AT&T Inc. plans a new Internet data centre in Canada to boost hosting capacity. Part of a US$750 million global investment program, the data centre will support managed services based on the application software management assets of USinternetworking, which AT&T recently acquired. AT&T also plans to enhance its VPN portfolio with global remote monitoring, and extend its IP network infrastructure in Canada, France, Germany and the UK.

Yahoo! Canada and Universal Music Canada recently launched an online-based music competition for bands, performers and independent artists, which will run until April 10. Contenders must upload videos or footage from a performance into the Up Yours microsite at www.upyourmusic.yahoo.ca, at which point Yahoo! users can vote for their favourite video. "Discovering Canadian musical talent is the essence of our industry and to diversify the process with partners Yahoo! and the Up Yours campaign is the most exciting of endeavours," said Randy Lennox, the president and CEO of Universal Music Canada. The grand prize includes $10,000, 30 hours of studio time at Metal Works in Toronto, a Metal Works scholarship, music gear, and the chance of being signed with Universal Music Canada.

Tranzeo Wireless Technologies Inc., the Pitt Meadows BC-based producer of high-speed wireless broadband communication systems, has reported a 25% increase in annual revenue for 2006. Sales increased to 18.1 million from $14.6 in the previous year. The company's net income also soared in 2006, jumping 66% to $1.55 million from $0.9 million in 2005. "We have continued the trend of significantly improving our sales volume, customer base, gross profit and net earnings from the previous year," said president and CEO Jim Tocher.

Telus TV, the BC-based telco's IPTV service, has signed an agreement with Broadbandtv Corp. to offer the former's customers with a wider selection of online shows and videos to watch on demand. "[Broadbandtv's] service will bring our customers popular programming on-demand, so they can choose when to watch it rather than having to tune into their program at a scheduled time," said Fred Di Blasio, Telus ' VP of content. "That creates powerful choice in the TV programming and movies consumers bring into their homes." Telus TV is currently available in select neighbourhoods of Calgary, Edmonton and BC's Lower Mainland, with further expansion planned.

Nortel Government Solutions, the US-based company owned by Nortel Networks, has announced that it will assist Native American Industrial Distributors Inc. (NAID) in its efforts to win worldwide IT solutions procurements for the US federal government agencies. "Companies like NAID play an important role in providing services and technology to federal agencies," said Chuck Saffell, the CEO of Nortel Government Solutions. "We offer them the additional depth and breadth of services and solutions they need to win federal IT services procurements."

A joint venture between Nortel Networks and LG Electronics, which has been named LG-Nortel, is assisting SK Telecom in its delivery of new wireless services such as wireless Internet, 3D gaming, digital home services and telematics. "SK Telecom's enhanced wireless capabilities lay the foundation for their customers to enjoy next-generation services," said LG-Nortel chairman Peter MacKinnon. The solution will handle increased wireless traffic while improving network cost-effectiveness, scalability and reliability. The rollout of the new infrastructure will enhance SK Telecom's position as Korea's largest wireless communications operator.

BTI Photonic Systems, the Ottawa-based supplier of microWDM networking solutions for the delivery of gigabit services, recently announced that its optical networking platform, Netstender, has been selected by Vtesse Networks to extend the capacity and reach of the backbone network. Vtesse's network will then be able to deliver Gigabit Ethernet connectivity to the UK's largest financial institutions. "BTI's microWDM was the most cost-effective solution that met the stringent requirements and provided full management visibility of all key optical functions on this mission critical network," said Alan Mitchell, the CTO of Vtesse Networks.