NL Short Takes

Donations to Ernie Eves’ leadership campaignElections Ontario has released the list of contributors who gave more than $100 to the candidates in the leadership campaign of the provincial Progressive Conservative Party. Here are some of the noteworthy donors to the winner, Ernie Eves. Alcatel cuts Canadian workforce by 400 jobs, Ottawa hit hardestEquipment manufacturer Alcatel is eliminating 400 positions in its Canadian operations. Most of the cuts, which represent 12% of the overall workforce, will be centred in the Ottawa district. Alcatel bought out Newbridge Networks two years ago. PCNet seeks creditor protection for subsidiariesVictoria ISP PCNet International Inc. has applied for protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act for two of its subsidiaries. PCN Ventures Inc. and Pacific Coast Net Inc. will be under the initial protection for one month. Nortel closes American operation after two yearsNortel Networks Corp. is shutting CoreTek, an optical components maker in Boston, throwing 160 people out of work. The equipment manufacturer has also sold its optical component division to Bookham Technology of the UK for US$108 million. Trillium Photonics latest casualty in Ottawa high-tech marketOttawa’s Trillium Photonics Inc. has closed its doors and dismissed 42 workers. CEO Brian Jervis, appointed to his job slightly more than a year ago (NL, July 30/01), said the company, which was spun out from the National Research Council, will return what venture capital is left to its investors. Global Light creditor protection extended until DecemberVancouver’s Global Light Telecommunications Inc. has had its protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act extended until December 20. The firm originally applied for coverage in June (NL, July 3/02). Digital divide diminishing, StatsCan survey saysThe gap in the rate of Internet use between higher-income and lower-income families is shrinking slowly, a new Statistics Canada report says. Despite that finding, the survey notes that 77% of households with the highest 10% of income use the Internet, while only 15% of the lowest 10% of income had Internet access. 360networks restructuring plan approved in United StatesThe U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York has confirmed 360networks’ plan of reorganization, which was approved by all of the company’s senior lenders and 94% of the unsecured creditors. With Canadian approval of the restructuring in place, the fibre firm expects to emerge from bankruptcy by the end of the month. Group Telecom third quarter results delayed yet againGT Group Telecom Inc. announced it is delaying the release of its third quarter results, originally due on September 30. The CLEC provided no new date, but noted that if no financial details are issued by the end of October a cease trade order affecting all of its securities could be issued. Northwestel introduces voice mail service to IqaluitNorthern ILEC Northwestel is offering voice mail service to subscribers in Iqaluit. The company has also upgraded telephone exchanges in Fort McPherson and Holman NWT as part of a $67-million service improvement plan. Télébec updates web site, offers interactivity for customersRegional ILEC Télébec has transformed its web site, providing subscribers with more interactive options. Customers can now check their account balances, modify their accounts or buy things online. Primus Canada wins LD and data contracts in LondonThe University of Western Ontario has awarded its LD service to Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc. The reseller has also secured a data transmission contract from the London And Regional Global Network (LARG*net), a non-profit group providing connectivity in the Ontario city. TeraSpan Networks rolls out last mile technology in EuropeVancouver’s TeraSpan Networks has deployed its surface-inlaid fibre technology linking key sites in Britain. The company has also rolled out two last mile networks in Canada, for a Vancouver-based crown corporation and for a telecom firm in Toronto. Calgary new home of Q9 Internet data centreToronto-based Internet host Q9 Networks Inc. has opened an Internet data centre in Calgary. It marks the company’s move into western Canada after opening a similar facility in Toronto. VoiceIQ wins digital voice contracts internationallyVoiceIQ Inc. of Montreal has been awarded a $500,000 contract with Unisys Canada and a $125,000 contract with the South Australian Legislature. The voice digital audio recording company has also secured deals with courts in Arkansas and in Europe. New data transfer record set from BC to EuropeVancouver’s TRIUMF, working with CANARIE Inc. and Atlas Canada, has set a new record for data transference. It sent a terabyte of research data to CERN in Geneva, Switzerland in under a minute. Ontario school board offering high school courses onlineThe Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board in eastern Ontario has introduced a $100,000 online learning project. The Canadian Lakeshore Virtual Campus, which makes high school courses available through the Internet, was launched with a celebratory cake and letter of commendation from the Vatican. Mitel signs IP agreement with University of OttawaMitel Networks is providing IP equipment to the University of Ottawa. The company is selling a 3300 Intergrated Communications Platform along with more than 200 5140 IP Appliances for use by faculty and students in one IP network. 911operator sent for retraining after hanging up on callerA 911 operator in Calgary is being sent for counselling after hanging up on a woman who reported a possible sexual assault, advising the woman to call the regular police line. Police Inspector Brendan Kapuscinski says the tape of the call will be used to train other operators on how not to handle incoming emergencies.

NL Short Takes

News | 10/08/2002 4:00 am EDT

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