Canada must remove all restrictions on foreign ownership in telecom sector: MPs

telecom | 05/06/2003 4:00 am EDT

After several months of study, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology released its final report on foreign investment in the telecommunications field. The conclusion to its report is featured here. The full document is available here.  In reviewing Canada’s foreign ownership...

NL Editorial

telecom | 05/06/2003 4:00 am EDT

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.The members of the House of Commons Industry committee are to be congratulated for their diligent work in a short time examining the foreign ownership restrictions. Those of us in Ottawa are used to dithering and waffling from politicians; this crew took its job seriously and made bold suggestions for...

RoW Update

telecom | 05/05/2003 4:00 am EDT

Rogers Wireless introduces new “no worries” planRogers Wireless Inc. will offer new subscribers three months of calling at a flat rate for all types of calls while it tracks users’ calling patterns. Following the three-month period, the wireless carrier will then recommend the most appropriate package for that customer, hopefully mitigating customer uncertainty over which plan to buy. “Choosing a wireless airtime...

More efficient and powerful batteries funded by Canadian government’s TPC

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

A Mississauga ON-based firm is parlaying its experience in developing highly efficient and long-lasting rechargeable batteries for the laptop computer market to produce similar battery technology for the handheld wireless device market. Electrovaya Inc. has embarked on a five-year $33-million program to develop lithium ion...

Microcell loses unjust discriminatory marketing case before CRTC

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

Microcell Telecommunications Inc. has suffered a defeat in its battle with Rogers Wireless Inc. (RWI) and Bell Mobility over unfair and unjust discriminatory marketing practices. On April 28, the CRTC denied the struggling wireless operator’s application seeking a cease and desist order for its two rivals’ activities (Telecom Decision 2003-26). The case stems from a Part VII application Microcell filed in August 2002 alleging that the two larger competitors were luring its customers away in an unjust discriminatory manner (RoW, Sept. 16/02). The commission ruled that Rogers Wireless and Bell Mobility did target Microcell’s post-paid customers in a discriminatory manner, but that the discrimination was not unjust under section 27(2) of the Telecommunications Act. It determined...

RoW Short Takes

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

Mitec Telecom sells subsidiary in ThailandMitec Telecom Inc. continues to restructure operations with the goal of focusing on core activities as the Montreal-based equipment maker recently announced the sale of its Thailand subsidiary. Mitec has agreed to sell Microwave Technology Co. to the Thai management team for $1.5 million. Half of the settlement is due upon the closing of the transaction. The sale is expected to...

RoW People

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

Carmen Lloyd, president and CEO of Stratos Global Corp., has announced that he will retire from his position later this year. During the transition period and the search for a new chief executive, Stratos’ COO Jim Parm will take on greater day-to-day operational responsibilities. Lloyd, who will remain with the company until the board has completed the succession process, led Stratos through a challenging time where the...

International wireless industry leaders to gather in Calgary to explore future

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

Wireless industry leaders from around the world are gathering in Calgary next month at Wireless Connections 2003 to discuss the current state and the future of the wireless communications industry in Canada and globally. Issues to be discussed include the role of content in mobile wireless operators’ strategies, the...

RoW International Short Takes

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

FCC introduces new satellite licensing processThe U.S. Federal Communications Commission has unveiled a new streamlined satellite licensing process, which is designed to speed up the approval, launching and operation of satellites. Last February, the FCC undertook a consultation to review its past procedures with the goal of making the satellite...

CWTA raises concerns about tower review process to strike balance between sides

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

Canada’s wireless industry is generally pleased with the process that has been proposed to review the current antenna tower policy, but it does have some concerns about the ability of the review committee to strike an appropriate balance between real and perceived problems. The April 15 issue of Report on Wireless...

RoW Editorial

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. The old Kenny Rogers song The Gambler has a line in it that goes "You’ve got to know when to hold’em." That’s the current situation with Canada’s venture capital community. There isn’t much out there to bet on, so they’re stand-ing pat until the cards get a little better....

Department adds more fixed wireless spectrum, auction policy coming soon

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

Industry Canada will release its auction policy framework later this year for the 3500 MHz band, but as an interim measure the department has opened up an additional 25 MHz of spectrum for fixed wireless access (FWA) services operating in that band. With the release of Gazette Notice DGTP-06-03 earlier this month, there is...

Industry Canada allocates additional licence-exempt spectrum in 24 GHz band

telecom | 04/29/2003 4:00 am EDT

Industry Canada has designated 20 MHz of spectrum in the 24 GHz frequency range to accommodate licence-exempt high-capacity fixed point-to-point communications links. The decision (DGTP-005-03), released on April 26, adds the licence-exempt spectrum to the entire 24.05-24.25 MHz band, which is already being used for...

