NL Update

Review and vary filed over local calling areasWest Coast Teltech Ltd. and A&A Call Link Telesolutions Ltd. have filed a review and vary application over two CRTC decisions on expanding local calling areas. The commission established a new framework for amalgamated cities in Telecom Decision 2002-56 (NL, Sept. 23/02). It imposed a three-year term for foregone toll revenue in Telecom Decision 2003-27 (NL, May 20/03).Telus, TWU bargaining resumesThe bargaining committee from the Telecommunications Workers Union reports that contract talks with Telus Corp. are continuing. The negotiations resume today and continue for two weeks. Talks are at the global review stage, preceding the 60-day conciliation phase.Court permits fee for unlisted phone numbersThe Federal Court of Canada has upheld a decision by the Privacy Commissioner that telcos have the right to charge fees for unlisted telephone numbers. Mathew Englander had claimed that Telus had violated the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act by listing his name in the White Pages and on Canada411 (NL, Oct. 22/01). Then-Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski had ruled the telco was within its rights to publish Englander’s name and number.Cybersurf sues dissident shareholders for $6 millionCybersurf Corp. has launched a $6-million lawsuit against Mercury Partners & Co. Inc. and its two principals for their roles in an unsuccessful attempt to replace the Cybersurf board. Tom and Tian Kusumoto accused Paul Mercia, president/CEO of the Calgary ISP, of using corporate funds to buy votes in the takeover fight. They also alleged that Mercia had not filed insider-trading documents (NL Update, Nov. 25/02).BCI class action lawsuit amendedWilfred Shaw has amended his statement of claim against BCE Inc. and Bell Canada International (BCI). The BCI shareholder had been seeking $1 billion for the handling of the dissolution of the telco (NL Update, Sept. 30/02). His original motion was dismissed by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice last May.Cogeco Cable revises 2003 guidance for Internet subscriber additionsSlower growth in high-speed Internet subscribers in the first nine months of its 2003 fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2003 has caused Cogeco Cable Inc. to revise downward its guidance for the year, the cableco said last week in announcing its third-quarter financial results. Canada’s fourth-largest cableco now expects to add between 45,000 and 50,000 net high-speed customers in the year, down from its previous target of 55,000. Cogeco’s Internet subscriber base increased by 4.1% in the third quarter ended May 31 to 195,737. Of that total, 4,159 were Internet Lite customers and 492 were Internet Pro customers. CRTC expands Quebec local calling areasThe CRTC has granted two independent ILECs permission to expand their local calling areas. Approval for La Companie de Téléphone de Lambton inc. was given in Telecom Order 2003-264. Le Téléphone de St-Éphrem inc. received permission in Telecom Order 2003-265.Aliant unveils firewall product for Internet customersAliant Inc. has introduced a personal firewall service for its Internet subscribers. The product, which protects surfers from hackers, has been developed by Montreal’s Zero-Knowledge Systems. The service can be used by high-speed and dial-up customers.Telus files Allstream channelizing appeal with CRTCTelus Communications Inc. has submitted a Part VII application with the CRTC over DS3 channelization it provides to Allstream Inc., the former AT&T Canada. Allstream is currently receiving digital network access service from Telus, but the tariffs do not provide for channelizing. Allstream has not told Telus how it wants to handle the discrepancy and the western ILEC is threatening to suspend service as of today.Cygnal Technologies moves from Oshawa to MarkhamAn Ontario telecom equipment manufacturer is moving its offices from one part of the Greater Toronto Area to another. Cygnal Technologies Corp. has relocated to Markham from Oshawa. The company will consolidate offices from Oshawa, Richmond Hill and Scarborough.Vidéotron subsidiary wins IT contract in RimouskiMensys, a division of Vidéotron Télécom ltée, has been awarded a turnkey contract from the City of Rimouski. The contract to update the IT systems in the Quebec city is worth more than $1 million. The deal includes hardware, software, and professional services.INTERNATIONAL NEWSQwest granted extension on filing resultsQwest Communications International has been given until September 30 to release its audited 2002 annual report and Q1 results for the 2003 fiscal year. The previous deadline was July 15, itself an extension from the original target. The company wants to restate earnings from 2000 and 2001. Verizon to take US$3-billion chargeVerizon Communications Inc. announced that it will take a charge of US$3 billion in its current quarter. It attributes the charge to accounting changes for its Yellow pages directories and a write-off of a Mexican wireless firm. The company’s Q2 results will be issued on July 29.

NL Update

News | July 7, 2003

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