NL Short Takes

Decima Reader Online Poll, October/November 2002Twenty-nine per cent of Decima Publishing readers responding to an informal online poll indicated that they felt any skills shortage in the communications sector had been mitigated by heavy layoffs. A key theme from the Speech from the Throne, delivered on September 30, was on the need to attract skilled workers. Decima Publishing subscribers were asked in October/November 2002 whether they believed that: there is no shortage; the skills shortage has been mitigated by heavy layoffs in the communications sector; Canada must immediately invest more heavily in education to train Canadians for skilled jobs in the communications sector; or a poor investment climate, and not a lack of training, is responsible for the skills shortage? Nortel Networks amends security arrangementsNortel Networks Corp. has made changes to its security agreements to give it financial flexibility in the future. Under the new terms, the equipment manufacturer will terminate US$1.175 billion in credit facilities but has no intention to draw on the US$750-million facility that matures in April 2005. The company also signed a deal with Bell West for optical Ethernet products to help build Alberta’s SuperNet. It will become the exclusive supplier for the regional backbone of the broadband network. Teleglobe signs interim management deal with TLGBTeleglobe Inc. has signed an interim management agreement with TLGB Acquisition LLC, which began day-to-day responsibility for running the company. TLGB is an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management LP and TenX Capital Partners LLC, which bought Teleglobe’s voice and data division (NL, Sept. 23/02). Vidéotron provides hearing impaired free telephone accessVidéotron ltée is now offering free direct telephone access for its customers who are hearing impaired, available six days a week from early morning until mid-evening. Previously, these clients had to use Bell Canada’s relay service. CATA wants government to move on broadband rolloutThe CATA Alliance is urging the federal government to move quickly on enacting its innovation regime. "We need to make high connection speeds available to all Canadians, especially those outside urban centres and in rural and remote areas," Barry Gander, senior advocate for public policy, said. Canadian telemarketers spend US$1M to settle American caseVancouver telemarketers Canada Prepaid Legal Services and BSI Premium Bonds have agreed to reimburse American consumers US$1 million to settle charges levied by the Federal Trade Commission. By settling the case, the telemarketers do not have to admit to breaking any laws, although the FTC claims they placed unauthorized charges on credit cards and sent consumers fake lottery bonds. Committee wants Bell to change 911 systemThe 911 committee in Belleville ON wants Bell Canada to change the way it lists mailing addresses on 911 calls. Amalgamation in the area means that several jurisdictions may have similar street names (NL, Apr. 23/01), confusing emergency crews. Growth of Internet slows in Canada, new study findsInternet use in Canada has barely grown over the past two years, a new report states. The Ipsos-Reid study found that 62% of Canadians logged on at least once in the previous month in 2001, up marginally from the 60% registered in 2000. Students in Canada and Hong Kong link through broadbandFour schools in Canada, located in New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta, linked with three schools in Hong Kong using Virtual Classroom. The broadband initiative is a project involving Telesat Canada, CANARIE Inc., and the Communications Research Centre. Northern ISP forced to beef up security after glitchSakku Arctic Technologies of Rankin Inlet NU spent $1,000 upgrading its security after its email system was hacked. A confidential email from the Kivalliq Inuit Association was inadvertently sent to all subscribers of arctic.ca, a breach currently being investigated by the RCMP. Online elementary school launched in OntarioOntario’s first private online elementary school is offering students lessons from JK to Grade 8. Linkonlearning Inc. provides 10,000 lessons, spread over nine courses and three levels. The courses are aligned with provincial standards and written by certified teachers. Canada Payphone inks deal with Palais des CongrèsBurnaby BC-based Canada Payphone Corp. has signed a five-year public access agreement with La Société du Palais des Congrès de Montréal. The firm hopes to earn more than $500,000 in revenues over the course of the deal. Cybersurf reports revenue jump in first quarterCalgary’s Cybersurf Corp. reported its revenues in Q1 2003 were $1.68 million, a 52% increase over 2002. It reported working capital of $7.5 million at the end of September. Revenues for its 3web Corp. ISP subsidiary rose by 71% over the course of the year. Phonetime reports revenue increase on record sales in Q3Phonetime Inc. of Mississauga ON reported record sales of $8.9 million in Q3 2002, its seventh consecutive quarter of growth. That represents a 71% jump from the $5.2 million recorded in 2001. P.E.I. customers lose LD and 911 after cable glitchPeople in western Prince Edward Island lost LD and 911 service for several hours Dec. 9 when a fibre optic cable malfunctioned. Aliant Telecom is investigating why subscribers from Tyne Valley to Tignish were affected. N.B. call centres worried about U.S. don’t call rulesThe proliferation of don’t call laws in several American states is having an effect on call centres in New Brunswick. The companies are worried that the rules, invoked in nearly half the states, will lead to reduced business and job losses. Nominations sought for CANARIE awardsCANARIE Inc. is seeking nominations for its IWAY awards by January 31. Candidates are sought for prizes in new technology development, application of technology, community service, adaptive technologies, and public leadership. The prizes will be handed out in Toronto in April. Telephone importer gives wrong numbersBowie International Ltd. and its only director David Lebo have been fined a total of $400,000 for filing false invoices for imported phones. The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency says the Toronto firm undervalued the phones, thus evading $702,000 in taxes and duties.

NL Short Takes

News | December 16, 2002

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