NL Short Takes

CRTC moves three cases to expedited proceedingsFollowing its recently announced fast track procedure (NL, Feb. 17/04), the CRTC has decided to move three applications to a panel of three commissioners who will conduct an oral hearing on March 26. The cases are Shaw Cablesystems’ Part VII application against Telus Communications Inc. over Internet promotions and bundles; Rogers Communications Inc. and Call-Net Enterprises Inc.’s Part VII against Bell Canada over bundling safeguards; and Cybersurf Corp.’s complaint against Shaw over third-party access. Bell needn’t publish Telus listings, CRTC rulesIn Telecom Decision 2004-14, the CRTC said that Bell Canada is under no obligation to print the names of Telus Québec subscribers in Bell’s white pages directory in Quebec City. The ruling, from which commissioner Stuart Langford dissented, pointed out that Telus has its own directory serving the region. Commission forbears from IXPL routes above DS-3 speedsThe CRTC ruled in Telecom Decision 2004-12 that it will forbear from regulating high capacity interexchange private line services on routes for which ILEC competitors have service at DS-3 or more bandwidth. The ruling affects 10 Bell Canada routes in Quebec and a Call-Net Enterprises Inc. route between Red Deer AB and Belleville ON. Toll-free per-call compensation for hotels denied by CRTCIn Telecom Decision 2004-11, the CRTC turned down a request by OPCOM Hospitality Solutions Inc. and the Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association that would have allowed the health and hospitality industry to receive per-call compensation for toll-free calls originating on their networks. An alternative proposal to block, reroute or otherwise move calls was also dismissed. Cabletel to sell distribution business to Power & TelephoneMarkham ON’s Cabletel Communications Corp. has agreed to sell its distribution business to Power & Telephone Supply Co. of Canada. The deal is expected to close by mid-month. Storm has minimal impact on Atlantic telcosThe major snowstorm that buffeted Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island last month caused very few problems for telephone subscribers in the region. Aliant Telecom tells Network Letter that 1,500 service outages were reported and repaired within days while EastLink Telephone says the storm was "uneventful" for its customers. The CRTC closed its Dartmouth/Halifax office due to the weather. Alcatel sells IP router to Allstream for Ethernet gridAllstream Corp. has purchased an IP service router from Alcatel for deployment in its national Gigabit Ethernet network. The CLEC can now provide enhanced Ethernet-based services with QoS guarantees.Network Associates sells anti-spam product to Telus QuébecTelus Québec is deploying Network Associate Inc.’s McAfee SpamKiller for WebShield on its Internet grid. Telus Québec processes up to 6 million emails each day and detects up to 5,000 virus-infected messages per hour. 360networks expands grid using Lucent gear360networks Corp. has purchased optical networking equipment from Lucent Technologies. The gear will be used to expand 360networks’ North American optical network. SuperPages to print EastLink directory in HalifaxSuperPages will publish a telephone directory in Halifax for EastLink Telephone. The book will appear early next year with editions in other Maritime centres likely, as EastLink rolls out to other communities. Shaw inks strategic agreement with American carrierShaw Communications Inc. subsidiary Big Pipe Inc. has signed a strategic agreement with Broadwing Communications to extend their network and service markets. The deal gives Big Pipe access to the American market while Broadwing now has entry to the Canadian marketplace through Big Pipe’s backbone. Eiger Technology amends Onlinetel sales agreementEiger Technology Inc. has changed the terms of the agreement that will see Newlook Industries Corp. take over Eiger’s Onlinetel Corp. division. Eiger will accept a debt settlement for $1.2 million owed to it by Onlinetel. Vidéotron delivers bills online with help from Canada PostVidéotron ltée has signed a deal with Canada Post that will see the cableco’s Internet and cable bills available online. The epost system will be rolled out for Vidéotron customers this spring. Federal Court dismisses privacy case against TelusThe Federal Court of Canada has dismissed with costs an appeal by Roger Englander over charges for unlisted phone numbers. The Vancouver man had argued that he should not have to pay to be excluded from Telus Communications Inc.’s white pages directory (NL, Oct. 22/01). Englander maintained the action violated the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Northern community offline after ISP halts serviceThe community of Arctic Bay NU is without Internet service after ISP Check It Out stopped operating in the hamlet of 600 people. The service disruption is affecting online learning and administrative operations. American VoIP players to fight regulationA group of technology companies have formed the Voice Over Internet Coalition urging the Federal Communications Commission to take a hands-off approach to VoIP regulation. Coalition members include AT&T, Level 3 Communications, MCI, Texas Instruments and Microsoft. Computer firms form security organizationThe Cyber Security Industry Alliance has been formed by 11 American computer security companies to lobby on industry-specific issues in Washington. Members include Computer Associates, Network Associates and Entrust. Regulators issue proposals for broadband servicesOfcom, the British telecom and broadcasting regulator, has released a consultation document on numbering arrangements for voice over broadband services. Meanwhile in Washington the Federal Communications Commission has issued a notice of proposed rule making on carrier current systems, including broadband over powerlines. Mob controls Missouri telco, New York prosecutors allegeThe Village Voice reports that the Cass County Telephone Co., a small rural telco in Peculiar MO, is being investigated by American authorities for links to organized crime. The Gambino crime family bought the company using funds from Internet and credit card fraud, prosecutors assert. Verizon says man can’t sell Jenny’s phone numberA New York City lawyer has been told by Verizon Communications that he can’t sell his phone number on eBay. The number-212-867-5309-is similar to the one in the song 867-5309/Jenny by one-hit wonder Tommy Tutone.

NL Short Takes

News | March 3, 2004

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