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TELECOM UPDATE
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published weekly by Angus TeleManagement Group
http://www.angustel.ca
Number 525: April 13, 2006
Publication of Telecom Update is made possible by generous
financial support from:
** AVAYA: www.avaya.ca/
** BELL CANADA: www.bell.ca
** CISCO SYSTEMS CANADA: www.cisco.com/ca/
** ERICSSON: www.ericsson.ca
** MICROSOFT CANADA: www.microsoft.com/canada/telecom/
** MITEL NETWORKS: www.mitel.com/
** NEC UNIFIED SOLUTIONS: www.necunifiedsolutions.com
** ROGERS TELECOM: www.rogers.com/solutions
** VONAGE CANADA: www.vonage.ca
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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).
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2006/pb2006-47.htm
** 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.
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Notices/2006/pb2006-48.htm
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.
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2006/8665/c12_200601626.htm#4b
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."
http://www.oecd.org/sti/ict/broadband
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.
http://www.cata.ca
NETWORKWORLD MEETS IN TORONTO: The LinuxWorld and NetworkWorld
Conference and Expo will be held in the Metro Toronto Convention
Centre April 24-26.
http://www.lwnwexpo.plumcom.ca/
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COPYRIGHT AND CONDITIONS OF USE: All contents copyright 2006 Angus
TeleManagement Group Inc. All rights reserved. For further
information, including permission to reprint or reproduce, please
e-mail jriddell@angustel.ca.
The information and data included has been obtained from sources which
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warranties or representations whatsoever regarding accuracy,
completeness, or adequacy. Opinions expressed are based on
interpretation of available information, and are subject to change. If
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Angus TeleManagement Group (jriddell@angustel.ca)