NL Short Takes

CRTC releases cost of telecom regulationThe CRTC has announced that it will collect more than $26 million in fees to regulate the telecommunications industry in Canada for the fiscal year 2006-2007. Estimated regulatory costs are expected be $25.435 million, but an adjustment of $1.196 million for last fiscal year brings the total telecom regulatory costs to $26.631 million. Rogers Telecom gets good and bad news from commissionThe CRTC has approved a Rogers Telecom request that it mandate Bell Canada to revise the rate charged for billed number screening (BNS) database service for additions, removals and changes in billing restrictions of numbers and the porting of numbers. However, the commission denied a Rogers’ request that it mandate Bell from charging BNS database service transaction charges for each telephone number that Rogers ports. Telecom Decision 2006-24 stems from a Rogers Telecom (formerly known as Call-Net Enterprises Inc.) application filed on March 14, 2005. Bell Canada argued in its application that BNS database service should be re-classified as a near-essential service because alternatives exist. In its decision the CRTC noted that Telus Corp. offered a similar service, but that it was priced the same and concluded that BNS database service should remain an essential service. The commission indicated, however, that there are costs associated with porting numbers and therefore concluded that it would be appropriate for Bell to continue charging Rogers for each number ported. Persona’s third-party Internet access tariffs approvedThe CRTC has approved on an interim basis in Telecom Decision 2006-36 third-party Internet access tariffs for Persona Communications Corp. However, "the application of this tariff is suspended temporarily with respect to Internet service providers currently connected to Persona’s network pending disposition of various issues identified in this decision." The commission noted in its decision that the new third-party Internet access tariffs introduce significant cost implications for ISPs that already have arrangements with Persona. It is for this reason the implementation of the new tariffs will be suspended until these matters are dealt with. Three Ontario research groups join forcesCommunitech, the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) and the MaRS Discovery District announced last week that they will be collaborating to help the province of Ontario compete more effectively against markets such as India and China. The partnership of the three organizations will operate under the MaRS brand and aims to transfer best practices and contacts with each leveraging specific strength in their particular regions of operation. Communitech is an association representing technology companies in the Waterloo region. OCRI is an economic development engineer in the Nation’s Capital. MaRS is not-for-profit group which helps organizations commercial scientific and technological research. Open Text tops market share list in content managementOpen Text Corp. has announced that a recently published study from Gartner Inc. puts the company at the top of the list in terms of market share for enterprise content management software. According to the report, Open Text holds 13.2% market share among the top 11 vendors and a large group of smaller vendors. The study also noted that 51% of the enterprise content management market is held by four companies, and Open Text is one of them. "The trends cited in the study are in line with our strategic direction," executive VP of products, solutions and markets at Open Text Kirk Roberts said in a news release. "Today, we are focused on providing line-of-business and vertical-market ECM solutions that address customers’ increasingly complex process and compliance requirements." Aastra exits digital video businessAastra Technologies Ltd., a provider of business communications systems, has announced the completion of a previously declared sale of its digital video business. On May 31, the Toronto-based company completed the sale of Aastra Digital Video to Harris Corp. for $39 million. McAfee prepping new security platformMcAfee Inc. will soon introduce a new fully integrated consumer security service platform. Code-named Falcon, the platform promises to deliver complete protection with a next-generation of anti-virus, anti-spyware and breakthrough threat watch technologies. "The service, which has been under stealth development for more than 12 months, will debut this summer, and provide consumers with a choice of comprehensive protection service packages," reads a news release. The company touts a couple of the product’s new capabilities, including "set it and forget it" protection and one-click security management services. EXFO debuts new VoIP/DSL test setEXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. has announced the introduction of an enhanced version of its CoVALT handheld, battery-powered testing system, which supports installation and maintenance applications on copper-based, triple-play broadband access networks. "With large scale deployments of VoIP and DSL becoming a reality among telecom service providers, the CoVALT is a vital tool for rapid installation and efficient troubleshooting of these services," reads a news release. "This rugged and highly ergonomic test solutionsacts as a golden modem for confirming the rates and other measured parameters provided by ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+ and reach extended (RE) ADSL. It also performs functional testing and quality-of-service testing for Voice over Internet Protocol and Internet services." Vonage and D-Link release phone adapterVonage Canada and D-Link have announced that the two companies are introducing the D-Link VTA telephone adapter that comes configured with Vonage’s IP telephony service. The VTA adapter is a small and portable device that supports up to two telephone lines – one for the phone and the other for the fax. Vonage is currently offering the device for free online (www.vonage.ca) after a $54.99 instant rebate. Nortel targets small and medium service providersNortel Networks Corp. has unveiled its Communications Server 15 (CS 1500), a second-generation VoIP softswitch that allows small and medium-sized communications service providers to meet a growing demand for newer IP-based communications. "It also positions greenfield service providers to offer advanced services and lays the foundation for future IMS-based multimedia services offering unprecedented levels of personalization, security and mobility," reads a news release. The CS 1500 is slated for field trials beginning in the fourth quarter of 2006 with general availability in selected markets scheduled for the first quarter of 2007. Emergis makes acquisition in OntarioEmergis Inc. has acquired the pharmacy management systems business of FrontLine Solutions Inc. for approximately $4 million. The acquisition allows Emergis to expand its presence in Ontario and it now serves about 29,000 pharmacies or approximately 40% of all pharmacies in Canada. Pharmacy management systems automate the prescription fulfillment process and provide an integrated point of service for in-store operations. In other Emergis news, the company has announced that it is developing an integrated multi-benefit claims management system for insurance companies. Under the new system, the company will add electronic dental and extended health claims adjudication to its current dental and drug claims transport and drug claims adjudication services. Total Telcom releases Q1 financial resultsTotal Telcom Inc. has released its financial results for the third quarter of 2006. For the period ended March 31, 2006, the company posted revenue from continuing operations of nearly $105,000 compared to slightly more than $180,000 in last year’s third quarter. Total Telcom had cash on hand in the amount of $3,927,850 and working capital of $5,422,677 at the end of the quarter.

NL Short Takes

News | 06/08/2006 4:00 am EDT

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