can now visit the conference website to take a look at the preliminary program on-line.

Early bird rates expire at the end of February. Have you registered yet?