gatekeepers-share_1.png In response to this morning’s announcement by Industry Minister James Moore regarding funding for Internet service providers (ISPs) looking to expand broadband services into rural and remote parts of Canada, OpenMedia.ca Campaigns Coordinator, Josh Tabish, said: “While we welcome any measure that would improve Internet service for rural Canadians
Continue readingTag: Vertical Integration
OpenMedia.ca: Should you be taxed extra to watch the Trailer Park Boys on Netflix?
Fans of popular Canadian comedy The Trailer Park Boys have reason to cheer, following an announcement that two new seasons are coming to Netflix this fall. Sadly, policymakers at the CRTC are considering a new tax on online services like Netflix, to subsidize broadcast media content for Big Telecom. This
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: As Big Three aim to consolidate telecom dominance, Canadians come together to discuss new solutions to build a more ‘Connected Canada’
fb_badge.png Citizen-backed OpenMedia.ca is organizing a series of events across Canada to ensure the CRTC puts Canadians first when it comes to key digital policy decisions January 16, 2014 – On the heels of independent provider Wind’s shocking withdrawal from a crucial auction of wireless assets, OpenMedia.ca is pushing back
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Guest blog by Barry Shell – How Big Telecom makes trouble when switching Internet providers in Canada
Here’s a guest blog by OpenMedia.ca community member Barry Shell, who is writing to: “show everyone how Shaw and the other major Canadian Internet providers deliberately invent unnecessary obstacles to try to stop Canadians from getting lower-cost service from independent providers.” Imagine having to pay nearly $200 whenever you want
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Why the Bell-Astral merger could make Canadian media even worse
Two weeks ago, we shared your disappointment at the approval of Bell’s takeover of Astral Media. Here’s why so many of us opposed this deal. Article by Tamara Khandaker for Vice: The often drab landscape of Canadian media changed in a big way on Friday, after Bell Media purchased Astral
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Canadians disappointed in CRTC decision to approve Big Media Bell’s power-grab of Astral Media
AstralCart.png Takeover will mean lost jobs, higher prices, and less media choice – it’s time for government to take clear action to tackle Big Media dominance, says OpenMedia.ca JUNE 27, 2013 – OpenMedia.ca is condemning today’s CRTC decision to allow big media giant Bell to take over Astral Media. Thousands
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: CRTC to decide whether to allow Bell’s takeover of Astral on Thursday; OpenMedia.ca available to comment
Takeover_460x110_120816.png Decision will determine whether Bell will be given more control over Canada’s already highly-concentrated media system WHO: Lindsey Pinto, Communications Manager, OpenMedia.ca David Christopher, Communications Coordinator, OpenMedia.ca WHAT: The CRTC will announce whether they will allow big media company Bell’s proposed takeover of Astral Media. The CRTC denied Bell’s
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, warns against governments taking control of the Internet
The inventor of the World Wide Web warns that companies and governments are trying to take control of the Internet, undermining the founding principles of the web. He is calling on all web users to demand better legal protection and due process safeguards for the privacy of their online communications,
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Bell-Astral takeover would give Bell millions of your dollars
Last year telecom giant Bell unleashed a new $3.4B plan to take control of Astral Media, one of Canada’s largest media companies. Canada already has one of the most highly concentrated media systems in the industrialized world, and this deal would only make this situation worse by giving Bell a
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Hearing Starts Today on Bell’s New Attempt to Take Over Canada’s Largest Independent Content Company; OpenMedia.ca Available for Comment
Takeover_210x150_120816.png Today is beginning of a week-long hearing to determine whether Bell should be given more control over Canada’s media system WHO: Steve Anderson, Executive Director, OpenMedia.ca Lindsey Pinto, Communications Manager, OpenMedia.ca WHAT: The CRTC is holding a public hearing in response to Bell—Canada’s largest telecom and media conglomerate—once again
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Less than 12 Hours to Stop the Takeover!
Today is the LAST DAY to push back against Bell’s attempt to control more of our communication sources! Bell’s power grab for Astral Media would mean less choice for Canadians. We stopped this deal before, so let’s raise our voices again. Submit your comments TODAY by 5pm PST (8pm EST)
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Have you seen this honest Internet company?
A satirical video from Extremely Decent Films about “honesty” in the telecommunications industry went viral this weekend. A number of our community members took a stand and shared the video in order to help spread the word about our lack of choice for Internet, cell phones, and cable. ***Disclaimer: The
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Pushing back against Bell/Astral 2.0
Check it out as Lindsey Pinto pushes back against the newest attempt by Bell to control more of our media. read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Time for an upgrade | Weekly News Update from OpenMedia.ca
Hello! Here’s Lindsey with your update: read more
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Telecom Giant Bell Re-Attempts Takeover of Astral Media Assets
openmedia_logo.jpg Bell refuses to listen to public opinion and continues to consolidate control over Canadian communications rather than compete March 6, 2013 – The CRTC has called a public hearing in response to Bell—Canada’s largest telecom and media conglomerate—once again attempting to take over Astral Media. The CRTC denied Bell’s
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Bell’s second power grab is here.
You helped stop the Bell-Astral takeover last year that would have given Bell a monopolistic share of the media market and harmed citzen choice. Now, Bell is making a second power grab at Astral Media. The media giant hopes for “abbreviated hearings” (i.e., less citizen input) this time around. Speak
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Bell makes second attempt at Astral Media takeover
Big telecom company Bell is once again trying to take over Astral Media and gain more control over Canada’s media system. This comes only one month after the CRTC listened to Canadians decrying the deal and shot down the merger, saying that this conc…
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: The Globe and Mail: Bell submits new takeover bid
Bell is attempting to repackage its $3.38-billion takeover of Astral Media to decision-makers at the CRTC. This Big Telecom power-grab would lead to higher vertical integration, less market choi…
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Bell Tries to Spin Canadians as it Reattempts Takeover of Astral
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Big Telecom Tries to Flip Last Month’s Public Interest Decision From the CRTC
November 19, 2012 – Big telecom company Bell is once again trying to take over Astral…