NL Update

telecom | 04/28/2003 4:00 am EDT

 Industry committee reports on foreign investmentThe House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology will release its final report on foreign investment in the telecom sector this afternoon. A copy of the committee’s news release was accidentally posted on the committee’s web site briefly last week. The MPs will reportedly recommend that ownership limits be lifted entirely for telcos and cablecos. Bloc Québécois representatives Paul Crête and Jocelyne Girard-Bujold have submitted a dissent to the majority report. The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, which testified against the change, issued a news release denouncing the report before it was released. Nortel reports profit for Q1 2003Nortel Networks Corp. reported a paper profit of US$54 million for the first quarter of 2003. President/CEO Frank Dunn said the troubled equipment manufacturer had achieved profitability one quarter earlier than projected. Net earnings for Q1 included US$190 million from discontinued operations....

CRTC plan for inspections and prosecutions cautiously praised by telecom sector

telecom | 04/22/2003 4:00 am EDT

 The CRTC plans to look for outsiders to act as phone cops to help it force compliance with its regulations and it expects to have enough cash on hand to pay for the phone fuzz by dipping into research budgets. In Telecom Public Notice 2003-4, released April 10, the commission indicated that it would be sending...

AT&T Canada and Call-Net call on CRTC to make ILECs obey regulations

telecom | 04/22/2003 4:00 am EDT

 The competitive telephone service providers are accusing the incumbents of creative interpretation in applying regulatory decisions, even as the CRTC vows to crack down on ILECs’ skirting of telecom regulations. The two largest CLECs have recently filed separate Part VII applications with the commission attempting...

Canada leads in online government, but challenges still in the future

telecom | 04/22/2003 4:00 am EDT

 The desire by governments to harness the power of the Internet to provide services and gather feedback from their citizens will greatly change the nature of democracy, a new Canadian study states. The Centre for Collaborative Government (CCG) has released Finding our Digital Voice: Governing in the Information Age,...

Reseller opening up market in both per-minute and flat-rate LD options

telecom | 04/22/2003 4:00 am EDT

 A Toronto-based long distance reseller is expanding its services across the country with the hope of gaining significant market share and propelling it to the top of the telecom market. YAK Communications (Canada) Inc. has both a regular LD rate-per-minute offering in most of the country and a flat-rate discount...

NL Short Takes

telecom | 04/22/2003 4:00 am EDT

Telecommunications StatisticsNew figures released by Statistics Canada show that operating profits in the wireline telephone industry in 2002 fell 13.6% to nearly $3.9 billion, with revenues falling 3.1% to $24 billion. Numbers dropped from the fourth quarter of 2001 to the fourth quarter of 2002 and from 2001 to 2002. Capex continues to decrease, confirming industry trends (NL, Feb. 24/03).    Industry committee to report on foreign ownership next weekThe House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology will release its final recommendations on foreign investment rules on Monday, April 28. It has been studying the issue since late January.  Moody’s raises Telus credit rating outlook to stableMoody’s Investors Service Inc. has raised its outlook on the credit rating of Telus Corp. from negative to stable. The telco’s rating remains at Ba1, unchanged from its previous level. Talks between BCE and CGI continue until this summerBCE Inc. is extending its talks with CGI Group Inc. to...

NL People

telecom | 04/22/2003 4:00 am EDT

Paul Lamontagne will step down as president/CEO of Look Communications Inc. next month. He had been in the top job for nearly two years (NL, Sept. 11/01). Board chair Michael Cytrynbaum will act as interim CEO until a replacement can be found.  Dave Rourke, the president/COO of MTS Media Inc., is the interim head of MTS subsidiary Qunara. Rourke, who joined MTS in 1998, replaces Jeff Rohne, who is retiring as...

NL International Briefs

telecom | 04/22/2003 4:00 am EDT

WorldCom name change causes web site rechristeningBecause WorldCom has announced plans to rename itself MCI, the web site attacking the troubled telco has undergone a similar rebirth. In May 2002 former WorldCom account relations manager Mitch Marcus started www.boycottWorldcom.com, now rechristened www.boycottMCI.com. "This is clearly an attempt to shake off the taint associated with WorldCom’s sordid past,"...

NL Editorial

telecom | 04/22/2003 4:00 am EDT

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.The move by the CRTC to keep a more watchful eye on the compliance of telcos with its regulations shows a new sense of purpose by the commission. This may be attributable to chair Charles Dalfen finding his sea legs after 16 months on the job.   For too long, companies under commission...

RoW Update

telecom | 04/22/2003 4:00 am EDT

Industry Canada changes rules for 3500 MHz spectrum, going ahead with auctionIndustry Canada has opened up more spectrum for fixed wireless access (FWA) systems operating in the 3500 MHz range. In DGTP-006-003, the department added the sub-band 3475-3500 MHz to the existing core band of 3500-3650 MHz. The decision comes on the heels of a department decision to suspend new authorizations in the 3450-3500 MHz band so it...

Tower consultation to be “e-town hall” and set to begin this summer

telecom | 04/15/2003 4:00 am EDT

The head of the committee appointed by the federal government to conduct a review of Industry Canada’s antenna tower siting policy says the consultation will likely run from mid-June until the end of July of this year. David Townsend, chair of the National Antenna Tower Review Committee and a law professor at the...

