NL Update

Call-Net wins high-speed Internet fightIn Telecom Decision 2003-49, the CRTC has ordered Aliant Telecom Inc., Bell Canada, SaskTel and Telus Communications Inc. to provide DSL service to customers who may subscribe to a CLEC’s local service. The ruling was in response to a Part VII application filed by Call-Net Enterprises Inc. (NL, Jan. 28/03). The commission has directed MTS Communications Inc. to show why it should not be subject to the same rules.Cisco IP network hitCisco Systems’ IOS software running on Ipv4 packets has been subject to denial of service attacks. Software is available free of charge from the equipment manufacturer. Many Canadian telcos, including Telus and Group Telecom, are advising their customers that they are working on the problem.Telus and TWU announce conciliation termsTelus and the Telecommunications Workers Union have released the action plan in their continuing contract negotiations. The federal conciliators’ review of the global issues has been finalized. A strike by TWU members is not permitted before next February.Nortel and EADS swap operationsNortel Networks Corp. and European aerospace and defence contractor EADS have traded telecom holdings in France and Germany. Nortel is buying EADS’ 42% interest in Nortel Networks Germany GmbH & Co. KG and its 45% stake in Nortel Networks France. In return, the Canadian equipment manufacturer is selling its 41% share of EADS Telecom to the parent company.CRTC sets ILEC service intervals for CLECsIn Telecom Decision 2003-48, the CRTC has established service intervals for services the ILECs provide to CLECs. The commission looked at intervals for services that can be ordered through a local service request (LSR) and those that cannot. It has also initiated a proceeding to examine establishing similar intervals for a mean time to repair (MTTR).Call-Net weighs in on bundling submissionsCall-Net Enterprises Inc. has filed its comments on Part VII applications from Rogers Communications Inc. and EastLink over bundling. The CLEC is supporting the two competitors in their submissions. The cablecos are the latest to launch complaints about the practices of ILECs (NL, July 15/03).Vidéotron increases Internet speedsCable operator Vidéotron ltée is boosting the speeds of its Internet service by the end of August. Upload speed will increase from 180 kbps to 350 kbps. Download speeds will remain unchanged, at 3.1 Mbps.Zarlink reports loss in Q1, cuts staffZarlink Semiconductor Inc. recorded a net loss of US$6.2 million or US$0.05 per share in its 2004 fiscal first quarter ended June 27, 2003, down from the US$8.7 million or US$0.07 per share loss posted in Q1 2003. The Ottawa company is responding by cutting its workforce by 10% and outsourcing some operations. It projects a second quarter loss of about US$0.12 per share.CANARIE funds two British Columbia companiesCANARIE Inc. has provided funding for two high-tech companies in Vancouver. MAKE Technologies Inc. is using its $875,000 to promote its e-business products. Flintbox, an online application that lets small and medium businesses aware of new technology, received $250,000.Tigertel reports stronger quarter, fiscal yearTigertel Communications Inc. of Mississauga ON has released financial results for its fourth quarter and 2003 fiscal year ended April 30, 2003. The company reported a gross profit of $1.6 million in Q4, up from $1.1 million in the same period a year earlier. Gross profit for the entire year was $5.2 million, an increase from the $3.7 million recorded in 2002.INTERNATIONAL NEWSSBC aligns with EchoStar satellite TV provider to provide bundleAmerican telco SBC has joined with EchoStar Communications Corp. to provide satellite TV service to its customers. That means SBC can now offer its subscribers local, LD, wireless, broadband and TV. American telecom analyst Jeff Kagan comments that, “Ultimately I think all the competitors will offer all of these services in one bundle too, either through mergers or strategic partnerships like this.”European Union introduces anti-spam measuresThe European Union wants its member states to impose a ban on spam by this October. Under existing rules adopted last year, email marketing is only permitted with prior consent. The provisions of the anti-spam rules apply to ISPs and wireless services equally.McCaw buys stake in MFNTelecom executive Craig McCaw of Fiber LLC has agreed to buy some of the debt of Metromedia Fiber Network Inc. He will own a significant stake in MFN when it emerges from Chapter 11 protection. The company plans to change its name to AboveNet Inc. when it comes out of bankruptcy protection.

NL Update

News | July 21, 2003

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