NL Short Takes

AT&T Canada emerges from CCAA protectionAT&T Canada Inc. has emerged from the protection of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (NL Update, Mar. 31/03). The company’s Class A voting and Class B limited voting shares are trading on the TSE and NASDAQ markets. Telus sues TWU over union newspaper articlesTelus Corp. has filed a lawsuit in the B.C. Supreme Court, alleging that the Telecommunications Workers Union damaged the firm’s reputation and business through articles that appeared in union publications. The TWU is preparing a statement of defence and considering a counterclaim, even as contract negotiations continue. ACD Systems International buys Linmor shares for $2.1 millionACD Systems International Inc. of Victoria is purchasing all the issued and outstanding shares of Linmor Inc.’s Canadian subsidiary. The Ottawa-based company will continue to develop its product line and will still trade on stock markets under the Linmor name. 360networks purchases Dynegy communications business360networks Corp. is buying the broadband network of Houston TX utility Dynegy Inc. The network is made up of 16,000 route miles with 65 wholesale customers and access points in 44 American cities. Bell Canada International reduces stake in AxtelBell Canada International Inc. is taking part in a restructuring involving Axtel S.A. de C.V. Under the deal, BCI will receive US$2.7 million in cash, two non-interest bearing notes for US$3.5 million and US$9.4 million, and will reduce its ownership in Axtel to 1.5%. Telus faces delays in rolling out telephony service in CalgaryWould-be telephone subscribers in Calgary are experiencing delays in the provision of service, sometimes up to three months’ wait. Telus Communications Inc. says the rapid growth rate in Alberta is the culprit; a developers’ group blames cutbacks at the telco. Northwestel establishes Call Wakeup serviceLooking to offer more services to its clientele in the land of the midnight sun, Northwestel has unveiled a Call Wakeup service. For a $3.50 fee, subscribers can program their phones to ring at a specific time within a 24-hour period. AT&T Canada expands telecom services for Quebec airlineAT&T Canada Inc. has signed a three-year contract with Transat AT Inc. The deal, which is worth $6 million, will see the CLEC provide the Montreal-based airline with local, LD, data and toll-free services across Canada, in the United States and in France. Canada Payphone renews contract at Vancouver PortCanada Payphone Corp. has signed a five-year contract to provide payphones, Internet access, calling cards and money transfers at the Vancouver Port crew lounge. The company managed a similar program last year for the Port of Vancouver. Ecomm still small part of Canadian business: StatsCan Statistics Canada reports that online transactions in the public and private sector increased to $13.7 billion in 2002. That still only represents 0.6% of private-sector operating revenue. Delphi Solutions purchases American telecom vendorDelphi Solutions Corp. of Toronto has purchased the Vermont holdings of Northstar Connections LLC of Cumberland ME. Delphi already has a presence in Vermont, with an office in St. Johnsbury, in addition to its 11 offices in Canada. Eight Ontario universities get high-tech research cashCommunications and Information Technology Ontario is providing $5.3 million and other industry partners are contributing $3.7 million to eight Ontario universities. Carleton, McMaster, Queen’s, Ryerson, University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, Waterloo and York will use the money for high-tech research projects involving the Internet, telehealth and similar areas. March launches telehealth project with Ottawa schoolNursing students at Ottawa’s Algonquin College will be using state-of-the-art home telehealth technology next fall. The school will be deploying a network from March Networks Corp. Man convicted of abusing Winnipeg 911 systemWilliam John Root was convicted of mischief after calling Winnipeg’s 911 system eight times to settle a dispute with a police officer. The 59-year-old man was convinced his wife was having an affair with the policeman. WebNet hit with US$1.2 million fine by FCC for slammingThe Federal Communications Commission has fined WebNet Communications Inc. US$1.2 million for slamming 20 customers’ phone lines. The FCC had 185 complaints about the activities of the American telco. ICANN to approve non-English domain names shortlyThe Internet Corp. for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will be approving non-English domain names within the next few months, chair Vincent Cerf has announced. New technical standards will permit computers to read characters in Arabic, Chinese and other languages, which previously could not be translated by the machines. France Télécom offices raided by competition copsAgents of France’s competition bureau raided the offices of France Télécom after competitors and consumers complained about the winback promotions of the government-owned ILEC. The telco has also issued a EUR 15-billion (around $23.8 billion) rights issue. Do Not Call list popular before officially unveiledCalifornia’s attorney general Bill Lockyer reports that over 180,000 people signed up for the state’s Do Not Call registry. New federal regulations take effect this fall (NL Update, Mar. 31/03). FCC updates information program for American militaryThe Federal Communications Commission has introduced an enhanced version of its "Calling Home" program due to the deployment of troops in Iraq. The information package tells military families about their options on phone subsidies, wireless use and telephone scams. British Telecom cuts calling rates for evenings and weekendsBT Group is eliminating per-minute charges in its BT Together residential package for all evening and weekend calls. Subscribers will now pay 6 pence (about 14 cents) for up to an hour on all calls within the United Kingdom in off-peak hours. WorldCom appeal dismissed by U.S. Supreme CourtThe Supreme Court of the United States rejected an appeal by WorldCom Inc., AT&T Corp. and other telcos over rules for competition in telephony and Internet services. An overhaul of the regulations by the Federal Communications Commission made the argument moot, the court decided. Sprint subscriber not a deadbeat, just deadSprint kept sending a bill for US$3.95 for David Towles of the Hillside Cemetery in Auburn MA. Towles has been residing in the cemetery since his death in December 1997. The town clerk is holding on to the bill, worried that it could affect the credit rating of the dear departed.

NL Short Takes

News | April 7, 2003

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