RoW Editorial

telecom | 04/15/2003 4:00 am EDT

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. Now that Industry Canada has handed off the responsibility for conducting a national review of its antenna tower siting policy, David Townsend and the an-tenna tower working group have taken on the monumental task of taking the pulse of the Canadian public as it relates to the controversial...

ESMR decision greeted with satisfaction from Telus, disappointment from Rogers

telecom | 04/15/2003 4:00 am EDT

Telus Mobility representatives say that Industry Canada made the right decision in capping the amount of enhanced specialized mobile radio (ESMR) spectrum at 10 MHz that would be calculated under the department’s spectrum aggregation limits. Bob Simmonds, executive VP of regulatory at Telus Mobility, tells Report on...

Wireless operators spar over proposed changes to spectrum licensing fee regime

telecom | 04/15/2003 4:00 am EDT

Divisions among Canada’s mobile wireless operators are becoming clear over proposed changes to the country’s spectrum licensing and fee regime. Mandatory resale and roaming, antenna tower site sharing, and the different rates for analog and PCS spectrum are each emerging as contentious issues, though overall support for...

Wireless industry celebrates anniversary of first public cell phone call

telecom | 04/15/2003 4:00 am EDT

Thirty years ago, Motorola Inc. researcher Martin Cooper called Joel Engle, head of research at AT&T Labs, from a cell phone. That marked the first public cell phone call made. Ten years later, Motorola unveiled the world’s first commercially available cell phone. The DynaTAC 8000x was 33 cm in length, weighed in at 794 grams and cost $6,000. The Canadian wireless industry has come a long way since then and now approximately 12 million Canadians own a cell phone. To mark the 30th anniversary of the first public cell phone call and 20 years of the first commercially available cell phone, Report on Wireless interviewed David Woodcock, director of product management for Motorola...

Agilent experiencing greater demand for wireless test and measurement products

telecom | 04/15/2003 4:00 am EDT

Increased demand for Agilent Technologies Inc.’s wireless communications test and measurement products is being taken as a sign by the company that a turnaround in the communications sector could be near. Company representatives tell Report on Wireless that increased demand is being felt from equipment and component...

RoW Short Takes

telecom | 04/15/2003 4:00 am EDT

Telesat and Storm team up for North Stormont serviceTelesat Canada and Storm Internet Services have teamed up to provide high-speed Internet services to the township of North Stormont, located 40 minutes southeast of Ottawa in Eastern Ontario. North Stormont is the first municipality to benefit from a recently signed agreement between Telesat and Storm to provide high-speed Internet services in rural and remote regions of...

RoW People

telecom | 04/15/2003 4:00 am EDT

Former Nortel Networks Corp. sales and marketing VP Claude Giguère has joined SR Telecom Inc. as senior VP sales. He will be charged with developing the company’s global sales strategy and lead its sales team. Giguère’s appointment comes as the company continues to transform itself through a broadening of its product portfolio and geographic market penetration. He has more than 25 years experience in the...

RoW International Short Takes

telecom | 04/15/2003 4:00 am EDT

U.S. wireless operators take LNP issue to courtThe Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) and Verizon Wireless and the Federal Communications Commission will be facing off in court on April 15 over the commission’s mandated number portability policy. Lawyers for the CTIA and Verizon plan to argue that the FCC overstepped its...

NL Updates

telecom | 04/14/2003 4:00 am EDT

 Zarlink writes down investment in Mitel NetworksOttawa’s Zarlink Semiconductor is writing down its investment in Mitel Networks Corp. to nil value. The company cites ongoing market challenges and its assessment of Mitel’s financials as the reasons for the move. It is writing down US$11.5 million or nine cents per share. Service basket filings submitted to CRTCThe first round of filings arising out of Telecom Decision 2003-11 has been submitted to the CRTC. The major ILECs, AT&T Canada and the Canadian Cable Television Association have all submitted material to the commission. The CRTC ruled on service basket assignments in mid-March (NL, March 24/03). ILECs submit comments on compensation per call appealThe major ILECs have filed their comments on a Part VII application by Call-Net Enterprises Inc. about rates for compensation per call. Call-Net wants to ensure the payphone rates conform to the price cap decision. Telus Communications Inc. and Bell Canada and its allies want the appeal dismissed. Telus and TWU...

NL Special Update

telecom | 04/10/2003 4:00 am EDT

 CRTC finds Aliant violated Telecom Act, orders full inquiry into ILEC regulatory compliance  The CRTC continues its defence of competition through a public notice and a decision released today. It noted in Telecom Public Notice 2003-4 that it has released several rulings lately that focused on ILEC compliance with commission directives. Accordingly, it will now use inspectors to ensure that incumbent...

NL People

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

Stanley Stewart has resigned as president/CEO of Amtelecom Group Inc. Stewart, who joined the company in November 1997, will continue as a director until the next AGM.  John MacDonald has stepped down as a director of Unique Broadband Systems after serving for about one year. His new duties as president of AT&T Canada necessitated the resignation (NL, Dec. 2/02).  Biotonix Inc., a Montreal electronic health...

