NL Short Takes

CRTC opens up MDU market to local telco competitionIn Telecom Decision 2003-45, the CRTC is providing access to multi-dwelling units (MDUs) to all local service providers. Among the provisions of the 31-page ruling is the prohibition of exclusive arrangements between telcos and building owners. Supreme Court rules against Bell Canada in pay equity fightThe Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed with costs an appeal by Bell Canada over pay equity (NL, Jan. 28/03). The telco issued a press release saying it is committed to solving the dispute with the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada. The ILEC reached an agreement earlier over the issue with the Canadian Telecommunications Employees' Association (NL, Sept. 10/02). Yellow Pages Group files income fund prospectusThe Yellow Pages Group Co. has filed a preliminary prospectus with securities regulators across the country to create an income fund. The Yellow Pages Income Fund will own the company, which produces telephone directories for Bell Canada. Aliant loses LD, Internet service in CharlottetownAbout 600 Aliant Telecom Inc. subscribers in Charlottetown were without LD and Internet service for one day. Aliant reports a cable was knocked down in the city, affecting service in five exchanges. Cybersurf offers refunds for "free" serviceCybersurf has settled a dispute with the Alberta government over supposedly free Internet access. The Calgary ISP sold software promising free email and Internet for life for $9.95 but started charging customers $9.95 per month after September 2001. The company has agreed to provide refunds to complaining customers. CRTC corrects earlier correctionsThe CRTC has made further revisions to its rates for competitor services. In Telecom Decision 2003-13-2, the regulator changed amendments for MTS Communications Inc. and Telus Communications Inc. (NL Update, May 26/03). Treasury Board tables Government OnLine reportThe annual report on the government online measure by the federal government has been tabled by the Treasury Board Secretariat. Among the new initiatives introduced by the government are upgraded security measures, improvements to the Canada web site, and 22 services put online. FCI Broadband makes deal with Catena NetworksFCI Broadband has signed an agreement with Ottawa's Catena Networks for a broadband loop system. The Catena product provides POTS and ADSL service on every line, permitting FCI to deliver voice and data to its subscribers.Net Insight and BSE form alliance to deliver broadcast IPSwedish equipment manufacturer Net Insight AB has formed a partnership with Toronto's Broadcast Systems and Equipment Inc. to deliver media transmission products in Canada. A product from Net Insight is already undergoing trials from an unnamed Canadian telco and a broadcaster. Galaxy Telecom introduces VoIP partner programVancouver's Galaxy Telecom has unveiled a VoIP business partnership program. The program provides a turnkey managed service to ISPs, telcos, and cablecos. Bell Canada SIP approved, R&V dismissed by CRTCThe CRTC has approved Bell Canada's revised service improvement plan in Telecom Decision 2003-43. In Telecom Decision 2003-42, the commission denied a review and vary application by the telco over the capital cost criteria for serving unserved areas, cited earlier in the price cap ruling, Telecom Decision 2002-34. Convenxia and YAK ink joint venture agreementConvenxia Ltd. and YAK Communications Inc. have entered into a joint venture agreement. Toronto-based YAK has purchased a full suite of next-gen software that will help it provide better service to its customers (NL, Apr. 22/03). Primus registers five conferencing trademarksPrimus Telecommunications Canada Inc. has filed a series of trademark applications with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. The five applications are for conferencing services. Vertical 7 joins International Institute of TelecomMontreal's Vertical 7 has been accepted for membership in the International Institute of Telecommunications. Vertical 7's president Chrystian Guy was a co-founder of Netgraphe Inc. Fewer than half of Canadians like phone serviceA survey conducted by IBM Business Consulting Services Canada on health care satisfaction found that Canadians are much happier with their medical care than other services. Only 45% said they are very satisfied with their telephony service, compared with 58% for health care and 52% for banking services. Vancouver customers see red over White PagesTelus residential clients in Vancouver and area are upset that the SuperPages division of Verizon split the Lower Mainland White Pages into five separate directories. Many are blaming Telus Communications Inc., which sold the directory business two years ago (NL Update, Aug. 7/01). SuperPages is offering all the phone books to customers who request them and vows it will follow CRTC guidelines in the future. U.S. telcos practise gilt by associationThe sons of three important U.S. senators are bringing in hefty fees acting as lobbyists for telecoms, the Los Angeles Times reports. John Breaux Jr., who received $240,000 (all figures U.S. dollars) from SBC Communications and $288,033 from BellSouth, is the son of a Louisiana Democrat who sits on the communications subcommittee. Scott Hatch, the child of Utah Republican Orrin Hatch, was paid $195,000 by Verizon and $82,000 by Qwest. BellSouth spent $160,000 on the services of Chet Lott, son of Mississippi's Trent Lott, former Republican leader in the Senate. France Télécom ordered to lower local loop feesART, the French telecom regulator, has ordered France Télécom to roll back its local loop interconnection charges. The ILEC has been told to levy the same fees that it did five years ago. American legislators promise tough anti-spam lawsTwo members of the United States House of Representatives, Heather Wilson (R-NM) and Gene Green (D-TX), have introduced anti-spam legislation. H.R. 2515, which the pair say is tougher than other bills before Congress, has been referred to the energy and judiciary committees for consideration. Warning about scams is a scamThe FBI in Minneapolis is investigating an Internet scam involving Minnesota-based Best Buy. Someone spammed people with a Fraud Alert warning, urging Best Buy customers to log onto a special web site and enter their credit card and Social Security numbers. No arrests have been made.

NL Short Takes

News | July 2, 2003

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