NL Update

Nortel to sell off manufacturing facilitiesNortel Networks will cease manufacturing telecom equipment, concentrating on R&D instead, the company announced. The company is hoping to sell its plants in Calgary and Montreal as well as divisions in Brazil, Ulster and France. The Canadian firm is currently holding discussions with Singapore-based Flextronics Corp. to sell the fabrication facilities.Rogers boosts high-speedRogers Cable Inc. is offering even higher speeds for its high-speed Internet service, just weeks after increasing the speeds (NL Update, Dec. 15/03). The revamped service will offer residential customers download speeds of up to 5Mbps. The company is also rolling out a co-branded service with Yahoo! Inc.British Telecom rolls out MPLS node in TorontoBT Global Services, a division of British Telecom, has unveiled a multi-protocol label switching node in Toronto. This is part of the telco’s plan to extend its IP infrastructure in North America. BT has operations in many major Canadian cities.CRTC forbears from regulating additional IXPL servicesIn Telecom Decision 2004-3, the CRTC decided to forbear from regulating additional interexchange private line services. The forbearance applies on routes for which competitors offer services at DS-3 or greater bandwidth. There are certain conditions imposed on the affected telcos.Quebecor to publish directory for American ILECQuebecor World has signed a new contract to print directories for Arkansas-based telco Alltel Corp. The Canadian firm will print 145 white and yellow page directories in 37 states. The printing will be done in Quebecor facilities in Edmonton and in the United States.Onlinetel offers new rate planVoIP telco Onlinetel has rolled out a new rate plan. Subscribers to its Call Zone plan can call the rest of Canada for 2.9 cents per minute and 3.9 cents to the United States. Overseas calls to 14 nations will cost 4.9 cents per minute.CRTC upholds PIAC’s cost applicationThe CRTC has approved an application for costs filed by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in its fight over basic toll schedule disclosure (NL Update, Sept. 3/02). Telecom Costs Order 2004-2 grants PIAC $16,689.98 for its work. Two-thirds of the money will be paid by Bell Canada, MTS and SaskTel, with Telus Communications Inc. on the hook for 23% and Aliant Telecom responsible for 9%.Network Associates unveils scholarship programNetwork Associates Inc. has introduced the McAfee Scholars Program, which will grant bursaries of $2,500 to high school students who plan to study math and science in university or college. The scholarships will be awarded in Toronto and in 15 regions of the United States. In addition, the company will give two at-large grants to students in other areas.Yukon residents endorse fee for local callingSubscribers in Marsh Lake YT have approved a proposal that would have them pay a monthly fee for local calling between the community and Whitehorse. About 78% of the respondents endorsed the idea. Northwestel will now petition the CRTC to institute extended area service.FCC seeks further comment on Touch America applicationThe Federal Communications Commission is asking for more comment on an application by Touch America Inc. to discontinue domestic telecom services. Several customers of the failed utel have filed objections to the petition. Touch America has already sold off some of its operations to 360networks (NL Update, Aug. 25/03).

NL Update

News | 01/26/2004 5:00 am EST

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