CRTC must take the lead in promoting telecom competition, Rock states

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

Industry minister Allan Rock spoke to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association Awards dinner in Ottawa on March 26. It was at that ceremony that he announced the dismissal of AT&T Canada’s appeal of the price cap decision (NL Update, Mar. 31/03). An edited version of his speech appears...

NL Editorial

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.It came as no surprise when the federal Cabinet decided to uphold the CRTC’s decision on price caps. The appeal by AT&T Canada succeeded in stirring the pot, but petitions to Cabinet have a success level somewhere behind the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs.   Of note were the remarks...

RoW Update

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

 Industry Canada caps ESMR holdings in spectrum aggregation limit calculationIndustry Canada will cap the amount of enhanced specialized mobile radio spectrum (ESMR) at 10 MHz under the department’s spectrum aggregation limits, a move that will surely be highly criticized by some wireless players (DGTP-004-03 – Changes to the Treatment of Public High-mobility Radiotelephony Services Under the Spectrum Cap...

Technology and time frames still separate both sides in third-party access dispute

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

 Cable operators and Internet service providers (ISPs) are still embroiled in a bitter fight over third-party access to networks, a battle that has raged for several years now. This time the Internet providers are accusing the carriers of using testing levels and technology standards as delaying tactics. The issue...

O.N. Telcom wins contribution portion of review and vary, loses on other rates

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

 An independent telco scored a victory last week as the CRTC agreed to overturn a section of its original decision on contribution levies. The decision means that O.N. Telcom will now see an increase in its subsidy pool. Slightly more than a year ago, the Ontario carrier filed a review and vary application over...

Networks need to change radically to meet technological and competitive demands

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

 Changes in technology, the rise of competition, and the growth of the Internet are having impacts on the local exchange networks of North American telcos, a recently released report states. The report examining developments in the local infrastructure finds carriers are rolling out their networks as...

Pay-per-call operators lose fight over 976 regulations as appeal dismissed by court

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

 A longstanding dispute between the operators of entertainment phone lines and Bell Canada came to an end late last month not with a bang but a whimper when the Supreme Court of Canada rejected a leave to appeal. However, a lawyer involved with the case says that the specific case may be closed but larger questions still remain. The fight has been simmering since 1999, when Bell changed its Accounts Receivable Management (ARM) agreement. The new regime more closely aligned 976 services with Bell’s Advantage 900 service (NL, Nov. 22/99). The 976 numbers are most often used by adult entertainment lines, sports tips and psychic hotlines. The changes allowed Bell to collect...

Incumbents still ignoring bundling rules despite CRTC decision, Call-Net claims

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

 One of the major CLECs is accusing the incumbents of playing fast and loose with telecom bundling rules. The ILEC-affiliated carriers are abusing the system, Call-Net Enterprises Inc. charges in a recent complaint to the commission. The competitive telcos had hoped the issue of affiliate bundling had been solved...

NL Short Takes

telecom | 04/07/2003 4:00 am EDT

AT&T Canada emerges from CCAA protectionAT&T Canada Inc. has emerged from the protection of the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (NL Update, Mar. 31/03). The company’s Class A voting and Class B limited voting shares are trading on the TSE and NASDAQ markets.  Telus sues TWU over union newspaper articlesTelus Corp. has filed a lawsuit in the B.C. Supreme Court, alleging that the Telecommunications...

RoW International Short Takes

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

Comment period on E911 closes in United StatesThe Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) consultation on E911 compatibility rules came to a close last week with wireless operators saying E911 should be extended to mobile satellite service (MSS) providers as well. Verizon Wireless stated in its comments that it supports "ending mobile satellite...

RoW Editorial

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. Wireless advertising and marketing got a serious shot in the arm earlier this month when the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association announced that it is working with mobile wireless operators to develop a list of common short codes (see story in this issue). These codes, usually five or six...

NL Update

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

 Cabinet dismisses AT&T Canada appeal of price cap decisionIndustry minister Allan Rock announced last week that the federal Cabinet has decided to reject AT&T Canada’s appeal of the CRTC’s price cap decision. He called on the commission, which comes under the purview of Canadian Heritage minister Sheila Copps, to be vigilant in promoting competition in the telecom sector. The CLEC said it was disappointed in the ruling, but happy that the government stands behind the notion of competition. Vidéotron labour dispute settled after 10 monthsA bitter 10-month strike at Quebec cable company Vidéotron ltée has been settled, with workers voting 77.6% in favour of a new five-year contract. There will be pay increases following a three-year wage freeze and some layoffs through attrition. The deal, which was shepherded by former Quebec premier Lucien Bouchard, brings to an end a battle marred by violence and vandalism. CRTC calls for comments on QoS rate adjustment planThe CRTC has issued Telecom Public Notice 2003-3,...

Rumoured Microcell-AT&T Canada combination could prove fruitful

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

Microcell Telecommunications Inc. and AT&T Canada Corp. are said to be having quiet discussions about merger opportunities and the chance to take on Canada’s largest incumbent telcos in both the wired and wireless markets. Commenting on a potential Microcell-AT&T Canada combination, Yankee Group Canada senior...

