NL Short Takes

Call-Net revenues stable, local lines jump in Q3Call-Net Enterprises Inc. reported revenues of $198.6 million for the third quarter of 2002, up marginally from the $197.9 million of Q2, but down from 2001’s $223 million. The CLEC announced it has added its 150,000th local service line. Primus buys Windsor ISP, reports record EBITDAPrimus Telecommunications Canada Inc. has bought Wincom, an ISP based in Windsor ON, adding 5,000 business and residential customers to its base. Primus has also released its Q3 results, with a record $17 million EBITDA and raising its full-year EBITDA guidance from $63 million to a range of $65-67 million. Ted Rogers hints he wants back into telephonyRogers Communications Inc. CEO Ted Rogers told a telecom conference in New York, "I happen to believe that the cable companies…have to get into telephony." Rogers made similar statements two years ago, only to back away a few months later (NL, Nov. 6/01). Axia signs deals with AGTL Networks for SuperNet fibreAxia SuperNet Ltd. has inked two agreements with AGTL Networks Inc. to provide fibre installation services to two segments of the Alberta SuperNet. Fibre will be run to 18 communities in segments four and five of the 74-segment network. (For more on SuperNet, see story in this issue.) NWTel extends Internet service to Whitehorse subdivisionsNorthwestel has rolled out its high-speed Internet service to residents of the MacPherson subdivision in Whitehorse YT. A week later, the northern ILEC extended its grid into the Judas Creek area, just south of Whitehorse. Total Telcom reports slight profit for FY2002Edmonton’s Total Telcom Inc. said it recorded net income of $94,000 in its 2002 fiscal year, as opposed to a $3 million loss a year earlier. Year to date gross profit was 46% compared to 23% in 2001. Technovision Systems CEO settles with BCSC Gordon Tremain, CEO of Technovision Systems Inc., has settled a case with the B.C. Securities Commission for issuing misleading news releases (NL, Nov. 19/01). He paid the BCSC $30,000, is restricted in his trading for three years and cannot serve as a director or officer of a publicly traded firm for at least three years. Competition Bureau files charges against telemarketersThe Competition Bureau has filed criminal charges against seven companies and eight individuals for telemarketing fraud. The companies, operating in Montreal and Toronto, allegedly invoiced customers for business directories or office supplies they had not ordered. ePHONE Telecom opens Canadian office in TorontoHerndon VA Internet telephony firm ePHONE Telecom Inc. has set up operations in Canada. The company will provide LD service, using a POP in a Toronto carrier hotel and has been granted an International Telecommunications Class A licence from the CRTC. Nortel wins US$65-million contract from Cox Cox Communications Inc. has awarded a three-year supply agreement to Nortel Networks Corp. The deal, covering Ethernet and SONET equipment, is estimated to be worth US$65 million. Linmor reports loss, increased revenue in second quarterOttawa’s Linmor Inc. reported an operating loss of $1.1 million for the second quarter of 2003. The company posted revenues of $717,484, up from the $351,077 of the first quarter. Two governments invest $43 million in photonicsThe federal and Ontario governments are investing $43 million to create the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre in Ottawa. The centre will be located at the National Research Council’s Institute for Microstructural Sciences site in the capital. Telus deploys Voice over IP network from NortelTelus Corp. is migrating its circuit-based LD network traffic to a packet-based system using VoIP equipment from Nortel Networks Corp. Telus has voice gateways in 11 major centres in Canada, permitting voice traffic to be carried on its IP backbone with carrier grade quality. Two Ottawa equipment manufacturers slash jobsTelecom equipment manufacturer SS8 Networks has chopped half of its 80-member workforce in Ottawa as part of a company-wide cutback. Another Ottawa company, Mitel Networks, has eliminated 35 jobs from its 1,200-member staff. Nortel to use bonuses to inspire remaining staffNortel Networks Corp. CEO Frank Dunn is offering a "return to profitability" bonus to employees, following 18 months when no bonuses or raises had been paid. The stipend will be available after the equipment maker reaches one quarter of profitability on a pro-forma basis. Execulink selects SlipStream product for dial-up InternetExeculink Internet Inc. is now using the Web Accelerator by Waterloo ON-based SlipStream Data Inc. to provide dial-up Internet service. Execulink offers telephony service to smaller communities in southwestern Ontario. Winnipeg police post crime video on InternetWinnipeg police have started posting surveillance-camera video on the Internet in the hopes that web surfers will be able to identify criminals. The most frequent images are of robberies of convenience stores, gas bars and cab drivers. IIT signs certification deal with FGT ConsultantsMontreal’s International Institute of Telecommunications has signed an agreement with FGT Consultants for a management training program. The scheme will feature three different training paths, all of which lead to industrial certification. Canadian telcos win awards at Pioneers conferenceAliant Telecom received 24 awards for community work at the International Telecom Pioneers Conference in Baltimore. SaskTel pioneers earned nine prizes for volunteering excellence at the same event. TSN to use polling product from ExponentiaVancouver’s Exponentia has signed a deal with TSN.ca to offer real-time online polling during NHL games on the sports cable network. TSN can create poll questions quickly and have them posted on its web site for viewers to vote on. Son uses Dad’s ID to run up $5,400 sex line billSven Martin of Southbridge MA admitted using his father’s social security number to obtain a phone card from Verizon, which he then used to run up US$5,456 in charges to phone sex numbers. He told state police he is a sex addict as he surrendered on larceny and fraud charges.

NL Short Takes

News | 11/19/2002 5:00 am EST

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