NL Short Takes

Data services overtake LD at AT&T CanadaThe provision of local, data, Internet and similar services now makes up 59% of the revenue base for AT&T Canada Corp., a jump from 54% last year at this time. In releasing its Q3 numbers, the telco said revenues from long distance were down to 41% from 46% a year earlier. UBS disputes Dolgonos’ version of eventsUnique Broadband Systems Inc. is disputing a news release issued by a group of shareholders linked to deposed boss Alex Dolgonos. The courts have not prevented the company from acting without seeking judicial consent, UBS states, and a so-called "independent" slate of directors was found by the judge to be closely allied with Dolgonos. Linmor cuts jobs, executive salariesOttawa’s Linmor Inc. has eliminated 30% of its workforce in a move to slash costs by $2 million. In a related move, executives with the software developer are deferring half their salaries, to be made up if the firm reaches its revenue objectives. Amtelecom delays shareholder meeting on sale to RegionalAmtelecom Group Inc. of Aylmer ON has postponed a Nov. 28 shareholders meeting to discuss the sale of its communications business to Regional Cablesystems Inc. of St. John’s NF. Amtelecom indicates that final touches must be made to the agreement before it can hold the shareholders session. CRTC seeks input on WSPs as CLECsThe CRTC has issued PN 2001-110, on conditions of service for wireless operators acting as CLECs. The commission has also released a list of consensus reports from the CISC process and is considering an application for relief from Alberta ISP Edsonet against Telus Corp. over Internet pricing. Telus forms digital trust unit with Canadian bankTelus Corp. has joined with the CIBC to form an ecom digital trust services provider. The new division will market VeriSign Inc.’s PKI products. Customs links Internet registration with provincesCanada Customs and Revenue Agency has created www.businessregistration.gc.ca, which will permit companies to register with the federal outfit, the Nova Scotia Business Registry and Ontario Business Connects. The CCRA hopes to add agencies from other provinces to the system soon. MTS, SaskTel proceeding with high-speed rolloutManitoba Telecom Services Inc. is ahead of projections in its rollout of high-speed Internet services. The company has recently brought high-speed to the communities of Niverville, Fisher River, Vidir, and Arborg. Next door, provincial telco SaskTel is rolling out high-speed lines in Lumsden and Maple Creek. BCE pushes convergence with ComboBoxBell Canada Enterprises is in the final stages of development of its ComboBox product, which will allow users to explore Internet portals, use email, play games and surf the web through a TV, remote control and wireless keypad. The product has been created by BCE and ExtendMedia. AOL Canada targets francophone marketAOL Canada Inc. has finally begun advertising for French-speaking customers. It has launched a three-part television campaign using popular Quebec actress Pascale Montpetit as its spokeswoman. Travelocity wishes ‘Bon Voyage’ to travellersOnline travel company Travelocity.ca is introducing Travelocity.ca en français. Clients will be able to plan and purchase air, car, hotel, rail and vacation services in French. Telus always gets its government contractTelus Communications Inc. has won a $385,200 contract from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for internetworking services. The five-year deal will see the telco provide support to seven Mountie offices in the Surrey region. Carp now online thanks to DiefenbunkerStorm Internet Services of Ottawa is expanding its high-speed service to the village of Carp near Ottawa. The ISP, a division of International Datacasting Corp., is using the on-site tower provided by the Cold War Museum, popularly known as the "Diefenbunker". Delays for Ontario rollout of 211 serviceThe City of Ottawa council has deferred funding a 211 information line until the 2002 budget. Officials in the City of Kingston are aiming at having their system operational by 2004. The CRTC gave Toronto approval to launch a service this summer (NL, Sept. 11/01). Telcos make Top 100 Employers listA new survey published in Maclean’s magazine listed Canada’s Top 100 Employers. Among those making the grade are Telus Corp., SaskTel, Exfo Electro-Optical Engineering Inc., and Maclean’s parent company Rogers Communications Inc. Charges laid against Montreal telemarketersThe Competition Bureau has laid seven criminal charges against Tamec Inc. of Montreal and its subsidiaries Commercial Information Bank of Canada and Deev Inc. Authorities claim the telemarketing firm misrepresented the purpose of its calls and provided false data to customers. Telcos select artwork for directory coversTwo telcos have chosen the paintings to adorn the covers of their new directories. Telus Québec is using Baie-Saint-Paul by Gilles Bédard, while Northwestel is featuring Pamela Jean Gray’s Just Before the Storm on its Northwest Territories book and Yukon Wild by Jane Issakson on its Yukon/Northern B.C. directory. Maybe she could start listing herself as "Stu Pid"A woman in Grenada CA is considering changing her phony directory listing. She had been employing the nom de phone "Ann Thrax" for 20 years, but the bacteria scare is giving her second thoughts.

NL Short Takes

News | November 6, 2001

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