NL Short Takes

CRTC says lite Internet subject to resale rulesIn Telecom Decision 2003-47, the CRTC ruled that third-party access rules apply to high-speed Internet services with slower speeds. The ruling is a victory for the Independent Members of the Canadian Association of Internet Providers (IMCAIP), which had filed a complaint about the resale of lite Internet products (NL, Nov. 19/02). Next wave of broadband business plans fundedThe federal government is providing $1.7 million to fund business plans for the rollout of broadband. A total of 65 recipients, serving 906 communities, will split the money. Another $1.7 million is going to applicants representing 110 First Nations communities. Former Jitec boss free on bail in loan shark caseBenoît Laliberté has been charged with being a member of a loansharking gang in Quebec and is free after posting $20,000 bail. The former president of Jitec Inc. is still under investigation by the Quebec Securities Commission over trading activities involving Jitec. CRTC agrees on Group Telecom-Aliant settlementThe dispute between Group Telecom Services Corp. and Aliant Telecom Inc. over access to the lines inside St. John’s Memorial University of Newfoundland has been settled by the CRTC. In Telecom Order 2003-271, the commission ratified the dollar-per-channel deal the two telcos worked out earlier (NL, June 16/03.) Persona purchases cablecos in western OntarioPersona Inc. has agreed to buy 19 cable systems in western Ontario from the Saugeen Group of Companies. The move will see Persona add 2,200 Internet customers in areas such as Port Elgin and Listowel. Clearwater Capital boosts stake in Call-Net EnterprisesClearwater Capital Management Inc. has purchased an additional 40,000 non-voting shares in Call-Net Enterprises Inc. That brings the firm’s stake in the telco to more than 2 million shares, or 10.2% of the firm. Eight projects in Ottawa get CANARIE fundingIndustry Canada has earmarked $6.6 million for eight CANARIE Inc. advanced applications projects, all of them located in Ottawa. Receiving the funds are Level Platforms, Global IQX Inc., NovaForum, TrueContext Inc., the University of Ottawa, the Canadian School Boards Association, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Intermap Technologies Corp. Carrier access charge dropped for four ILECsThe CRTC has approved a request by four incumbents to withdraw the 800/888 carrier access: multi-carrier selection capability development charge per query. Telecom Decision 2003-46 affects Aliant Telecom Inc., Bell Canada, MTS Communications Inc. and Telus Communications Inc. The four will issue new tariff pages and will settle accounts with all affected customers, including providing any necessary rebates. Call-Net division buys Mosaic Performance from parentAlternaCall Inc., a subsidiary of Call-Net Enterprises Inc., has purchased the assets of Mosaic Performance Solutions Canada from Mosaic Group Inc. The deal is worth $14.25 million plus cash for working capital. MPS is a LD reseller that deals with other corporate customers. Residential and business rates increased in QuebecIn Telecom Order 2003-266, CoopTel has been awarded increases in the monthly rates for business and residential lines in its serving area. Another Quebec independent, La Compagnie de Téléphone de Warwick, had similar increases approved in Telecom Order 2003-267.Northwestel disappointed in some aspects of rulingNorthern ILEC Northwestel has expressed disappointment in the provisions of Telecom Decision 2003-39 (NL Update, June 23/03). In a news release, the Bell Canada subsidiary said it wanted to roll out services to more communities than the CRTC thought appropriate and worried about pressure on cash flow due to the ruling. CRTC approves new business and Internet rates in B.C.The CRTC has approved new rates for business primary exchange services and Internet dial-up services for Prince Rupert City Telephones. The provisions of Telecom Order 2003-281 take effect immediately. Téléphone Guèvremont dropped from SATAT tariffThe CRTC has rubber-stamped an application by la Société d’administration des tarifs d’accès des télécommunicateurs (SATAT) to remove Téléphone Guèvremont inc. from its general tariff. Telecom Order 2003-273 was issued to formalize the withdrawal of Téléphone Guèvremont from SATAT. CRTC amends one paragraph of confidentiality rulingIn Telecom Decision 2003-33-1, the CRTC has replaced one paragraph in its ruling on confidentiality provisions for Canadian carriers. The original decision was issued at the end of May (NL, June 2/03). Nettel releases calling plan for Canada and U.S.Nettel Telecom has introduced a 1.9 cent per minute LD calling plan for Canada and the United States. Subscribers to the IP phone service can use the plan on wireline, payphone or wireless phones. Winnipeg online chat deemed a hit, despite glitchesAn online chat session featuring Winnipeg mayor Glen Murray was considered a success, despite a few technical glitches. More than 90 users logged on to speak with the mayor, but only 20 could get into the chatroom at one time. Murray was promoting a new environmental plan for the city. Two Vidéotron workers found guilty of sabotageTwo Quebec City employees of Vidéotron ltée have been convicted of mischief for interfering with high-speed Internet cables in Lévis. Jacques Carrier and Raynald Desautels were both found guilty while a third defendant was acquitted. The vandalism occurred while Vidéotron was in the midst of a long and bitter labour dispute. Intel Corp. buys West Bay SemiconductorComputer chip giant Intel Corp. has purchased Vancouver’s West Bay Semiconductor. Financial terms were not revealed. Moose hunters on horn of licensing dilemmaHunters in New Brunswick say telephone problems have led to them being overcharged for moose licences. Bill Coates of Moncton called the phone line twice, gave up, registered on the Internet and was billed for three licences.

NL Short Takes

News | July 15, 2003

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