Madeleine Redfern, Nunavut’s Internet visionary, says we can’t wait any longer to fibre the far north

Join Contributing Editor, Bill Roberts, as together they review Vicky Eatrides’ top three “must do” priorities, plus the inherited challenges of bargaining process delay in telecom matters, Mobile Virtual Network Operator policy implementation (cellphone competition), her keen push for greater consumer-friendly internet rivalry, improvements to the CRTC Broadband Fund, the particular needs of Northern Canada, the Commission’s role with the Online News and Online Steaming Acts, anti-scam compliance & enforcement, the Chairperson’s thoughtful prognosis for overall regulatory work in the coming year, and - importantly - what Eatrides personally hopes defines her record and success at the end of this 5-year term.

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So you think High Definition Television (HDTV) was a big deal?

Well buckle your seat belts.

First there was TV itself, then colour TV, then our HDTV… but now there’s “NextGen TV" -- the next major shift in television with a new digital format promising 4K video, immersive audio, and a host of other consumer and business benefits.

The Advanced Television Systems Committee calls this revolution ATSC 3.0 and it’s quite literally the seamless over-the-air convergence of TV and the internet. 

Listen now to Orest Sushko, the brainiac director of the only North American lab for this revolution at the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Toronto. Sushko’s B2C Lab is having an Open House with live demonstrations and key experts on May 11th and 12th, so listen to hear how you can register and attend for free.

But here’s a catch…

While roughly 75 per cent of American television viewers will have access to “NextGen TV” (ATSC 3.0) by the end of this year -- and countries as varied as Brazil, India, South Korea, Trinidad & Tobago, and Mexico are adopting this new format -- Canada, which may technically be in the thick of it on the innovation aspect, is still a laggard on the practical implementation side.

Take a listen to find out why and more about the next generation of TV. 

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With nearly 3 decades of communications policy and regulatory experience under his belt, Ian Scott has quite a bit to say as he leaves his CRTC leadership post. Listen in as Scott asserts his “vision” for the Commission and what it truly means to serve the public interest.

After completing his CRTC 5-year term on January 4th (2023), Scott doesn’t hold back on accomplishments such as narrowing the digital divide, consensus building, and the biggest challenges faced on the Canadian broadcasting and tele-communications fronts since 2017.

Ian Scott, never a media-hound, is blunt and frank when addressing criticisms of his tenure… ever gracious… it is also a no-holds-barred conversation… including a few personal insights touching on the Zen of woodworking.

Sticking to his guns on evidence-based decision-making, and unpacking controversies surrounding hot-buttons like the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) deliberations, bias favouring the Big Three telecom players (Bell, Rogers and Telus), the reasoning behind infrastructure-based outcomes, and tippling with Bell’s CEO, Mirko Bibic… one gets the strong impression that Ian Scott will be heard from again in due course… every exit being an entry somewhere else.

Scott also has plenty to say about both Bill C-11 (Online Streaming Act) and Bill C-18 (Online News Act); about the stress inherent in Chairing the Commission; and, about why he prefers not to look at his CRTC tenure as leaving a personal legacy. This is a conversation deeply respectful of his colleagues and staff at the CRTC; and one softly lamenting the public’s lack of awareness regarding the importance of the CRTC’s 500 annual decisions and orders impacting the lives of all Canadians. In closing remarks, Ian Scott leaves an “imaginary letter” to the next Chairperson & CEO of the CRTC, Vicky Eastrides…

Grab a coffee and settle in…

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