Common short code development gives wireless marketing a major boost

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

Wireless advertising and marketing could be bolstered by an industry initiative to work together to develop a list of common short codes. Short codes, which allow wireless subscribers to send a text message without having to type in the full 10-digit phone number, are already being used in various interactive TV promotions...

Telus Cabinet appeal may put wireless operators on the financial hook for millions

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

Mobile wireless operators could be on the hook for significantly more money in contribution payments to Telus Communications Inc. if the western telco wins an appeal to the federal Cabinet over the CRTC’s controversial contribution and rebanding decisions (Decision 2000-745 and Decision 2001-238). According to a joint...

Wireless operators at odds over proposed spectrum licensing and fee regime

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

Industry Canada continues to come under heavy fire from the Canadian wireless industry for its controversial proposal to increase current spectrum licence fee levels paid by the mobile wireless sector by more than 30%. In comments to DGRB-004-02, the four national mobile wireless operators state that the proposed level of...

Rogers Wireless files Part VII over termination of long distance traffic by Telus

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

Rogers Wireless Inc. (RWI) and Telus Communications Inc. are locked in a battle over how Telus’ long distance calls are terminated on Rogers’ network in Alberta and British Columbia. The two companies have been working since July 2000 to settle the dispute, but negotiations proved fruitless and the matter has been...

SR Telecom to expand market reach through proposed Netro purchase

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

Montreal-based SR Telecom Inc. has inked an agreement to purchase struggling U.S.-based wireless equipment maker Netro Corp. in a complicated stock deal that will see Netro shareholders own 43% of the combined entity. As part of the US$121-million deal, SR Telecom will gain control of the highly touted Angel product line as...

RoW Short Takes

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

Look Communications board approves rights offeringThe board of directors of Look Communications Inc. has approved a rights offering for the company’s current shareholders. Under terms of the offering, shareholders would be able to purchase additional common shares of Look. Details of the plan are still under wraps, but the company expects to file the plan with the appropriate authorities in April. Look expects to...

RoW People

telecom | 03/31/2003 5:00 am EST

BCE Inc. president and CEO Michael Sabia is one of eight new members to Adventis’ board of advisors. Adventis is a strategy and management consulting firm specializing in information industries. Also named to the advisory board are Betsy Bernard, president of AT&T; Pierre Danon, CEO of British Telecom Retail; Didier Delepine, president and CEO of Equant; Keith Cowan, chief planning and development officer at...

CRTC finalizes price cap service basket assignment and OKs filings from ILECs

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

 The latest developments in the price cap regime came into effect when the CRTC released a series of decisions last week. All five major ILECs had their price cap filings dealt with, while the commission also handled service basket assignment and rates for competitive services. The CRTC started out in Telecom Decision 2003-11 rejecting complaints by Call-Net Enterprises Inc. that many of the ILECs’ proposals for service baskets amounted to review and vary requests on the original price cap decision, Telecom Decision 2002-34 (NL, June 3/02). It pointed out that Call-Net did not specify what demands constituted an R&V. Aliant Telecom Inc., Bell Canada, MTS Communications...

CRTC widening of promotions suspension hailed by CLECs, decried by ILECs

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

 The CRTC’s decision to expand its review of winback promotions is being regretted by ILECs, but the competitors say they need a successful resolution from the proceeding in order to operate on a level playing field. On March 13, the commission announced it was amending Telecom Public Notice 2003-1, which was to...

RoW Update

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

RIM opens up BlackBerry platformResearch in Motion Ltd. has unveiled another element in its strategy to maintain the stranglehold it has on the corporate mobile messaging market by launching its BlackBerry Connect licensing program. The project, unveiled at the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association’s annual wireless conference and trade show in New Orleans last week, is aimed at offering an open mobile...

Utilities can be vital link in expanding community networks, UTC conference told

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

 Canada’s utility sector may hold one of the keys to expanding connectivity to more Canadians via community hard-wired networks, a recent conference was told. While Canada has made great strides in its community fibre networks, there is much work yet to be done, according to key players in the utility industry....

FCC ruling provides sliver of hope for beleaguered equipment vendors

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

 Telecom equipment manufacturers in Canada and the United States are hoping that a recent ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will spur telcos south of the border to buy more equipment. Already, one of the largest of the so-called "Baby Bells" has decided to expand its broadband...

Competitors urge Cabinet to reject Telus contribution and rebanding appeal

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

 Canada’s two major CLECs have joined with the number two wireless carrier to oppose a Cabinet appeal by Telus Communications Inc. over contribution and rebanding decisions. Oddly enough, the group maintains those who would be hardest hit if the appeal were granted would be the other ILECs. Telus filed its application seeking to overturn Telecom Decision 2000-745 and Telecom Decision 2001-238 in late January (NL, Feb. 10/03). AT&T Canada Corp., Call-Net Enterprises Inc. and Rogers Wireless Inc., calling themselves the "Competitive Coalition," submitted their comments on March 10. "Approval of Telus’ petition would result in a huge windfall to Telus, in...

