NL Short Takes

Sprint Canada introduces new long distance planSprint Canada has introduced a new LD rate in Quebec and Ontario. Subscribers in those two provinces can call anywhere in Canada for 10 cents during peak times each weekday and five cents for evenings and weekends. Bell launches LD/Internet bundleBell has introduced a long distance/Internet bundle for users of its Sympatico High Speed Edition. For $44.95 per month, subscribers receive 120 minutes of LD minutes and dedicated unlimited Internet access. Bell moves into West CoastBell Intrigna has activated its fibre-optic network from Alberta to British Columbia in order to market its services to customers in Vancouver. Previously, the company had been reselling Telus LD service under its brand and leasing from other companies to provide Internet access. AT&T makes moves in Vancouver, TorontoAT&T Canada Inc has opened an Internet data centre in Vancouver and expanded the space in one of its centres in Toronto. The facilities are part of the company’s Internet Data Centres Services network, used for hosting business web sites or setting up operations for ASPs.SaskTel purchases telehealth companyProvincial telco SaskTel has bought the TeleHealth Services Division from Telerent of Canada Inc. The new unit will be run by SaskTel subsidiary Hospitality Network Canada Inc, which provides telephone and TV rental services to hospitals and video service to the hotel market in the province.Group Telecom buys Cable Atlantic unitToronto-based CLEC GT Group Telecom Inc has purchased the CLEC and commercial telecom business of Cable Atlantic Inc. Group Telecom will pay $15 million in cash, $40 million in property, plant and equipment with the rest of the $57-million deal consisting of 1.74 million non-voting shares.360networks buys optical switch for mesh networkVancouver-based fibre provider 360networks Inc has entered into an agreement with Syacmore Networks of Chelmsford MA for the purchase of an intelligent optical switch. The deal could be worth up to US$420 million. When the purchase is finished, 360networks will have a fully deployed optical mesh network.Total Telcom inks deal with ClearnetTotal Telcom Fiber Inc, a subsidiary of Edmonton’s Total Telcom Inc, has signed an agreement with Clearnet Communications Inc. The wireless company now has an indefeasible right of use for four fibre strands for the next decade. Total Telcom is building a fibre corridor from the Alberta capital to Fort St. John BC.Stream flows into greater Toronto areaStream Intelligent Networks Corp has signed two agreements with municipal governments in the Toronto area. The company and Hydro Mississauga will build a high-speed hybrid fibre optic and wireless network to provide data services to the city of Mississauga. It has also inked a municipal access agreement with the city of Toronto to use public road allowances to expand its fibre infrastructure in the Ontario capital.Bell wins contract at Health Canada, StatsCanThe federal government has awarded a $256,800-contract to Bell Canada Infopro for facility management services. The Ottawa firm will handle voice communications for Health Canada and Statistics Canada at the Tunney’s Pasture complex.Aliant merges two subsidiariesAtlantic ILEC Aliant Inc has combined its two IT companies into one. MITI Information Technology Inc is joining with xwave solutions to form a new firm called xwave. The merger becomes effective August 1.Rhythms moves into Montreal, inks deal with InterJonctionRhythms Canada Inc is now making its DSL service available in Montreal. The company has partnered with ISP InterJonction to make its service more accessible.The Rock needs to rollout more fibreNewTel, which serves Newfoundland and Labrador, is being pressured to improve its coverage. Some small communities have complained about overloaded or non-existent lines and the RCMP has filed a complaint with the CRTC over sporadic service in parts of the province.Golden Sky signs call centre deal in CaribbeanGold-Tech/GT-CTI, a subsidiary of Montreal’s Golden Sky Ventures International Inc, has entered into an agreement with Atlantic Tele-Network Inc to install and configure a call centre in Guyana. The initial phase will bring $1 million to Gold Tech’s coffers, with an additional $6 million expected over the next two years.We usually hang up on folks from Revenue CanadaThe Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is warning about telemarketing fraud. Con artists have been telling consumers they have won $250,000 in an American lottery and must pay a three per cent tax to collect the loot. The tax department advises hanging up on the callers.Norigen completes another financing roundToronto-based CLEC Norigen Communications Group Inc has raised $60 million through another financing round. Among those taking part are MWI & Partners, BMO Nesbitt Burns Equity Partners, OMERS and the Bank of Nova Scotia.Nortel makes sale to France, AustraliaNortel Networks of Brampton ON has sold its Optical Internet solution to France Telecom. The French telco will conduct a two-month trial with deployment expected to follow in September. The company is selling its New Generation Telephony service to the Australian incumbent Telstra, in a US$100-million deal.Highpoint Telecom ventures into EuropeVancouver’s Highpoint Telecommunications Inc has entered into a stock swap agreement with Kast Telecom Europe. The company has transferred its 100 per cent stake in Axxon Holding Co for a 45 per cent share of Kast Europe. Bell Canada opts for Olympic rings signalBell Canada has signed on as a corporate sponsor for the Toronto bid for the 2008 Olympic Games. If the Ontario city wins the summer games, the telco will support it through the provision of cash and services.Phone book error upsets MuslimsA Vancouver restaurateur says a printing mistake in the Telus phone directory could lead to Islamic Canadians violating their dietary laws. Mohammad Arshid prepares meals under the halal regime dictated by the Koran. But for two years Telus has listed his restaurant at its old address, leading visiting Muslims to another eatery that does not follow Islamic custom. The telco is looking into the situation.

NL Short Takes

News | July 16, 2000

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