SkyChoice Communications
SkyChoice Communications is a Canadian residential, business, and wholesale telecommunications service provider headquartered in Oakville, Ontario offering a wide range of high-speed Internet services in most Canadian provinces using Cable Internet, DSL and Fiber-optic communication last mile networks. It also operates its own Wireless broadband network in parts of southern Ontario (branded as "WIFI.BE"). SkyChoice also offers IPTV (Internet Protocol television), VoIP digital phone and Mobile phone services.
History
SkyChoice was founded in 2012 with the aim of Providing affordable and high-Quality telecommunications services to communities across Canada. They started offering high speed Internet service by deploying their own wireless broadband network using a network of fiber fed towers in both urban and rural areas. Subsequently, coverage was expanded by offering service using DSL, Cable Internet and Fibre access technologies in areas outside the coverage area of its towers. Available services for a specific address including line of sight for its WIFI.BE fixed wireless network can be qualified on their website.
In April 2018, SkyChoice developed and launched an IPTV digital television service in collaboration with ATOP Broadband Corp. on the Roku platform which operates on any device which supports dual-band WiFi or wired connectivity, including Roku TV's. They also designed a whole home Digital video recorder system which allows subscribers to make recordings from any television in the household to record and watch each other's recordings using a single device.
Trademark challenge
On June 14, 2022, SkyChoice successfully challenged Bell Canada over their rights to use WIFI.BE as a brand for its Wireless broadband Internet service . After lengthy negotiations, both telecommunications service providers reached an agreement for use of the brand. The possibility of confusion was eliminated by adding a period between WIFI and BE and making the brand name the same as its wifi.be website where the services are also being marketed under.
Advocacy
SkyChoice is a fierce advocate for affordable Internet. As one of the few remaining independent telecommunications service providers, it is actively dedicated in providing an alternative to the large incumbent providers for affordable value added services. They are an active participant in various regulatory undertakings with the CRTC such as their Review of the wholesale high-speed access service framework in order to mandate affordable access to incumbent high speed networks for independent Internet providers. SkyChoice is also making efforts to eliminate unfair practices by the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services as they are accepting complaints already being or have been handled by other agencies capable of making binding decisions on consumer complaints. According to SkyChoice, this is not only unethical but is also unfair as at the end of the day, consumers end up losing as Telecom service providers eventually have to increase prices to recover the fees that were charged. . These efforts have resulted in the CRTC launching Telecom Notice of Consultation 2026-31 in order to review the fee structure and fee dispute mechanism at the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services Inc. SkyChoice Communications is also a member of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada (CNOC)
Services
SkyChoice offers a variety of telecommunications services, including:
Internet
Internet services are offered Either by SkyChoice's own Fixed wireless network along with FTTH in select areas. Service is also offered in most Canadian provinces using either DSL last mile networks from Bell Canada and TELUS or cable last mile networks from Rogers, Cogeco, Shaw, Videotron and Eastlink.
Phone
SkyChoice offers VoIP digital phone service for both residential and business customers, including competitive long-distance rates and additional features like voicemail, call waiting, and caller ID.
Mobile phone
SkyChoice offers mobile phone service using existing incumbent provider towers which can be used in most areas of Canada where cellular coverage is available.
Television
SkyChoice offers digital TV services with a range of channels, including HD programming and on-demand options on the Roku platform. Its TV packages are customizable to meet the needs of different households with pick and pay options. A whole home PVR service is also available, which allows for all televisions in the household to record and watch each other's recordings.
References
:Category:Internet service providers of Canada :Category:Telecommunications companies established in 2012:Category:Mass media companies established in 2012:Category:Companies based in Ontario:Category:Privately held companies of Canada:Category:IPTV companies of Canada