NL Short Takes

Telus director denies insider-trading chargesAllegations of insider trading are being denied by Vancouver businessman Iain Harris. Harris, who sits on the board of Telus Corp., has been accused by the Alberta Securities Commission of using inside information in the purchase of shares of Newton Petroleum Corp. Speed bumps still exist in telecom road, Nortel saysNortel Networks Corp.’s CEO Frank Dunn says the telecom market is becoming more stable but challenges still lay ahead. “We’re looking for a much better 2003, but I will tell you, there will still be a number of speed bumps in the way,” he told a group of analysts and investors. Bell and Telus may be on hook for Group Telecom paymentThe CRTC has warned Bell Canada and Telus Communications Inc. that they should be prepared to cover the provisions of a costs order that Group Telecom has not paid so far. In Telecom Decision 2003-34, the commission wants a collective of consumers’ groups to try to get the money from GT under its Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act plan, but if it cannot, Bell must pay 60% and Telus 40% of the money GT owes. Bell buys Ottawa network security company Bell Canada has purchased Jetnet Internetworking Services Inc. of Ottawa for an undisclosed price. The 46 Jetnet employees will be integrated into the Bell Managed Solutions division of the telco. Bell sells billing division to American firmBell Canada has sold its stake in Certen Inc. to Amdocs Ltd. of St. Louis MO. Bell hopes that by shedding its billing system to the American firm it will simplify its business process. Viscount Systems buys Enterphone from TelusViscount Systems Inc. of Burnaby BC has purchased the Enterphone product line from Telus Corp. The assets include up to 2,400 monthly service contracts and will cost Viscount up to $450,000 to complete the deal. Atlantic job hunters get new tool through AliantAliant Inc. has joined with Workopolis to develop a regionally focused job site for Atlantic Canadians through aliant.net. BCE Inc. holds stakes in both Aliant and Workopolis. Indy network access tariffs approved for 2001-2002In Telecom Order 2003-217, the CRTC has approved the final 2001 and interim 2002 network access tariffs (NATs) for the Ontario Telecommunications Association. The 18 independent ILECs had their NATs approved as filed. Alcatel sheds, adds staff in Ottawa operationsEquipment manufacturer Alcatel has pink slipped 60 R&D staff in its Ottawa facility, leaving the Canadian workforce at about 2,000 people. The French firm has bought California-based TiMetra Inc. and will have the new division report to Alcatel’s data business unit, which is situated in Ottawa. Canada Payphone reports better results for Q2 2003Vancouver’s Canada Payphone Corp. said its revenues for the second quarter of 2003 increased $189,455 from the previous year, registering at $820,278. Net loss before interest and amortization was $206,750, compared with $312,466 in Q2 2002. Total Telcom revenues jump in Q3 2003Total Telcom Inc. reported gross revenues of $950,503 in the third quarter, up from $526,493 in Q2. The Edmonton company attributed the better results to three new bandwidth agreements and to the start of third-party construction of a network between Edmonton and Fort McMurray AB. VoiceIQ records first ever consecutive quarterly profitTelephony software maker VoiceIQ Inc. has recorded its second consecutive quarterly profit, the first time the Markham ON company has had back-to-back profitable quarters. In Q2 2003, it showed a profit of $76,808, bringing its year-to-date profit to $202,734. CEP members take pay equity protest to BCE AGMMembers of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada took their protest over slow settlement of a pay equity dispute to the annual general meeting of BCE Inc. BCE has already reached an agreement with the Canadian Telecommunications Employees’ Association (NL, Sept. 10/02). Phone scam artists claim to be police to get free LDPolice in Saskatoon are warning residents about a new telephone scam that steals LD service from unsuspecting victims. The fraud artists phone, claiming to be police making an emergency call, and ask subscribers to hit one to accept the charges for a third party. Bell opens custom-designed call centre in Kingston ONBell Canada has opened a $7-million call centre in Kingston ON. The building, which can handle 290 workers, is the telco’s first custom-designed call centre. Bell and CSTAR expand telemedicine servicesBell Canada has joined with CSTAR—Canadian Surgical Technologies & Advanced Robotics—to provide better telemedical services. The pair recently demonstrated their technology by having a surgeon operate in London ON with input from a urologist in Toronto. Datex Communications sells LD software product to CD TelDatex Communications Corp. has sold its Advanced Customer Management Engine software to CD Tel of Montreal. CD Tel will be able to use the product to provide analysis of LD rates offered by major telecom service providers in Canada. BCNet joins with partners for next-gen computersBCNet is aligning itself with various partners to promote a new project called WestGrid. Under the system, grid computing will permit computers to act as next-generation supercomputers, rather than simply being connected to other computers. Catena unveils video and broadband productsCatena Networks Inc. has introduced a comprehensive video-over-DSL product that allows telcos to bundle voice, data and video services. The Ottawa firm has also unveiled a new suite of products that permits carriers to drive fibre deeper into their networks. Teleglobe sale finalized, marketing push in worksThe sale of Teleglobe Inc. by BCE Inc. to Teleglobe International Holdings Ltd. has been completed. The new management is planning a worldwide marketing campaign to sell voice, data, and other telecom services. University of Toronto hopes to improve fibre-optic lasersThe University of Toronto has discovered a way to examine lasers while they are operating, which could lead to more powerful and efficient lasers for fibre-optic networks. Engineering professor Ted Sargent says his findings could change design and reduce manufacturing costs of lasers. Anne of Green Garbled message shocks proper BostoniansBostonians seeking tourist information about Prince Edward Island where shocked when they were connected to a sex line instead. The Boston Globe had run an ad, under the headline Come Play on My Island, with a 1-800 toll free line instead of the 1-888 number Tourism P.E.I. uses.

NL Short Takes

News | June 2, 2003

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