Telecom Update #525, April 13, 2006

************************************************************ TELECOM UPDATE ************************************************************ published weekly by Angus TeleManagement Group Number 525: April 13, 2006

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IN THIS ISSUE:

** Mobile Internet TV Exempted from Regulation ** SaskTel to Swallow Navigata ** Videotron Offers Cable Phones to Small Businesses ** Public Hearing on Do-Not-Call Regime Set ** Telus Offers "Mike" BlackBerry ** Iceland Tops Broadband Penetration Stats ** Telus Buys IT Security Provider ** 724 Solutions Agrees to Venture Takeover ** Nortel Names Services Chief ** ITU Seeks Standards for IP Television ** Rogers Cellphones Add Info Service ** Cogeco Sales, Profits Rise ** Nominations Open for Woman High-Tech Entrepreneur ** NetworkWorld Meets in Toronto

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MOBILE INTERNET TV EXEMPTED FROM REGULATION: In Broadcasting Public Notice 2006-47, the CRTC rules that mobile TV services offered by Telus, Bell Mobility, and Rogers Wireless in conjunction with MobiTV Inc. are exempt from broadcast regulation because they are delivered and accessed over the Internet, and thus fall under the New Media Exemption Order of 1999 (Public Notice 1999-197).

** CRTC Broadcasting Public Notice 2006-48 invites comment on a proposed order exempting from regulation all TV broadcasting delivered and accessed through mobile devices. Comments are due by May 12.

SASKTEL TO SWALLOW NAVIGATA: SaskTel plans to absorb its money-losing Navigata subsidiary and evolve it into "a 100%-owned sales channel, based in North Vancouver." Once a long distance carrier owned by BC Rail, Navigata currently offers business telecom services and residential VoIP services in B.C., Alberta, and Ontario. (See Telecom Update #120, 469)

** SaskTel reports 2005 revenues of $982 million, a 5.4% increase from the previous year. Profits fell 32% to $94.5 million. The telco says it now provides high-speed Internet to "virtually every" community of 200 people or more.

VIDEOTRON OFFERS CABLE PHONES TO SMALL BUSINESSES: Videotron Business Solutions is now offering one or two business lines at $29.95 per line per month to small businesses in the Montreal region. The service will ultimately extend across Quebec and expand to 12 lines per business. Long distance calls between subscribers are free.

PUBLIC HEARING ON DO-NOT-CALL REGIME SET: The CRTC will hold a public consultation in Gatineau May 2-5, to examine how Canada's do-not-call regime should operate. (See Telecom Update #508, 518).

** Over three dozen parties have submitted written comments in this proceeding.

TELUS OFFERS "MIKE" BLACKBERRY: Telus has introduced the BlackBerry

7100i, combining BlackBerry's email, phone, and data functions with Telus's Push-to-Talk "Mike" service.

ICELAND TOPS BROADBAND PENETRATION STATS: In December 2005, Iceland had 26.7 broadband Internet connections for every 100 inhabitants, placing at the top of the latest OECD survey of broadband use. Canada had 21.9, making it ninth in the world, but well ahead of all other G7 nations. The U.S. places 12th, with 16.8 connections per 100 people.

** Worldwide, 61% of broadband connections use DSL, 31% use cable modems, and 7% use "other."

TELUS BUYS IT SECURITY PROVIDER: Telus has acquired Assurent Secure Technologies, a Toronto-based provider of IT security services, for an undisclosed price. Assurent has 55 employees and 90 business customers.

724 SOLUTIONS AGREES TO VENTURE TAKEOVER: 724 Solutions, which provides software for mobile access to financial services, has agreed on terms for the purchase by Texas-based Austin Ventures of all 724 shares that Austin doesn't already own. (See Telecom Update #426)

NORTEL NAMES SERVICES CHIEF: Nortel Networks has named Dietmar Wendt, a former IBM vice-president, to head its services division, which has

11,000 employees.

ITU SEEKS STANDARDS FOR IP TELEVISION: The International Telecommunications Union has created a Focus Group on IPTV to "push forward and coordinate global standardization efforts" in IPTV. The group's first meeting will be held in June.

ROGERS CELLPHONES ADD INFO SERVICE: Rogers Wireless customers can now access directory assistance, flight times, and other information services on their cellphones using the AskMeNow platform. Users pay 75 cents per inquiry.

COGECO SALES, PROFITS RISE: Cogeco Cable reports revenue of $147.8 million for the quarter ended February 28, a 6.8% increase over the preceding year. Net income rose 82% to $10.2 million. Subscriber gains: basic service, 3,505; Internet, 17,460; cable phones, 9,597.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR WOMAN HIGH-TECH ENTREPRENEUR: The Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance is calling for nominations for the Sara Kirke Award for Canada's leading woman high-tech entrepreneur. Deadline for submissions: May 1, 2006.

NETWORKWORLD MEETS IN TORONTO: The LinuxWorld and NetworkWorld Conference and Expo will be held in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre April 24-26.

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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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