NL Short Takes

Meriton Networks captures another tier 1 carrierOttawa-based network developer Meriton Networks Inc. has been contracted to deploy KT Corp.’s next generation I-WDM (Intelligent WDM) network, featuring the Meriton Agile Optical Networking (AON) architecture. The agreement with KT, formerly Korea Telecom, adds another tier 1 carrier to Meriton’s portfolio, which includes Verizon Communications Inc., BT and Telecom Ottawa. "KT is seeing phenomenal broadband growth, which is driving the need for additional capacity in its metro network," said president and CEO of Meriton Mike Pascoe in a news release. "KT’s selection of our Agile Optical Network solution is a strong indicator of the market traction our proven solutions are enjoying among some of the largest network operators in the world." According to the 2005 OECD Broadband Statistics Report, Korea is the leading nation for broadband penetration and ranks third globally in broadband subscriptions. "When we talk to they’re not talking about delivering the odd few megabits to customers, they’re starting to talk about tens of megabits per customer symmetrically," Meriton’s director of product marketing Nick Cadwgan tells Network Letter. The I-WDM will allow KT to meet the growth in its optical network, including delivering key applications such as IPTV, online gaming and video on demand. Phase one of the deployment will consist of a multi-node metro network in Anyang Province, South Korea, with potential for other metro areas in the future. "Meriton’s AON architecture gives us the scalability and flexibility option we need to offer the most innovative services while continuing to meet our customers’ exacting reliability expectations and our own internal cost requirements," said Kim Yong Soo, assistant VP of the transmission department within KT’s network group, in a news release. Meriton bills its "future proof" architecture as the first unified, end-to-end AON solution that can grow and change along with a network operator’s business. "There is a definite architectural change needing to take place inside a lot of operators networks as they come to grips with delivering a large amount of services to a large amount of subscribers," continues Cadwgan, adding that the AON’s ability to do switching at the wavelength helps differentiate it from its competitors. Bell, Vidéotron making nice on Internet disputeBell Canada has asked the CRTC to suspend the process associated with a Part VII Application requesting Vidéotron Ltée to discontinue its current practice of requiring its cable telephony customers to stop using competitors’ high-speed Internet service. Bell is encouraged with the direction of discussions with Vidéotron and asked the commission to grant an additional 45 days for the companies to continue talking before Bell decides whether to proceed with its application or withdraw it. In-Stat: global broadband subscribers to double by 2010High-tech market research firm In-Stat reports that improvements in fixed wireless broadband, satellite broadband, and increased penetration of DSL and cable modem service will cause worldwide broadband subscribers to double to 413 million by the end of 2010. Other drivers include the proliferation of new applications that rely on high-speed Internet connections, reduction in monthly service prices, and bundling strategies. Other findings include: DSL is the leading broadband technology, accounting for 69% of all subscribers; 3.7 million new subscribers will sign up for broadband services each month this year worldwide, including 670,000 Americans monthly; and the total number of broadband subscribers passed 200 million in February of this year. Shift signs over 1,000 new subscribers in Q1Small-to-medium business Voice over IP provider Shift Networks Inc. signed more than 1,000 new subscribers in the first quarter of 2006 to a minimum 36-month service agreement. The Calgary-based company exceeded its Q1 target and booked more than $1 million in contracted revenues in a quarter for the first time. "We’ve also launched Shift in our third major western market, Vancouver," said Shift’s president and CEO Trent Johnsen in a news release. "Vancouver just opened in late March and over 10% of our new subscribers signed this quarter are Vancouver clients." Times Telecom enters VoIP market with prepaid serviceRichmond BC-based long-distance provider Times Telecom Inc. has launched voipRocks PC2Phone, its PC to phone VoIP service. The service enables users to make international prepaid calls from their PC to landline or cellular phones with pay-as-you-go packages for US$25-$200. Times’ software-based phone application allows anyone in the world to make prepaid calls on their PC as long as they have access to the Internet with a multimedia headset, a microphone and speakers, or a USB phone set. Prepaid users can make long-distance calls to more than 300 countries until they run out of minutes, negating the need for long-term contracts or bills. Times Telecom was founded in 1996 and owns networks in 16 cities across Canada. 180 Connect deploys fibre-to-the-home, pursues strategic alternatives180 Connect Inc. has initiated a fibre-to-the-home development for OntarioNet, a planned network for the New Model Colony, a new urban lifestyle community, in the city of Ontario, California. The network will provide community related services including traffic management, online civic services and educational services, and will include excess capacity for voice, video and Internet services to homes and businesses. 180 Connect also announced it has appointed a strategic planning committee as part of a process to maximize shareholder value. Said Peter Giacalone, president and CEO of 180 Connect in a news release: "We see the future demands for the company’s services continuing to expand at a rapid rate and while we have been successful in achieving many of our goals and positioning the company to become a dominant sector player, these efforts are not appropriately being valued by the public markets." Cygnal reports losses in 2005 year end resultsRevenues for Markham ON-based Cygnal Technologies Corp. came in at $125.8 million for 2005, down from $140.1 million in 2004, the company recently reported. However, Cygnal’s president and CEO Jos Wintermans said the difficulties are now largely in the past. "In spite of these difficulties our network operations revenue actually grew, and the revenue drop in our communications services division was the result of a decrease in a non-strategic, low margin part of its business," said Wintermans in a press release. "With renewed focus on execution and Cygnal’s existing core strengths and capabilities, I believe we are very well-positioned to capitalize on market opportunities in 2006." Telus offers IT solution for small businessesBusiness One from Telus Corp. is designed to serve the unique needs of small business customers and, as part of the Future Friendly Office, will help realize the full potential of IP technology in the office. "Most small business owners aren’t technology experts," said Tony Olvet, VP communications practice with IDC Canada, in a news release. "The communications providers who are successful in this market are those that can help small businesses develop a technology roadmap that is productive and affordable for them, bring a degree of expertise and service to the table that they find valuable and which frees them up to concentrate on running their business knowing that their telecommunications provider is supporting their goals." According to IDC’s 2005 SME Telecom Survey, small business spent over $4.3 billion on telecom services in 2005, up 1.1 percent over 2004. Business One includes telecommunications and high-speed Internet services packaged with business tools such as customized email, desktop backup, website hosting, virus protection and conferencing on demand.

NL Short Takes

News | 04/27/2006 4:00 am EDT

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