The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.

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Wireline carriers fight back against wireless LNP
U.S. wireline carriers have launched their counteroffensive against wireless local number portability, imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and set to go into effect on November 24. Late last week, BellSouth filed for US$38 million in repayment with the FCC for the costs of porting wireline customers to wireless carriers. There is also speculation that Qwest will file suit in federal court over the FCC’s wireline to wireless portability rules. Representatives from Qwest have had no comment on the potential suit. The FCC has indicated that it is ready to defend any challenge to its wireless number portability rules.

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Mitec Telecom Inc. has made two key personnel changes to its executive team. Ken Allstaff has been appointed VP of European sales and David Kennedy has been named executive VP, global sales and marketing. Allstaff has held a number of senior-level positions within Mitec's sales, marketing and operations divisions. Kennedy brings more than 20 years experience to Mitec having served in executive and senior-level positions at Motorola and Alcatel.

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Three weeks to apply for unassigned PCS spectrum
Parties interested in acquiring spectrum unassigned in the 2001 PCS spectrum auction have until December 8 to submit an expression of interest. It is after that date that Industry Canada will determine whether it will proceed with an auction of the 10 available licences or offer the licences on a first-come, first-served basis. The licences are for the most part in rural areas such as the Yukon and Northwest Territories and Northern Quebec where there are four licences available in each territory. There are also single licences up for grabs in Saskatchewan and QuebecTel area. As was the case in the auction, the licences are 5×5 MHz paired blocks.

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