Les Rechan has been named COO of Cognos. Rechan most recently held the position of senior VP and global general manager, CRM strategy, at Oracle. He brings with him more than 20 years of industry experience including senior positions at Seibel Systems, and IBM. At Cognos, he will be responsible for leading the company’s worldwide sales, services and marketing operations. "Les has a superb track record and reputation in the enterprise software industry, including extensive experience with a broad range of enterprise applications serving large, global clients," said Cognos president and CEO Rob Ashe in a news release welcoming Rechan.

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Nortel networking technology being deployed in Australia
Silk Telecom, a telecommunications provider formed from the telecom interests of three Australian electricity distribution companies, is building an advanced optical network in Australia using high-capacity networking technology form Nortel Networks. The network will support high-speed services for Silk’s enterprise customers in regional Victoria and South Australia. The Nortel common photonic layer platform will provide the capacity for Ethernet, Internet and voice, and will ensure Silk has the additional bandwidth capacity to support new services down the road. "With its CPL platform, Nortel has provided us with the flexibility to do this cost-effectively, enabling us to balance the cost of transmission with the bandwidth we need for our regional customers," said Simon Perkins, CEO of Silk Telecom in a news release.

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Mitel Networks Inc. used its initial public offering (IPO) prospectus to point out that it has a good chance of succeeding as one of the prime contenders in the business IP communications marketplace. Filed on May 9, the IPO document highlights why Mitel’s management believes it will be a key player going forward.

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At two conferences over two days, Nortel Networks Corp.’s president and CEO Mike Zafirovski reiterated his vision for rebuilding the once-great telecommunications equipment maker by being relevant in both the carrier and enterprise space and staying the course he outlined earlier this year (NL, April 12/06).

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Carriers should avoid hanging their hopes for future prosperity on the impressive communications applications that IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technology is supposed to bring (see box), says one skeptical industry observer.

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Barrett Xplore Inc. (BXI) wants the federal Cabinet to stay parts of the CRTC’s controversial decision to allow incumbent telephone companies to use deferral account money to roll out high-speed networks. The Woodstock NB-based company says the commission’s determination to allow ILECs to use the funds to extend broadband into rural and remote regions will do more harm than good.

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Getting tough on crime is one of the new Conservative Party of Canada’s key priorities for this session of Parliament.With this in mind, the government has decided to get the ball rolling again on lawful access. Bill C-74 was introduced last fall, but died on the order table when Parliament was prorogued in November 2005.

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