NL Update

CRTC issues QoS standardsThe CRTC has settled various issues on quality of service indicators in Telecom Decision 2003-72, released October 30. It also gave final approval to 10 QoS indicators that had been filed by the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC). The commission began a public proceeding on finalizing the QoS rate adjustment cap with Telecom Public Notice 2003-9.Bell West completes Calgary-Edmonton SuperNet corridorBell West Inc. announced last week that it has completed the connection between Calgary and Edmonton for Alberta’s SuperNet. The rollout will bring the network to 2,033 service locations. Among the cities along the route are Red Deer, Leduc and Wetaskiwin.Northwestel issues warning on third-party billingNorthwestel is advising customers on how to avoid being hit with third-party billing charges. The northern ILEC has received complaints from clients unaware that calls from phone booths, hotels or other sites that have inked deals with other carriers. The telco advocates the use of Northwestel or Canada Direct.YAK rolls out service to eastern CanadaToronto-based long-distance telephone reseller YAK Communications (Canada) Inc. is now offering its service in the four Atlantic provinces. It is using ILEC Aliant Telecom Inc. as its partner. The move into the region means the company is now providing service to all 10 provinces.GTA police warn of CCRA telephone scamPolice in the Peel region outside of Toronto are warning the public about a telephone scam being conducted in the area. Someone posing as an employee with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency calls people saying they are eligible for a tax rebate. After they provide personal information, their bank accounts and credit cards are accessed.CRTC approves changes to co-location tariffs and CO agreementsIn Telecom Decision 2003-73, dated October 31, the CRTC has approved with modifications tariff notices filed by Telus Communications Inc. The notices concern co-location tariffs and central office licence agreements. The ruling also establishes a show cause proceeding for other ILECs to prove if they should be subject to the same rules.CRTC denies Télébec Centrex applicationThe CRTC has denied an application by la Société en commandite Télébec to introduce new Centrex rates. The telco wanted to charge $57.62 for business line service, PBX service and Centrex, as well as a rate of $66.95 for analog access telephone lines. The commission ruled, in Telecom Order 2003-437, that the company did not provide adequate cost evidence to support the application.Télébec issues $70 million in debenturesBell Nordiq Group is issuing $70 million worth of 5.75% debentures. The money raised will be used to redeem an earlier 7.6% series of debentures. The 10-year debentures are being sold for $99.985.Q3 EARNINGS REPORTSBCE reports increased revenue in Q3 2003Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. reported slightly increased revenue for Q3 2003 over the same period a year earlier. At Bell Canada, local and access revenues grew by 0.7% from a year earlier. Revenues for residential and business local access lines fell 0.8% while LD dropped by 3.1%.Telus revenues up in Q3 2003 versus 2002Telus Corp. reported increased revenues for Q3 2003 over Q3 2002. The company also noted that two investment houses have raised their outlooks for the telco. Telus conceded that it is having problems with quality of service standards.MTS reports increase in operating revenues in third quarterManitoba Telecom Services Inc. announced that total operating revenues were up slightly in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the same period a year earlier. Local and LD revenues dropped, while wireless and Internet revenue grew. The regional ILEC’s share of Bell West’s net losses for the three months ended September 30 was lower than 2002.Allstream sees revenues decline in Q3Revenues were down at Allstream Corp. in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the same period last year. Declines were reported in all sectors – data, Internet and IT services; local; and LD. The company praised the CRTC for its pro-competitive rulings of late.Call-Net revenues increase in third quarterCall-Net Enterprises Inc. reported a 3.2% increase in total revenues for the third quarter of this year versus the same period last year. Growth in local revenues offset decreases in LD and data. The company is hopeful about recent developments on the regulatory front.Telesat reports increase in revenue in Q3Telesat Canada announced that revenue was $83.9 million in Q3 2003, up from $77.4 million in Q3 2002. The BCE Inc. subsidiary reported that consolidated operating revenue for the first nine months also increased. The company is still trying to collect contribution fees from an unnamed customer.INTERNATIONAL NEWSMCI reorganization plan approved by courtsThe U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved MCI’s plan of reorganization. This means the former WorldCom can emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. MCI chair/CEO Michael Capellas said the confirmation came faster than expected.Capex spending declines in EuropeA study by Infonetics Research finds that European ILECs capex will fall by 12% this year. The companies will spend EUR 33.3 billion (about $51 billion) in 2003. CLECs will cut their capex spending by 37%, the survey says.BellSouth offers businesses VoIPAmerican telco BellSouth is planning to offer VoIP service to small- and medium-sized business clients. Companies with anywhere from 12 to “several hundred” phone users are the potential market. Equipment is being supplied by Cisco Systems and Nortel Networks Corp.KPN free to make school DSL dealDutch telco KPN is not being anti-competitive by offering to provide free broadband to local schools, telecom regulator OPTA has declared (NL, Sept. 29/03). Even proposed changes to the Dutch telecommunications regime would permit the deal to go ahead. The issue had raised concerns in the Netherlands parliament. FTC shuts down B.C. telemarketersThe Federal Trade Commission has received a temporary restraining order against seven Canadian telemarketers who allegedly bilked Americans over non-existent lottery winnings. The five numbered companies and two brothers operated out of British Columbia. The FTC thanked the RCMP for their assistance in cracking the case.

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News | November 3, 2003

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Cogeco’s revenue, profits decline but company expecting better days as MVNO grows

Bill aimed at protecting telecom infrastructure against cyberattacks strikes at privacy rights, say civil society groups

CTA says new criminal legislation will help combat copper theft

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