SATELLITE TV SERVICE APPLIES FOR CRTC LICENCE
By Adnews Staff
If an application for a broadcast licence filed with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission last week is successful, PowerTel TV of Toronto will begin searching for an agency to promote its service, PowerTel's president and CEO Ted Boyle told Adnews yesterday. PowerTel is a Canadian direct-to-home satellite television company that would provide consumers with an alternative to cable TV. Boyle said he's hoping for a quick decision from the CRTC, but added he wasn't sure how long the approval process might take. PowerTel's application covers Metro Toronto and Ontario's Golden Horseshoe region and would provide consumers with 100 channels. Boyle hopes to have the service running within one year of CRTC approval. PowerTel plans to spend a lot on advertising, Boyle said. Boyle said he believes the advent of satellite television in Canada will be good news for the Canadian advertising industry, because it will increase competition in the television market and force both satellite and cable providers to spend on advertising. PowerTel TV is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Simmonds Capital Limited, a Canadian electronic and wireless communications company.