NL Short Takes

Nortel renames PEC SolutionsTo better reflect its goal of delivering "mission-critical systems and secure communications that empower government to secure the livelihood and well-being of its citizens," Nortel PEC Solutions has been renamed Nortel Government Solutions Inc. "The change is in name only," said Chuck Saffell, president and CEO, in a news release. "Our government customers will continue to receive the same high level of services and high-quality technologies from Nortel Government Solutions as they have enjoyed with Nortel PEC Solutions." Since being acquired by Nortel in mid-2005, the Fairfax VA-based PEC Solutions has been employed in projects by NASA, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the US Postal Service. Yak launches unlimited calling for $24.99/monthYak Communications Inc. announced the launch of its yakUnlimited Calling Plan, giving subscribers unlimited outbound and inbound calling for $24.99 per month. The service joins yakForFree peer-to-peer Virtual VideoPhone and yakToAnyone PC-to-PSTN Calling to round out Yak WorldCity VoIP’s diverse product roster. "Our marketing efforts are planned to increase over the next few months and now, with our Unlimited product offering available, we believe the value proposition to our consumer is really attractive," Yak’s CEO Charles Zwebner said in a news release. Shift Networks reaches 2005 subscription targetCalgary-based VoIP provider Shift Networks Inc. achieved its 2005 goal of 2,000 subscribers, increasing recurring contracted revenues by over 500%. The company offers IP communications services to small and medium-sized businesses, signing them to a minimum 36-month contract and providing phones, IP gateways, installation and training services. "Clients are extremely pleased with Shift’s services and no longer have to rely on telephone companies to manage their business communications," Shift’s president and CEO, Trent Johnsen, said in a news release. "Our recent fully subscribed financing provides additional working capital that will be used for sales and marketing, opening new markets, and additional managed service offerings to continue to accelerate Shift’s growth." Telus extends IT services deal with Finning InternationalTelus Corp. will continue to provide information technology services to Finning International, one of the world’s largest Caterpillar heavy equipment dealers. The six-year, $39.5 million deal covers all day-to-day IT issues at Finning’s business operations in Canada and the United Kingdom, with Telus International handling the UK component. Telus has been Finning’s IT service provider in Canada since 1999 and in the UK since 2003. "With measurable results around service levels, Finning has Telus’ expert, consistent IT service and access to Internet Protocol innovations that support their growth strategy," said Joe Natale, president Telus Business Solutions and Telus International, in a news release. Vancouver-based Finning reported $4.16-billion in revenue last year. B2B2C acquires Abacom Internet ServicesMontreal-based B2B2C Inc. reinforced its presence in Quebec’s Eastern Townships by acquiring Abacom Internet services, the largest independent ISP in metropolitan Sherbrooke. The acquisition gives B2B2C almost 8,000 new clients, who will still be served by Abacom acting as a subsidiary of B2B2C. Abacom’s president, Alain Parsons, will stay on to manage the subsidiary, and the company will maintain its office in Sherbrooke. B2B2C’s president, Gilles Pichette, said in a news release that the purchase is indicative of his company’s plans for expansion throughout Quebec and Ontario. CRTC revokes 39 basic international telecommunications licencesCiting a failure to comply with their conditions of licence, the CRTC revoked the basic international telecommunications services (BITS) licenses of 39 telecommunications companies. Specifically, the licensees failed to obey the filing requirements of the CRTC, even after the commission issued a notice to revoke their licence. The commission also noted that any person or corporation found guilty of providing BITS without a license could face fines beginning at $50,000. Vonage Canada expands virtual number offering to Western EuropeThe expansion of Vonage Canada’s virtual number offerings to 27 European cities continues the assault of VoIP on traditional long-distance. "Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world so being able to give Canadians a means to stay in touch with friends and family in Western Europe is something we take great satisfaction in," said Patti Jordan, Vonage’s director of marketing and communications in a news release. For $11.99 a month, Vonage offers a virtual number in any one of two cities in Austria, 11 in France, one in the Republic of Ireland, six in Italy or seven in Spain. The new numbers, which allow incoming calls only and ring to the customer’s primary Vonage line, add to those already offered by Vonage throughout North America and the United Kingdom. VoIP business users satisfied with service, In-Stat reportsHigh-tech market research firm In-Stat reports that VoIP business subscribers are "highly satisfied" with their services and would recommend it to business associates. The technology’s features and functionality are adding value to VoIP offerings and not just in the long distance savings. Among the findings: business users are likely to use residential services and personal VoIP accounts; users quickly adapt to get the greatest cost savings and communications control offered from the service; and home office and small business customers are more likely to take advantage of VoIP features than mid-sized and enterprise customers. The analysis also states that the services most threatened by VoIP are secondary voice lines and long-distance charges, not primary voice lines. EXFO completes purchase of ConsultronicsMonths ahead of schedule, EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. completed its acquisition of test equipment supplier Consultronics. "The close was scheduled to occur before mid-March, so I’m pleased that both teams worked together remarkably well to accelerate the process and create a solid integration plan that leverages sales and product syngergies," said Germain Lamonde, EXFO’s chairman, president and CEO in a news release. In the all-cash transaction, EXFO acquires virtually all the assets of Consultronics, including its subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Hungary. 180 Connect launches Network Services180 Connect has expanded its service offerings with the founding of 180 Network Services. The new division "provides an integrated, single-source solution for fibre to the home networks for developers, municipalities, commercial ventures and utilities" reads a news release. The services offered run from network design, integration and installation through to maintenance, project managing, network monitoring and technical support. Said 180 Connect’s president and CEO, Peter Giacalone: "The establishment of 180 Network Services with a proven and highly successful team of industry professionals represents further opportunity to provide our customers with a total integration solution or one source for all their technical support service needs.180 Connect is uniquely positioned to participate in the diverse and rapidly expanding digital communication and multimedia market."

NL Short Takes

News | February 2, 2006

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