NL Update

CRTC orders review of promotionsIn Telecom Public Notice 2003-1-1, dated March 13, the commission amended its original public notice on winback promotions (NL Update, Jan. 20/03). The prohibition on winback promotions has been expanded to other promotions, including those involving current ILEC customers. Amended submissions may be filed until March 28. Competitors urge rejection of Telus appealAT&T Canada Corp., Call-Net Enterprises Inc. and Rogers Wireless Inc. have filed a joint submission to Cabinet urging it to reject a Telus appeal on contribution and rebanding (NL, Feb. 10/03). The CLECs claim other ILECs would bear the brunt of the burden, followed by the wireless service providers. The competitors worry that a successful Cabinet appeal would harm the CRTC review of Phase II costs scheduled for this year. Group wants blind exempt from DA call completion chargesAdvocates for Sight Impaired Consumers is asking the CRTC to exempt blind customers from paying Telus the Automatic Directory Assistance Call Completion charge. In a Part VII application to the commission, the Richmond BC-based body says the blind do get operator-assisted call completion, but are unable to do so with DA. It notes that SaskTel and Manitoba Telecom Services do not impose the fee. Vidéotron introduces single billingVidéotron ltée will start listing all Internet and cable services on a single bill, effective in April. This will result in customers having a single account number and a single due date. Those who subscribe only to cable are not affected by the move. Storm Internet signs three-year deal with Telecom OttawaStorm Internet has inked a three-year deal with Telecom Ottawa for ultra high-speed backbone network access in the nation’s capital. Storm is connecting several of its networks to the Telecom Ottawa grid. It uses its own wireless network to provide coverage in rural areas. Yukon government wants review of northern telecommunicationsThe Yukon department of business, tourism and culture is asking the CRTC to initiate a review of the telecom regulatory framework in the north. It doesn’t want to see ILEC Northwestel suffer when compared to its southern counterparts, but believes competitors should be able to get into the marketplace. The comments come in response to a Northwestel application to remove joint marketing and bundling restrictions (NL, Feb. 10/03). Reseller YAK offers new service in QuebecYAK Communications (Canada) Inc. has introduced LooneyCall in Quebec. Under the new program, callers in the province can get up to 30 minutes of LD for $1, by using the reseller’s dial-around. The expansion of the service, which began in Ontario last December, is the first step to forming a national system. CGI joins CATAThe Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance has welcomed CGI Group Inc. as a member. CATA works to lobby the government on technology issues as well as helping members cooperate among themselves. CGI will sit on CATA’s task force on the federal Government On-Line program. Cognos and Giuliani form allianceOttawa’s Cognos Inc. has formed a partnership with the Giuliani Group, a management consulting firm headed by former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani. The two will combine their expertise to provide services to public- and private-sector clients. During his term as mayor, Giuliani once appeared in drag while hosting the TV program Saturday Night Live. He is not expected to do this in his role working with Cognos. INTERNATIONAL NEWSEnron executives charged in broadband fraudAmerican authorities have charged two executives of Enron with fraud over an Internet video-on-demand project. The Justice Department alleges that Kevin Howard and Michael Krautz created US$111 million in bogus earnings. If convicted, the pair could face up to 25 years in prison. Viatel buys ISPs in Britain, SwitzerlandBritish cable operator Viatel has taken over two European ISPs – Netcom Internet, a British firm, and Cybernet, which is headquartered in Switzerland. Viatel says the acquisitions fit nicely with future business plans. EarthLink unveils VoIP packageEarthLink has introduced a new Internet phone bundle. The ISP is offering flat-rate local and LD voice service on its DSL and cable modem lines. The service, which includes call waiting, caller ID and call forwarding among other features, will cost an additional US$39.99 per month on top of the monthly broadband subscription, which runs from US$41.95 to US$49.95.

NL Update

News | 03/17/2003 5:00 am EST

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