Fasken‘s team is well-equipped to advise on the full spectrum of telecommunications matters; it often supports clients on regulatory matters before the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, as well as the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission. Telecommunication service providers rely on the team’s vast expertise to oversee market access, licensing and registration matters. The group advises a broad array of clients, from broadcasters and digital media suppliers and to resellers and hardware manufacturers. Gerald Kerr-Wilson leads the practice from the Ottawa office, and hones focus lies within communications and public law.
Telecoms in Canada
Fasken
Practice head(s):
Jay Kerr-Wilson
Other key lawyers:
Laurence Dunbar; Gerald Kerr-Wilson; Scott Prescott; Leslie Milton; Barbara Miller
Testimonials
‘They specialize in CRTC regulatory matters. Provide timely response to request and always sound legal advice and direction.’
‘Barbara Miller provides extremely good guidance on regulatory matters. I have a great deal of respect for her advice and knowledge.’
Key clients
SaskTel, Eastlink, TekSavvy, TELUS
Rogers Media
Rogers Communications Canada Inc.
Acadia Broadcasting Limited
Xplornet Communications Inc.
Bragg Communications Incorporated (carrying on business as Eastlink), Cogeco Communications Inc., Rogers Communications Canada Inc., Shaw Cable Systems G.P. and Videotron Ltd
MTA/ Matanuska Telephone Association, Inc. (Alaska)
Myriota Canada and Myriota Pty Ltd (Australia)
Work highlights
McCarthy Tétrault
The team at McCarthy Tétrault advises a broad range of clients including satellite carriers, mobile and fixed wireless networks, e-commerce services, cable operators and telecommunications companies. In addition to advising on the application, regulation and commercialization of emerging technologies, the team is acclaimed for its advice on contentious broadcasting and telecommunications cases. Grant Buchanan heads the Toronto-based practice and focuses particularly on financing, Copyright Board work and regulation. Keith Rose is noted for his assistance to clients on innovative technologies such as 5G, consumer and medical devices and connected vehicle spaces.
Practice head(s):
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Key clients
Bell Canada
Bell Media
TELUS Communications Inc.
Jewelry Television
Loral Space & Communications Inc. (Loral)
Aura Network Systems
Intelepeer Inc.
telMAX LP
Work highlights
- Advised Loral in their definitive agreement with the Public Sector Pension Investment Board and Telesat Canada whereby Loral and Telesat Canada became subsidiaries of Telesat Corporation, a new publicly traded Canadian company.
- Advised Bell Canada as respondent to an appeal by TekSavvy in the Federal Court of Appeal regarding Telecom Decision CRTC 2021-181, a decision by the CRTC to reinstate prior wholesale internet rates following a successful motion by Bell Canada to reconsider the original CRTC decision which would have raised wholesale internet rates.
- Advised Bell Canada as respondent to an appeal by Quebecor from a decision in which the CRTC issued a mandatory order against TVA Group Inc..
Dentons
The practice at Dentons focuses on emerging telecommunications matters including earth observation satellite systems, online streaming services, connected and interconnected wireless devices and user generated content platforms. Its multidisciplinary and integrated approach enables clients to receive end-to-end advice on entering the Canadian market. The practice is led by Ottawa-based Monica Song whose practice focus lies primarily in administrative and public policy work, with clients often relying on her expertise to assist digital growth. Gregory Kane is another key contact.
Practice head(s):
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Key clients
Banger Films
Ligado Networks LLC
Lionsgate Films
Shopify Inc. – Shopify Studios
Sinking Ship Entertainment
Spire Global
Work highlights
- Advised Investissment Quebec in its $600m investment into Telesat Canada’s proposed $6.5bn Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation, that will be used to provide universal broadband connectivity across the globe.
- Advised Spire Global Inc. on its $161.2m acquisition of exactEarth Ltd., a leading provider of automatic identification system data for the global maritime vessel and ship tracking and maritime situational awareness solutions.
Goodmans LLP
Goodmans LLP‘s team is best-known for its handling of Canadian broadcasting, telecommunications and internet regulation advice. Consequently, the Toronto based practice is relied on by many clients for representation before the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Michael Koch has a breadth of knowledge in regulatory framework matters, while Monique McAlister focuses on communication and consumer protection work; the pair jointly lead the practice.
Practice head(s):
Key clients
BCE Inc./Bell Media Inc.
Major League Baseball Collective of Canada, Inc.
The Walt Disney Company
Warner Bros. Discovery (formerly WarnerMedia)
Rainbow Media/AMC
Intelsat
Rogers Communications
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago
Gogo Internet
Work highlights
- Advised Rogers Communications Inc. in connection to its agreement with Shaw Communications Inc. to acquire all of Shaw’s issued and outstanding Class A Shares and Class B Shares in a transaction valued at approximately $26bn.
- Advised multiple clients on proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Act that would result in foreign online undertakings being regulated as part of the Canadian broadcasting system.
- Advised major car manufacturers on the telecommunications and data protection implications of connected cars.
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Clients across a range of industries entrust the team at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP with complex telecommunications matters. Industry expertise includes technology, financial services, communications, automotive and retail, with the group also counting its in-depth knowledge of regulatory issues as a key differentiator. Sunny Handa
heads the team from Montreal and has over 25 years’ worth of telecommunications and broadcasting experience.
Practice head(s):
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Key clients
Affinity Network, Inc.,
Aryaka Networks
Bell Canada
Cisco Systems Canada Co
Equinix Inc.
GHGSat Inc.
Global Voice & Data, Inc.
Inmarsat PLC
Pelion IoT (formerly ARM Limited)
SES S.A.
Work highlights
- Advised SES in connection with its Canadian operations and strategic approach in addressing the upcoming reallocation and clearing of C-band spectrum to support the deployment of 5G services in Canada.
- Advised GHGSat, a Montreal-based satellite company that monitors high-resolution greenhouse gas, in its $45m Series B funding round.
- Advised Inmarsat, a global player in the satellite communications space, in connection with its compliance with the Canadian telecommunications and radiocommunication regulatory regimes.
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Stikeman Elliott LLP‘s broad telecommunications practice often supports its M&A group with regulatory advice. Particular telecommunications knowledge includes the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules; clients often seek advice on matters concerning the National Do Not Call List and automated dialler restrictions. Ottawa-based David Elder heads the practice and is well-regarded for his involvement in the development of Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation.
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Key clients