NL Short Takes

Telus troubles with service are history, company saysWestern ILEC Telus Corp. says it has significantly improved its customer service. The company maintains its service levels are above where they were before an efficiency program was instituted. Contract talks continue for two largest ILECsThe Telecommunications Workers Union has issued a background paper telling its members where the union and Telus Communications Inc. differ on contract negotiations as the telco says it will table its final offer this week. Meanwhile, talks between Bell Canada and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada are continuing. SaskTel applies for local rate increases and lowers LD ratesSaskTel has applied to the CRTC for increases in its local business rates. The provincially-owned telco has also unveiled cuts to its various LD plans. Bell Canada joins major firms to form anti-spam coalitionBell Canada is among a group of telcos, ISPs and software companies who are forming an industry coalition to battle spam. The group, which includes Cox Communications Inc. and Internet Initiative Japan, will act as a "neighbourhood watch" to get rid of unwanted email from their networks. Canada and United States sign consular agreementAt the recent Summit of the Americas meeting in Mexico, Foreign Affairs minister Bill Graham and American Secretary of State Colin Powell exchanged letters on mutual respect for passports. The issue came to a head over the United States’ treatment of Canadian telecom engineer Maher Arar (NL, Oct. 28/03). CRTC forbears from regulating IXPL servicesThe CRTC announced in Telecom Decision 2004-2 that it is forbearing from regulating additional high capacity digital data interexchange private line services. The move will apply to routes on which CLECs currently offer services at bandwidth of DS-3 or greater. Cabletel says economic outlook bleak, looking at several optionsCabletel Communications Corp. says it does not have enough working capital and it questions its ability to continue operations. The Markham ON broadband equipment distributor is weighing several options, including asset sales, issuing debt or equity securities, or restructuring. Northwestel improves phone, Internet networks in NunavutNorthwestel has upgraded its network in Baker Lake NU from a telephone exchange to a digital switch at a cost of $440,000. The northern ILEC is also rolling out dial-up Internet service in Pond Inlet NU as part of its service improvement plan. Edmonton seeking 211 exchange funds from provinceThe City of Edmonton is asking the province to provide it with $400,000 to fund a 211 emergency line. The United Way has already agreed to help pay for the service, which would be similar to projects in other major cities (NL, Sept. 11/01). Lucky Call rolls out service in Alberta, B.C. and TorontoGlobalive Communications has introduced its Lucky Call dial-around service in Alberta, British Columbia and Toronto. Every time subscribers make calls, they are eligible to win vacations and other prizes. Telecom Ottawa inks deal with local school boardTelecom Ottawa has signed a 10-year strategic partnership agreement with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. The utel will provide high-speed connectivity to 154 locations throughout the area. Telecom Ottawa is also testing power line communications, following the lead of Hydro-Québec (NL, Dec. 8/03). Q9 Networks wins contract for Internet pari-mutuel bettingToronto’s Q9 Networks Inc. has won a contract from Woodbine Entertainment Group to host an online horse-wagering site. Bettors will be able to use the Internet to gamble on races in North America, Australia and Hong Kong. Sprint Canada receives IP contract from OppenheimerThe Oppenheimer Group has hired Sprint Canada Inc. to provide it with IP services. Oppenheimer, based in Coquitlam B.C., will be able to connect all of its operations in North America on a single platform. EXFO reports sales growth and reduction in lossesEXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. announced sales growth of 11.4% from Q4 2003 to Q1 2004. For Q1, the Quebec City company posted a loss of US$2 million, down from the US$10.1 million recorded in Q4 03. Winnipeg police move 911 centre temporarilyThe 911 centre for the Winnipeg police is moving to a new building as renovations are made to the Public Safety Building. The city wants to create a backup centre, so there is no interruption of emergency services. Eventually the second site would become a permanent backup, guaranteeing 911 service would continue in spite of service interruptions. American call centre creates 300 jobs in Brandon MBConvergys Corp. is opening a call centre in Brandon MB, bringing 300 jobs to the Prairie city in the first two years of operation. The Cincinnati-based firm expects to begin operations by July. Novanet wins IP contract from Diavik Diamond MinesNovanet Communications Ltd. is providing IP-based satellite services to Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. The Ajax ON company will provide connectivity from Diavik’s mines in the Northwest Territories to Novanet’s Internet and LD network. RAMTelecom buys VPN product from Encore NetworksOttawa’s RAMTelecom has chosen Encore Networks Inc. to supply it with security appliances for its networks. The Encore product will allow RAMTelecom customers to create end-to-end virtual private networks (VPNs) across terrestrial and satellite grids.

NL Short Takes

News | January 19, 2004

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