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IN THIS ISSUE:
** Ottawa Tables Internet Wiretap Law ** Feds Propose Giving CRTC Fining Power ** High-Speed Mobile Data Expands ** MTS Offers $15 Long Distance ** Via Rail to Extend Onboard Wi-Fi ** PBX Sales--Who's on First? ** Rogers Fights New Brunswick over Right-of-Way Fees ** SBC Purchase of AT&T Gets Final OK ** Rogers Software Offers Electronic Clipboards ** Bell Reduces Western Staff ** RIM Says Patent Workaround Is Ready ** Rogers Cutting Off Usenet ** Cygnal Names New CEO ** New CEO at Minacs ** UBS Records Sales Growth============================================================
OTTAWA TABLES INTERNET WIRETAP LAW: A bill tabled by the federal government would require Internet Service providers to include interception capability (wiretap access) on new technology, and to give the names, addresses, and phone numbers of customers to law enforcement agencies on request.
** Bill C-74, the "Modernization of Investigative Techniques Act," received first reading in the House of Commons on November 15.FEDS PROPOSE GIVING CRTC FINING POWER: On November 13, Industry Minister David Emerson introduced Bill C-73 to amend the Telecom Act.
** The bill would authorize the CRTC to levy fines for violations of CRTC decisions or the Telecom Act--up to $15 million for carriers, and up to $50,000 for individuals.** It would allow the CRTC to share confidential information with the Competition Commissioner in certain circumstances.
HIGH-SPEED MOBILE DATA EXPANDS: Bell Mobility and Telus Mobility are playing leapfrog in deploying high-speed cellular data communications based on Evolution Data Optimized technology. This week, Telus announced EVDO availability in Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. And Bell, which announced EVDO a week earlier in Toronto and Montreal, this week added Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton to its serving areas.
MTS OFFERS $15 LONG DISTANCE: Manitoba Tel customers who subscribe to two or three of MTS TV, MTS High Speed Internet or MTS postpaid cellular can now add unlimited wireline long distance in Canada and the U.S. for $15 a month.
** The Manitoba telco says it now has 50,000 television subscribers in Winnipeg.VIA RAIL TO EXTEND ONBOARD WI-FI: Via Rail plans to offer Wi-Fi service to all customers on its trains and in 22 stations in the Windsor-Quebec corridor by November 2006, using technology installed by Parsons Corp. Partial service began in 2004. Price: $8.95/day or $46/month.
PBX SALES--WHO'S ON FIRST? Cisco says a new research report shows that it is now "the number one supplier in the global enterprise voice market including both Internet Protocol (IP) and traditional circuit-based systems." And Avaya says a new report shows that it is "the global market leader in Enterprise Internet Protocol Telephony Revenues and Port Shipments."
** Some readers may be surprised to learn that both claims are based on the same report, published this week by Synergy Research Group.ROGERS FIGHTS NEW BRUNSWICK OVER RIGHT-OF-WAY FEES: Rogers Communications has asked the CRTC to block the New Brunswick Dept. of Transportation from charging fees for Rogers' cables that are supported on Aliant and N.B. Power poles in DOT rights-of-way. The DOT claims the CRTC has no jurisdiction.
ROGERS SOFTWARE OFFERS ELECTRONIC CLIPBOARDS: Rogers Communications now offers mForms software that permits small business field staff to access work orders and other forms on wireless devices. Price: $125 per user per month.
SBC PURCHASE OF AT&T GETS FINAL OK: The California Public Utility Commission has approved SBC Communications' purchase of AT&T. This is the final approval needed for completion of the US$16 billion deal. It had already been approved in 36 other states and by two federal agencies.
** SBC has said it will change its name to AT&T when the acquisition is complete.BELL REDUCES WESTERN STAFF: Bell Canada has cut 100 jobs from its western Canadian operations, partly as a result of integrating
360networks, which it bought last year. (See Telecom Update #435)RIM SAYS PATENT WORKAROUND IS READY: Research In Motion says it has completed a BlackBerry software upgrade that would enable it to maintain service in the event that a U.S. court issues an injunction against BlackBerry sales in that country. (See Telecom Update #505)
** RIM has sued the maker of Cranberry business software for trademark infringement. Another RIM suit has convinced a New Jersey toymaker to rename handheld devices called StrawBerry, BlueBerry, etc.ROGERS CUTTING OFF USENET: Beginning December 15, Rogers High Speed Internet service will no longer include access to Usenet. The company says newsgroups, once the most popular medium for on-line chat and information sharing, have "largely been replaced by blogs, instant messaging, personal Web pages and other tools."
CYGNAL NAMES NEW CEO: Cygnal Technology has appointed Jos Wintermans as CEO. Wintermans, CEO of Rogers Cable in 1998-99, replaces Gerald Hurlow, who continues as Cygnal's Chairman.
NEW CEO AT MINACS: Bruce Simmonds, founder and former CEO of a major golf course company and former CFO of his family's Pickering-based electronics business, has been named CEO of call centre service bureau operator Minacs Worldwide. Founder Elaine Minacs will continue as Executive Chair.
UBS RECORDS SALES GROWTH: Unique Broadband Systems, which bought a majority interest in Look Communications last year, reports revenue for the year ended August 31 of $38 million, 17% more than the previous year. The net loss was reduced by two-thirds, to $4.3 million. (See Telecom Update #434)
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The information and data included has been obtained from sources which we believe to be reliable, but Angus TeleManagement makes no warranties or representations whatsoever regarding accuracy, completeness, or adequacy. Opinions expressed are based on interpretation of available information, and are subject to change. If expert advice on the subject matter is required, the services of a competent professional should be obtained.
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