NL Short Takes

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

Axia hands over SuperNet contract to Bell WestAxia NetMedia Corp. renegotiated its contract with the Alberta Ministry of Innovation and Science and with Bell West concerning the rollout of the SuperNet network. Axia is pulling out of its subcontract with Bell West but will continue to provide network design and other services with the provincial government. The Calgary company also announced that it has sold 10% of its...

NL People

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

Bryan Hills, VP of shared services at Cygnal Technologies Corp., is acting as interim CFO following the departure of senior VP/CFO Calven Iwata. Hills has worked at the Oshawa ON company for a year after previously serving at Bell Mobility Paging, Shaw Mobilecomm, and Mobile Computing Corp.  Encore Networks Inc. has expanded its operations by opening a Canadian sales office in Ottawa. John Craig, a veteran of...

NL International Briefs

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

British government loses big on e-governmentThe British government overspent its budget for electronic government by £1.5 billion (about $3.5 billion) in 1997, due to cost overruns or cancelled projects. The total has risen by £500 million ($1.1 billion) since July 2001.   Bankrupt Asia Global Crossing now Asia NetcomAsia Global Crossing has emerged from bankruptcy and will now be known as Asia Netcom. The...

NL Editorial

telecom | 03/24/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. We are now witnessing the birth of high-tech hostilities as the Americans and their allies begin their assault on Iraq. Reports out of the Middle East show how strategies have changed as technologies improve.   In previous wars, disabling the communications infrastructure was a major...

Toronto startup to use MPEG-4 to broadcast TV over satellite to PCs

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

A small Toronto startup is preparing to tackle the nascent MPEG-4 market with a specialty television station broadcast via the EutelSat Open Skies platform. The company, TVHello, hopes to be on air by this summer, though timing isn’t nailed down at this point. TVHello has already won use of an 18 GHz frequency from...

RoW Short Takes

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

Zucotto Wireless shuts doors, soon to reopen in U.S.One-time promising wireless startup Zucotto Wireless has officially shut its doors and laid off all of its employees without severance. The company, which was based in Ottawa, also had an office in San Jose. Several conflicting reports have surfaced detailing the reasons why the company failed to become viable. Some have pointed the fingers at a management team that...

RoW People

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

Cygnal Technologies Corp. has announced the departure of Calven Iwata as senior VP and CFO effective immediately. Iwata’s departure is part of the ongoing management team development under new president and CEO Kieron Dowling. Iwata will be replaced on an interim basis by Bryan Hills. Currently VP of shared services, Hills has more than 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry having held a number of...

RoW International Short Takes

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

Motorola expands public safety communications systemsMotorola Inc. is expanding its portfolio of communications systems for public safety organizations by offering systems with greater interoperability to address the growing concerns of public safety agencies. The Schaumburg IL company is adding the JPS ACU-1000 modular interface/interconnect system to...

CWTA urges Industry Canada to recalculate proposed spectrum licence fees

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) is leveling harsh criticism at Industry Canada over its proposal to harmonize the spectrum licensing regime and implement a new spectrum licence fee schedule. While the CWTA agrees with the department that it should rationalize and harmonize the licensing regime, it has serious concerns that Industry Canada may be proceeding without the right to do so. Late last year, the department released DGRB-004-02 with the goal of rationalizing the country’s current mix of radio and spectrum licensing requirements (RoW Update, Jan. 13/03). In its March 14 comments to DGRB-004-02, the CWTA points out that the Treasury Board of Canada’s...

RoW Editorial

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. Industry Canada may have unwittingly stepped into a new and uncertain morass with its proposal to harmonize its spectrum licensing and fee regime (see lead article). Treasury Board policies dictate that any federal government department or agency must conduct a comprehensive review of fees with...

TWU granted extension to file leave to appeal to Federal Court

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

The Federal Court of Canada has given the Telecommunications Workers Union (TWU) the go-ahead to appeal a previous decision that denied a contempt of order against Telus Mobility and one of its senior-level executives. On February 28, the Federal Court’s trial division ruled that the TWU’s Notice of Appeal demonstrated...

fSONA lands OEM agreement with Alcatel and another infusion of cash

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

Vancouver-based fSONA Communications Inc. scored big last week when it landed a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement with France-based telecom equipment giant Alcatel SA. Additionally, the free-space optics equipment supplier also secured another $9.5-million infusion of venture capital. Announced at...

Wireless lab launches new funding and mentoring program for wireless startups

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

The Network for Emerging Wireless Technologies (NEWT) has launched a new program aimed at commercializing within a year new wireless technologies, services or products for vertical markets such as transportation and workforce management. A contest dubbed Leapfrog will award three emerging wireless startups a contract worth...

