NL Short Takes

BCI sells Korean wireless unitBell Canada International has sold its 21 per cent stake in Hansol M.com, a wireless provider in Korea. The total value of the sale is $1.47 billion in cash, notes and shares of SK Telecom. Read more about BCI’s strategy on page 6 of this issue of Network Letter. CRTC nominated foradministrative honoursThe CRTC’s CISC organization has been nominated for an innovative management award handed out by the Institute of Public Administration Canada. It is one of three finalists from 108 entries at the federal, provincial and municipal levels. The winner will be announced at the IPAC conference in Ottawa on August 30. Telus denied payphone promotion by CRTCIn Orders 2000-678 and 2000-679, the CRTC has turned down applications from Telus Communications Inc and Telus Communications (BC) Inc for a payphone promotion for small business. The telcos wanted to provide $20 payphone cards to current small business customers who use the ILEC as their carrier. Canada Payphone Corp complained the promotions are similar to previous deals and would therefore be uncompetitive. CRTC approves costs, with reservationsTelus has been ordered to pay Tatlayoko Think Tank $11,941.20 in costs for its participation in regional hearings in Prince George BC. Costs for participating in the final hearing were dismissed. Vidéotron extends phone service to two communitiesVidéotron Business Network is now offering local phone service to companies in Saint-Lambert and Saint-Hubert QC. It is currently operating in 11 centres and expects to be in 16 more within the next two years.Telus signs Internet agreement with StepcastTelus Advanced Communications has inked a deal with Vancouver’s Stepcast Interactive Ventures Inc. Stepcast’s open registry model will be integrated across the Telus portal MyBC.com. PMC-Sierra introduces three new chipsPMC-Sierra Inc of Burnaby BC has developed three new broadband communication devices, which can provide physical layer processing for next generation access and metro-based equipment. The chips can be used in DSLAMs, CPE-based routers, access multiplexers and wireless base stations. Updated 800 cost studies ordered by CRTCFollowing a complaint by AT&T Canada, the CRTC has ordered incumbent carriers to file a new cost study of the current 800 database query charges. Telecom Order 2000-683 also makes the present charges interim. Locus improves speech recognition toolMontreal voice recognition company Locus Dialogue Inc has introduced new features to its SoftDialogue application. It has improved the graphical environment, the gender identification and the grammar library. Wi-LAN provides Internet access to Ontario townWi-LAN Inc of Calgary is launching its high speed Internet access in the Ontario community of Midland. It is developing the service in conjunction with Community-One LAN Solutions, a subsidiary of Midland Power Utility Corp. Fibre builds will only grow, studies showSubscriptions to broadband services will increase six fold in the next five years, a study by Allied Business Intelligence Inc forecasts. A report by KMI Corp of Newport RI says worldwide installation of fibre optic cable grew 39 per cent last year and predicts US$2.6 billion will be spent in the next two years. Telecom tech developer snapped up by ZiCalgary’s Zi Corp has purchased the Telecom Technology Centre from the Hong Kong Productivity Council. The telecom technology and engineering firm was sold for US$3.2 million. Fake phone invoices fool businessesThe Competition Bureau is investigating a series of complaints about yellowbusinessdirectory.com, a Toronto-based firm that has been sending out invoices reminiscent of Bell Canada phone bills. The company charges $25.52 for an Internet listing service. Similar protests were lodged about a predecessor firm, yellowbusinesspages.com. Nortel moves into wireless Internet in AustraliaNortel Networks Corp of Brampton ON has joined up with Australian telco Telstra to provide 144 kbps wireless Internet service. The high speed data trials were conducted throughout the island continent. It’s enough to drive you to drinkBell Canada misprinted the phone number of the Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment’s toll-free line. Callers to the substance abuse helpline will hear an intercept message that directs them to call 1-800-565-8603, the correct number. 360networks begins move into South AmericaBroadband builder 360networks Inc has begun its foray into the South American marketplace. It is constructing a 28,000-km network from Bermuda to Fortaleza, Brazil. The move is being done by the company’s subsidiary 360americas, formerly GlobeNet Communications Group’s Atlantica-1. Shaw launches new backbone divisionShaw Communications Inc has formed Big Pipe Inc to provide a national fibre backbone for Internet services. The new firm will be based in Calgary and operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Shaw Ventures Inc. Summertime and the living is easyThis will be the last full edition of Network Letter until the holidays are over. Electronic subscribers will receive updates on August 14 and August 21. Our next complete issue will be August 28.

NL Short Takes

News | July 31, 2000

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