NL Update

Hurricane Juan disrupts telephony service in MaritimesAliant Telecom Inc. reports that it has been able to restore most of the telephony service to its customers in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island who were battered by Hurricane Juan. Brenda Reid of the telco tells Network Letter that Aliant had received 7,700 calls about service disruption, three times the normal amount. Most of the service was restored by the end of last week. Its CLEC rival, EastLink Cable, was predicting that 95% of its service would be restored by the same time.Bell Canada and Microsoft to test TV in TorontoMichael Coulson, associate director for ISP development at Bell Canada, told a U.S. conference that the telco and Microsoft TV have signed a memorandum of understanding to test Microsoft TV in Toronto, CNET News.com reports. Speaking at the Digital Hollywood conference in Los Angeles, he said the move is aimed at fighting cablecos’ move into telephony, although he could not be specific on when the tests would begin. In an email to Network Letter, Bell spokeswoman France Poulin wrote, “Microsoft is a valued partner and as such we have worked together for some time on a number of fronts and initiatives and are constantly talking about potential business opportunities. We don’t make announcements until there’s something to announce and any speculation at this time would be inappropriate.”Northwestel warns of service disruptionsNorthwestel Inc. is advising its subscribers about the possibility of minor disruptions caused by sun transit. The northern ILEC says the disruption, which occurs every fall and spring, affects LD, data and cable TV delivered by satellite. Interruptions usually last between one and 15 minutes.CRTC approves SaskTel and Telus tariff revisionsIn Telecom Decision 2003-67, the CRTC approved tariff revisions filed by SaskTel and Telus Communications Inc. to reflect changes to the affiliate rule. The commission directed other major ILECs to modify their tariffs as well. The affiliate changes were made late last year (NL, Dec. 16/02).Northwestel granted right to market jointly with wireless divisionIn Telecom Decision 2003-65, the CRTC granted Northwestel Inc. approval to market its services jointly with its wireless subsidiary, Northwestel Mobility. It also commented on compliance with its previous decisions on bundling and affiliate rules. The commission has established a show cause process for the telco to comply.Vidéotron registers big jump in Internet customersQuebec cableco Vidéotron ltée announced an increase of 27,000 high-speed Internet subscribers in the third quarter of 2003. It now has 379,000 Internet users. The 27,000 new customers is the largest growth for a third quarter that the cableco has ever recorded.Alcatel wins contract from London subwayAlcatel’s transport solutions division has won a contract from Tube Lines to re-signal rail lines in London UK. The $650-million project will take seven years to complete. Most of the work on equipment will be done in Toronto and Burnaby BC.Call-Net local loop charge approvedThe CRTC has approved a service charge application filed by Call-Net Communications Inc. The company will charge $65.95 for the first 15 minutes of trouble identification on unbundled local loops provisioned by ILECs and $16.75 for each additional 15 minutes. Interim approval was granted in Telecom Order 2003-406.Cochrane rates increaseIn Telecom Order 2003-397, the CRTC approved rate increases by the Cochrane Public Utilities Commission. The residential PES rate will jump from $15.80 to $19.80. Business and Centrex rates will increase to $36.00 from $31.00.Linmor cuts more staffTroubled Ottawa equipment manufacturer Linmor Inc. has put most of its staff on temporary lay-off. The company says its is laying off 64% of its workers until market conditions improve. Published reports suggest the firm is now operating with about a dozen employees. AMERICAN NEWS U.S. government continues with Do Not Call listThe Federal Communications Commission has set up an enforcement team to handle the Do Not Call list, despite the current legal hurdles involved. The Federal Trade Commission has stopped registering people to the list until the matter is resolved. Meanwhile, The Hartford Courant (free registration required) reports that the home telephone numbers of 11 top executives of the Direct Marketing Association, the telemarketers’ lobby group, are listed on the Do Not Call registry. California to regulate VoIP carriersThe California Public Utilities Commission has decided that companies providing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service should apply for telecom licences. Five major VoIP carriers have been asked to file by October 22. Wisconsin and Minnesota have already adopted similar rules, but the size of California could mean that other major states follow suit.Vonage has now provisioned 50,000 linesVoIP company Vonage has provisioned 50,000 lines since it began its service in April 2002. It is adding customers at a rate of 2,000 lines per week. The firm expects to have 100,000 lines in service by the end of the year.

NL Update

News | 10/06/2003 4:00 am EDT

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