Dot-ca privacy plan a Canadian compromise by Michael Geist, Toronto Star (Nov 22) [registration required] - Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), the agency that manages Canada's dot-ca domain, is re-evaluating its policy on openness of information about domain-name registration. "... a typical whois entry included the domain name itself, the name of the registrant, and comprehensive contact information including postal address, phone and fax numbers, as well as e-mail addresses." CIRA is proposing to continue to collect all information but not reveal it publicly unless the registrant gives permission.
Ottawa's copyright plans wrongheaded, experts say Web users would have to pay levy on free material if changes become law, JACK KAPICA Globe and Mail Update (Nov 11)
"Last week, the standing committee on Canadian Heritage resubmitted its recommendations for updating the Copyright Act of 1998 and ratifying the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty. Copyright lawyers say that if the changes are made into law, you will not even be able to own your own wedding pictures or save a Web page without paying for it."
Protect students' free access to Web, groups say By CAROLINE ALPHONSO EDUCATION REPORTER, Globe and Mail (Sept 23) - National education groups are fighting a proposal by House of Commons standing committee on Canadian heritage to require payment from teachers for use of material on the Internet that is now free.
Could it be true that the committee is that daft? And if true, does that mean the committee is looking to make everyone pay for what they find on the internet? If creators want payment they should use a for-fee subscription system.
Jack Kapica commented on the new portal sites for Rogers and Sympatico users in What's behind Roghoo and Sympasoft? Globe and Mail (Aug 25) He has several reasons to grumble. For example, both have become more American in content through Sympatico's partnership with MSN, and Rogers with Yahoo. Both are less than fully honest with their customers about services and intentions. Sympatico is IE-centric - thanks to the MSN partnership.
There has veen at least one response. Gary Anderson of Bell Canada answered with Here's what's behind Sympasoft... (Sept 8) in which he claimed Sympatico has a "wealth" of Canadian sources and listed the Globe and Mail. Where exactly is that? Not on the content listing I see.
Kapica is right to talk about "missteps, crossed wires and poor PR".
Canadian advantages slipping by Jack Kapica. Globe and Mail (April 28) - Canada's advantage in communication technologies is shrinking according to a study by the Conference Board of Canada. Sweden shares the second-most connected country with Canada.
Broadband price war? by Jack Kapica. Globe and Mail (April 22) AOL Canada will be selling broadband access through the Best Buy / Future Shop chain. Services include high-speed with wireless (Wi-Fi), home networking and AOL Max Internet software and will be sold at a substantial discount to the Sympatico prices.
Kapica also mentions the problem Jim Elve, of Waterford, Ont., is having with the Government of Canada. He runs Blogs Canada, a web directory of Canadian weblogs. The problem is that the page design is a knock-off of the Federal Government's and it is claiming copyright violation.
Sympatico enhances Internet services Globe and Mail Update (April 2) Improved speeds and lower costs for both Sympatico High Speed and Bell Business Internet.
BCE, Rogers gird for Internet battle By KEITH DAMSELL Globe and Mail (March 16) Rogers and Sympatico are relaunching their websites. Rogers will be using Yahoo to deliver more to its subscribers. Sympatico and Microsoft will introduce a new portal in June and close the MSN.ca and Sympatico.ca. "Bell will provide the content while the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant will offer users a long list of tools and applications, including its pending new search engine. The offering will incorporate the Sympatico Music Store, a downloadable music service that will offer users access to more than 250,000 songs on-line."
But, article suggests that people mainly want speed - and Rogers is doing a better job of being truly high speed at 5 MB/second than Bell at 3 MB.
Finally - Sympatico jumps on home-network bandwagon By JACK KAPICA Globe and Mail Update (March 3)
"Sympatico, Bell Canada's Internet service provider, announced a new Wireless Home Networking package, involving high-speed access for multiple computers and IP-enabled devices, such as Xbox and Play Station 2 gaming consoles."
Rogers plans phone service on cable by 2005 By TERRY WEBER. Globe and Mail Update (Feb 13) -- "Rogers Communications Inc. said Thursday it plans to offer residential and business phone service over its cable network by 2005, making it the latest cable player looking to muscle its way into the telecom market."
How about some service? by Jack Kapica, Globe and Mail (Jan 22) Sympatico and Cogeco say they are delivering more service for no increase in cost, but Jack Kapica shows that there are a lot of holes in their claims. Sympatico is leaving at least 25% of its highspeed customers paying full price for less than a 1/3 of the promised speed. Very shocking story.
Yahoo! Teams Up With Rogers Cable AP via Newsday (Jan 21) "Yahoo! Inc. is teaming up with Rogers Cable to sell high-speed Internet access in Canada, marking the Web portal's latest attempt to add more subscribers. "
Bell to boost DSL speed by Ian Johnson. Globe and Mail (Dec 16) Bell Canada will increase the high-speed DSL service to residential subscribers to 3 Mbps with no additional cost. The high-end service will increase from 3 Mbps to 4 Mbps. Most (75% of subscribers) will see the improvement in the first quarter of 2004. The competition between cable and DSL may not reduce costs but should improve services.
"Rather than lower Internet access fees in the coming months, he [Mr Surtees of IDC Canada] said consumers can expect more value-added services from their Internet service providers (ISPs), along with bundles for things like Internet access and cable or satellite television feeds."
Rogers doubles Internet speed Robert Thompson Financial Post (Dec 10) Rogers will be offering three mega bits per second on its residential service for $44.95 / month. This is twice what it had before, and twice what Bell Sympatico offers at the same price (though Bell does have 3 Mbps for $69.95). Rogers has 755,000 high speed customers, and Bell has 1.4 million.
Spam slams Sympatico by Jack Kapica. Globe and Mail (Oct 17) The viruses in August, SoBig and Swen, seem to have infected many Sympatico user machines resulting in a huge increase in email sent. Sympatico is adding more spam protection on its servers and increasing the number of servers. Users are being advised to get and use anti-virus software.
Feds to pay to extend high-speed Net by Simon Tuck. Globe and Mail (Oct 3)
"The Canadian federal government is poised to announce that it will spend almost $200-million to expand high-speed Internet services to the Far North and other under-serviced regions, part of Ottawa's attempt to provide remote communities with the same electronic services as most other parts of the country."
Canadians connect at high speed Rank third highest in Internet linkage by Dave Ebner. Globe and Mail Technology (Sep 17)
"Canada had 11.2 high-speed Internet connections for every 100 residents in 2002, the Geneva-based ITU said in a report issued yesterday. The country ranks third behind South Korea, which had 21.3 connections for every 100 people, and Hong Kong, which had 14.9 connections for every 100".
AOL Canada aims to broaden service Globe and Mail (July 21)
AOL Canada began offering broadband access in British Columbia and Alberta through Telus late last year. Perhaps by the end of the summer they may be able to do the same in Ontario and Quebec. Article says "Broadband or high-speed access, meanwhile, continues to grow but remains highly competitive. Margins are slender or non-existent, and the market is virtually controlled by a who's who of cable and telecommunications giants, including BCE Inc., Telus Corp., Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc. "