NL Update

Telus introduces IP telephony serviceTelus has rolled out its IP-One service, a carrier-grade service, in Ontario and Quebec. The system uses the telco’s next-generation network rather than the telephone network to route calls and data. IP-One is being marketed to business customers only.Media blackout imposed in Telus-TWU contract talksFederal conciliators have imposed a 30-day media blackout as Telus Communications Inc. and the Telecommunication Workers Union enter a 60-day conciliation process. The two sides have been apart on a new contract for months (NL, Aug. 13/02). In other labour talks, Bell Canada is currently negotiating with members of the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP), and Aliant is in talks with the CEP and the Atlantic Communication & Technical Workers’ Union to replace a contract that expired on Dec. 31, 2001.CEP vows to fight foreign ownership changesThe Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) says it will combat any attempts to change the foreign investment restrictions in telecom and broadcasting. The union repeated its call in reaction to a speech last week by CanWest Global Communications Corp. head Leonard Asper, which asked for a lifting of the limits. The CEP represents workers at most of the major ILECs.Sprint Canada helps Canadian businesses deal with American Do Not Call listSprint Canada Inc. has joined with Gryphon Networks to sell a product to deal with the Do Not Call registry recently implemented in the United States. The product will prevent calls from going through and will protect companies from the large fines levied for violation of the rules. Sprint Canada used its relationship with Sprint in the U.S. to facilitate the deployment.CRTC denies Bell Canada application on Megalink bundlesIn Telecom Order 2003-454, the CRTC has denied an application by Bell Canada for a bundle of Megalink service, direct inward dialing numbers, and white page directory listings for health and education clients. The commission ruled that allowing the bundles would give ILECs undue preference in the competitive market. It noted that the competitive landscape had changed since the initial rules were brought in nine years ago.USDA approves Nortel product for rural telcosThe telecom standards committee of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a Nortel Networks Corp. product for rural telcos. The OPTera Metro 5000 multiservice platform provides DWDM and CWDM capabilities for delivery of several properties. The USDA funds rural telcos, through the RUS, for items such as equipment purchases, new construction and network enhancement.Q9 Networks provides Torstar with bandwidth servicesToronto’s Q9 Networks Inc. has signed a deal with Torstar Corp. to provide the media company with managed bandwidth services. Torstar will link its various newspapers in southern Ontario and its online properties. One web site, that of flagship newspaper the Toronto Star, receives more than a million hits each month.Diatem deploys network for Telecom OttawaDiatem Networks Inc. has deployed its service platform for Telecom Ottawa. The utel is operating a 10 Gigabit Ethernet network around the capital. Diatem’s platform can be used across multi-service and multi-vendor networks.YAK sales double in first quarterYAK Communications (USA) Inc. announced sales of US$18.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 ended Sept. 30, 2003, more than doubling the US$8.1 million reported a year earlier. Earnings per diluted share was US$0.27, an increase of 145% from Q1 2003. During the first quarter of FY 2004 the Toronto reseller carried 204 million minutes of traffic with 18 million calls.TigerTel purchases AnswerPlusTigerTel Communications Inc. has bought all the outstanding shares of AnswerPlus Communication Services Inc. AnswerPlus operates a call centre in Nanaimo BC. TigerTel is paying $850,000 for the firm.Peer 1 Network issues year-end reportVancouver’s Peer 1 Network Enterprises Inc. has released its year-end financial statement. Because of a change in year-end, the company reported revenue of $8.6 million for a 10-month period. The 12-month figure was $9.9 million.Total Telcom announces increase in earningsNet earnings at Total Telcom Inc. rose from $94,268 in 2002 to $1.1 million in FY 2003. Revenues for the Edmonton fibre company jumped to $3.6 million from $1.6 million a year earlier. Total Telcom operates in Alberta and B.C.INTERNATIONAL NEWSGlobal DSL to pass 60 million by end of 2003The number of DSL lines in the world should exceed 60 million by the end of the year, Point Topic reports. There were 53 million total DSL lines in September. A separate study by Arthur D. Little predicts the international broadband market will grow by 250% in the next five years. Court bars KPN from offering free InternetA Dutch court has ruled that KPN cannot provide free Internet service to schools in the Netherlands. The court overturned a decision by OPTA, the local telecom regulator, that KPN did not have market dominance (NL Update, Nov. 3/03). The telco had wanted to offer ADSL for a three-year term.

NL Update

News | 11/17/2003 5:00 am EST

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