Wireless companies make pitch to utilities for uses of wireless last mile technology

telecom | 03/18/2003 5:00 am EST

Utility companies thinking of entering the Canadian telecommunications market should seriously consider using broadband wireless technologies as a potential solution to expanding their current infrastructure to reach more customers. That was the message given by three Canadian wireless equipment manufacturers at the recent United Telecom Council’s 2003 Canadian Utility Telecom Conference, which took place from March 5 to 7 in Ottawa. Representatives from Redline Communications Inc., DragonWave Inc. and Unique Broadband Systems Inc. told the session titled Wireless: Last Mile Solutions that wireless is close to being ready to take its place alongside fibre as a dominant method of...

NL Update

telecom | 03/17/2003 5:00 am EST

 CRTC orders review of promotionsIn Telecom Public Notice 2003-1-1, dated March 13, the commission amended its original public notice on winback promotions (NL Update, Jan. 20/03). The prohibition on winback promotions has been expanded to other promotions, including those involving current ILEC customers. Amended submissions may be filed until March 28. Competitors urge rejection of Telus appealAT&T Canada...

FCM, cities file leaves to appeal Ledcor decision to Supreme Court of Canada

telecom | 03/11/2003 5:00 am EST

The longstanding battle between telcos and municipalities over rights-of-way may be nearing an end as three leaves to appeal the landmark case on municipal access have been filed with Canada’s highest court.  The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the City of Vancouver and a coalition of the City of...

ILECs advise Call-Net Enterprises to roll out its own high-speed Internet service

telecom | 03/11/2003 5:00 am EST

 Three of Canada’s major incumbent local telephone service providers scoff at the idea that they are refusing to provide DSL access to people who subscribe to a competitor’s rival telephony service. The incumbents’ advice to their new entrant competitors is, "Build it and they will come." The...

Industry committee winds down telecom foreign ownership restriction study

telecom | 03/11/2003 5:00 am EST

 The House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology has concluded its hearings into the topic of foreign ownership restrictions in the telecom sector. The committee will now have to weigh the diverse opinions expressed on the issue during several weeks of testimony as it drafts recommendations...

NL Short Takes

telecom | 03/11/2003 5:00 am EST

Northwestel installs new central office in Repulse BayNorthwestel has installed a new Redcom MDXI central office in Repulse Bay NU, site of a recent service outage (NL, Feb. 24/03). Cutover of the switch, which can handle both custom calling and call management services, is scheduled for early March.   Operator services change in Nunavut to add language choiceNorthwestel is transferring two operator service...

NL People

telecom | 03/11/2003 5:00 am EST

John Macdonald has been promoted to president/CEO of Hydro One Telecom Inc. The four-year veteran of Ontario Hydro had been GM of its telecom division since 2000. He also has experience at AT&T Canada and Nortel Networks.  Tom Pollock is the new GM of SCBN Telecommunications Inc. in Barrie ON. He sold his ISP in Sudbury ON before taking over the job with the community network. He succeeds Glen Dufton, who is...

Foreign ownership about more than money, commissioner tells committee

telecom | 03/11/2003 5:00 am EST

 Konrad von Finckenstein, the commissioner of competition at the Competition Bureau, spoke to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on February 24. The text of his remarks, slightly edited, appears below. First, access to capital is essential for a dynamic and efficient...

NL Editorial

telecom | 03/11/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. Now that the House of Commons industry, science and technology committee has heard from all its witnesses, it is working on a draft report on foreign ownership limits. A final set of recommendations should be delivered to Industry minister Allan Rock by the end of the month or early in April....

Telecom lawyers expect brighter future for utility telecoms in regulatory regime

telecom | 03/11/2003 5:00 am EST

 Current and pending decisions from the CRTC and from the courts offer a rosy regulatory regime for utility companies interested in getting into telecom. Two presentations at last week’s United Telecom Council (UTC) Canadian conference gave hope to those power producers that are considering expanding their offerings. The 2003 Canadian Utility Telecom Conference was held in Ottawa from March 5 to 7. One eagerly-awaited session was the Canadian Telecom Regulatory Update featuring Anthony Keenleyside, a partner with McCarthy Tétrault LLP (who has done work for the UTC), and Goodmans LLP lawyer Peter Ruby. The pair gave delegates updates on cases affecting telecommunications in...

Power line communications making strides to become next wave in telecom

telecom | 03/11/2003 5:00 am EST

 The promise of power line communications (PLC) has grown stronger over the past few months and will only increase in the future, a telecom conference was told last week. The ability to deliver telephony through electric lines should be widely available soon, three American executives predicted. "We’ve come...

RoW Update

telecom | 03/10/2003 5:00 am EST

 RIM provisions for possible charge in patent dispute with NTPResearch in Motion Ltd. has taken steps to mitigate any financial hit stemming from the company’s ongoing patent dispute with NTP Inc. Last week, the maker of the popular BlackBerry wireless device took a provision of between US$7 million and US$8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. The decision was taken following a U.S. district court ruling...

Fee for cell phone ringtones would be levied under proposed new SOCAN tariff

telecom | 03/04/2003 5:00 am EST

Wireless operators and ringtone suppliers in Canada could soon be required to pay more money to use ringtones based on popular melodies if the Copyright Board of Canada approves an expanded tariff on the public performance of music proposed by the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)....

