Rogers 2013 Annual Report Download - page 39

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
WIRELESS
• Canada’s first and fastest wireless LTE 4G broadband network
continued its expansion. Our network covered approximately 73%of
the Canadian population at December 31, 2013, while continuing to
offer the largest selection of LTE devices of any carrier in Canada. We
were also the first carrier in North America and one of the first in the
world to offer international LTE roaming to wireless customers.
• Our wireless offerings and pricing tiers were simplified, reducing
complexity and service times for our sales and support teams and
adding customer value. These innovations include Canada’s first
complete wireless Share Everything plan which allows individuals,
families and small businesses to share wireless data, unlimited
nationwide talk and text and calling features across 1 to 10 wireless
devices.
• Our “worry free” $7.99 per day US wireless data roaming plan was
launched, with twice the daily data capacity (50 MB) typically used
daily by consumers for wireless Internet, as well as enhanced voice,
text and data roaming value packages.
• A hybrid wireless home and small business phone solution was
launched, that operates on our national wireless network. The service
is available in regions outside Rogers’ cable territories and offers a
traditional home or office phone service and features without the
need for a landline or Internet connection.
• The M2M World Alliance, an organization comprised of eight leading
international mobile operators including Rogers, demonstrated a
single global SIM card which makes it easier to deploy connected
devices in multiple countries and expected to drive further growth for
our machine-to-machine business.
CABLE
• Acquisition of Mountain Cable, Shaw Communications’ (Shaw) cable
system in Hamilton, Ontario was completed.
• Next generation TV experience was unveiled with NextBox 3.0 giving
viewers access to record up to eight HD programs at one time and
store up to 240 hours of HD content. The NextBox 3.0 experience
includes Whole Home PVR capability and becomes a wireless TV
experience allowing viewers to navigate their cable guide, use a
virtual remote, set PVR recordings and live stream channels all from a
tablet or smartphone while at home or away.
• Rogers was named both the fastest broadband Internet service
provider and the fastest wireless network in Canada in October 2013
by PCMag.com, a leading US based technology website.
• SamKnows, an independent broadband performance company,
stated through in-home testing in May 2013 that we delivered, on
average, 100%or more of our advertised download speeds on our
most popular Internet packages, better than most providers in the US
and Europe that were tested.
• MLB Network, a 24-hour network dedicated exclusively to baseball
was launched on Rogers digital television, marking the first time this
network is available in Canada. MLB Network’s year-round
programming features live games, news, highlights, and the game’s
top analysts.
• Our TV experience was significantly enriched with the launch of our
Recommendations App for NextBox, giving customers access to
personalized live, rental, on-demand and previously recorded
program recommendations displayed on their TV screens. A
Canadian cable industry first, the application recommends similar
programs based on what customers are viewing, helping Canadians
to explore and uncover more programming that appeals to their
individual tastes.
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
• Following the acquisition of Blackiron and Pivot Data Centres this
year, Business Solutions announced it is expanding its hosting and
colocation business in Western Canada through a newly expanded
data centre in Edmonton and a new Western Canada flagship data
centre in Calgary.
• SIP Trunking, a new IP-based voice solution, was announced for
enterprises designed to complement our fibre-based Internet and
WAN connectivity services. Merging voice services with a business
data network, SIP Trunking solutions dynamically allocate bandwidth
as needed to support voice and/or data needs depending upon
capacity requirements during peak hours and also provide a platform
for next generation IP-based video, mobile and productivity
applications and services.
MEDIA
• Exclusive NHL 12-year licensing agreement to broadcast national NHL
games beginning with the 2014-2015 season was signed. The
agreement grants Rogers the exclusive distribution of all national live
and in-progress regular season and playoff games within Canada, in
multiple languages, across all platforms. We executed separate
agreements to sublicense certain of these broadcasting rights to TVA
Sports and CBC.
• Sportsnet 360 was launched, which is comprised of the rebranded
theScore assets. The acquisition of theScore received final regulatory
approval in the first half of this year.
• Sportsnet announced a 10-year partnership extension with the
Vancouver Canucks through the 2022-2023 NHL seasons, continuing
a 14-year network tradition as the regional television broadcaster of
Canucks hockey. The new agreement features a comprehensive suite
of multimedia rights including television, online and mobile,
delivering up to 60 regular season Vancouver Canucks games each
season. Sportsnet is also the official regional television broadcast
rights holder for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames and
Edmonton Oilers.
• Next Issue Canada, an innovative, all-you-can-read subscription
digital magazine service that provides consumers with exclusive and
unlimited access to a catalogue of more than 100 premium Canadian
and US titles was launched. Next Issue Canada delivers access to our
leading publishing brands alongside many of the most popular US
magazine titles.
• The Shopping Channel launched a brighter, easier, and more
engaging multi-channel retail experience and a refreshed on-air and
online look, an all-new mobile app, special-themed programming
and improved shipping. The leading interactive and only national
Canadian multi-channel retailer also added on-air social media
engagement, new leading brands and more celebrity guest
appearances.
• Sportsnet announced an eight-year multi-platform broadcast rights
extension with MLB Properties and MLB Advanced Media to show
live and in-progress regular season and playoff baseball games and
highlights within Canada.
2013 ANNUAL REPORT ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. 35