Commons committee begins drafting report on telco foreign ownership

telecom | 03/04/2003 5:00 am EST

Parliamentary committee hearings studying potential changes to Canada's telecom sector foreign ownership regime wrapped up last week and now the committee has begun to draft its recommendations to the minister of Industry. The committee is scheduled to deliver the report to Industry minister Allan Rock by the end of...

Telesat Canada experiences more power problems on another satellite

telecom | 03/04/2003 5:00 am EST

Telesat Canada staff will take several weeks working with Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems to determine the cause of a power malfunction on its new Nimiq 2 satellite. The bus, a Lockheed Martin A2100, experienced a failure on February 20 that temporarily knocked out several of its Ku-band transponders, temporarily affecting Bell ExpressVu LP's satellite television service.At the height of the failure, only 24 transponders were operational, but Telesat engineers quickly restored the bird to 28 transponders on the same day of the malfunction, and restored two more the next day. The satellite has a total of 32 Ku-band transponders.In the meantime, while Telesat and Lockheed's...

Toshiba of Canada launches Wi-Fi program, plans 1,000 hotspots by year-end

telecom | 03/04/2003 5:00 am EST

Toshiba of Canada Information Systems Group (ISG) is hoping to capitalize on the growing thirst for "anywhere bandwidth" and has launched Toshiba Hotspots, a new program aimed at bringing wireless access to a wide variety of locations across the country. The Canadian subsidiary of Toshiba Corp. will leverage its...

Annual telecommunications conference pushed back to spring 2004

telecom | 03/04/2003 5:00 am EST

The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) and Reed Exposition Canada have pushed back Canada's annual telecommunications conference to the spring of 2004, a more convenient time of year says the chief lobbyist for Canada's wireless industry. EXPO COMM Canada Communications 2004 will take place on...

`RoW Short Takes

telecom | 03/04/2003 5:00 am EST

Industry Canada extends licensing fee comment period Industry Canada has extended the comment period for the current consultation on a proposal to harmonize the spectrum licensing regime and fee structure. The new deadline for comments is March 14. Last December, the department released DGRB-004-02, which seeks to set up a common licensing regime and fee structure for the country's mobile wireless operators (RoW...

RoW People

telecom | 03/04/2003 5:00 am EST

BCE Inc. may be gearing up for some major regulatory and competitive battles in the coming months as the communications giant has significantly beefed up its roster of competition and regulatory legal expertise. Noted competition and trade lawyer Lawson Hunter has joined the company as executive VP. Currently a partner at Stikeman Elliott, Hunter has had an extensive career in both the private and public sector. In the...

RoW Editorial

telecom | 03/04/2003 5:00 am EST

The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports. Canada's wireless telecommunications industry could be quite different in a few years as some key regulatory matters and competitive issues come to a head at the same time.In fact, three articles in this issue of Report on Wireless explore the potential changes: the federal government appears open...

Microcell receives support for reorganization, struggles with subscriber additions

telecom | 03/04/2003 5:00 am EST

Microcell Telecommunications Inc. has secured significant support for its recapitalization and restructuring plan, having signed lock-up agreements with 75% of secured creditors and 55% of unsecured creditors. The struggling wireless operator's plans are detailed in a comprehensive information circular and proxy...

NL Update

telecom | 03/03/2003 5:00 am EST

 Group Telecom to be known as LondonConnect Inc.As part of the rebranding in the wake of its takeover by 360networks Corp., GT Group Telecom Services Corp. will soon be known as LondonConnect Inc. The company has informed the CRTC of the pending change. No date has been given for the official switch. Both sides claim win in Alberta SuperNet disputeOK, this much we’re sure of. Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench...

RoW Special Edition Update

telecom | 02/28/2003 5:00 am EST

Microcell’s struggles continue as company posts Q4 net loss in subscribers Struggling wireless operator Microcell Telecommunications Inc. appears to have suffered a significant setback in its battle back to viability in posting a net loss of more than 30,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2002 ended December 31 (RoW, Dec. 20/02). The company, which lost 44,689 subscribers for the entire year, saw...

RoW Update

telecom | 02/24/2003 5:00 am EST

Foreign ownership hearings continue as unions, university professor clashParliamentary hearings surrounding the review of Canada’s current rules governing foreign ownership limits in the telecom sector continued last week as a coalition of unions opposed to changes in the rules went head-to-head with a McGill University professor advocating a tiered approach to foreign investment. In what was at times a heated exchange, the National Alliance of Communications Unions (NACU) told members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology on February 19 that important knowledge jobs would be lost if rules were changed to give foreigners control over telecommunications firms. On the other side of the debate, McGill professor Richard Schultz made an equally compelling, but contrary argument, saying that there is no hard evidence to prove that the removal of foreign ownership limits would have harmful effects on the Canadian telecommunications sector. This isn’t the first time the Industry committee has heard the...