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TELECOM UPDATE
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published weekly by Angus TeleManagement Group=20
http://www.angustel.ca
Number 543: August 25, 2006
Publication of Telecom Update is made possible by generous=20
financial support from:
** AVAYA: www.avaya.ca/
** BELL CANADA: www.bell.ca/home/Home_Business.page=20
** CISCO SYSTEMS CANADA: www.cisco.com/ca/=20
** 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=20
** VONAGE CANADA: www.vonage.ca
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IN THIS ISSUE:
** CRTC Asked to Enforce VoIP 9-1-1 Procedures
** Bell Fires Salvo in Broadband Wars
** AOL Privacy Breach Leads to Dismissals
** AT&T Sues Brokers over Customer Information
** Mitel Upgrades Mobility Portfolio
** NEC Adds Managed IP Telephony
** Avaya Upgrades Call Centre, Teleworker Software
** Founder Raises Bid for Inter-Tel
** IBM Buys Security Company
** MTS Offers High-Definition TV
** Telehop Net Income Rises
** Correction--Rogers Home Phone
** Feelings Mixed on Anytime Connectivity
CRTC ASKED TO ENFORCE VoIP 9-1-1 PROCEDURES: 9-1-1 call centre providers
in eight provinces have told the CRTC that most of the 9-1-1 calls
forwarded by VoIP providers reach them over administrative lines not
designed for emergency use, creating "a safety risk for the public."
** The 9-1-1 agencies ask the Commission (1) to tell VoIP
service providers to adhere to the call routing provisions
of Telecom Decision 2006-5 and Telecom Order 2006-168 and
(2) to tell Local Exchange Carriers to include this
requirement in contracts with VoIP providers. (See Telecom
Update #515)
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2006/8663/8663_06.htm#200610312
BELL FIRES SALVO IN BROADBAND WARS: Bell Canada is rolling out its 16
Mbps Sympatico Optimax Internet access service across Toronto. The
service debuted in Montreal last month. Price: $100 per month; a 10 Mbps
version can be had for $75/month. (See Telecom Update #542)
AOL PRIVACY BREACH LEADS TO DISMISSALS: AOL has announced the
resignation of its CTO and has fired two other employees in connection
with the recent posting on the Internet of three months' worth of
search queries by 650,000 customers. The query sequences, which
included intimate and sometimes identifiable data, were widely
reposted and discussed on the Net. AOL says it is taking action to
prevent a recurrence.
AT&T SUES BROKERS OVER CUSTOMER INFORMATION: AT&T has sued 25 data
brokers for fraudulently setting up thousands of online billing accounts
using the identities of the telco's customers. The accounts can be used
to obtain and sell the customers' calling histories.
MITEL UPGRADES MOBILITY PORTFOLIO: Mitel Networks has announced a
"second generation" enterprise mobility portfolio that gives
softphones and teleworker devices encrypted access to the PBX's voice,
presence, secure IM, and Web collaboration features, without using a
Virtual Private Network.
** Mitel also now offers Quick Conferencing, an 8 to 32-port
SIP-based audio conferencing bridge.
NEC ADDS MANAGED IP TELEPHONY: NEC Unified Solutions now offers
Managed IP Telephony, consisting of its Univerge IP-PBX platform plus
maintenance and management services, for a monthly fee. "Essential"
and "Comprehensive" options provide differing levels of data network
support.
AVAYA UPGRADES CALL CENTRE, TELEWORKER SOFTWARE: Avaya has released
version 7.1 of its Interaction Center product, which adds a new
software development kit.
** Version 2.0 of VPNremote for IP Phones adds support for
Cisco and Juniper VPN environments.
FOUNDER RAISES BID FOR INTER-TEL: An investment group including Steven
Mihaylo has raised its offer to buy Inter-Tel to about US$615 million.
Mihaylo is founder and former CEO of the Arizona-based business
communications systems manufacturer.
IBM BUYS SECURITY COMPANY: IBM Corp. has agreed to acquire Atlanta-based
Internet Security Systems, which provides enterprises with managed
security services, for US$1.3 billion.
MTS OFFERS HIGH-DEFINITION TV: Manitoba Telecom's TV subscribers can
now receive up to seven High Definition channels for $4.99 a month
(forgivable for customers on contract) plus $349 for equipment and an
installation fee.
TELEHOP NET INCOME RISES: Telehop Communications, a Toronto-based long
distance carrier, reports a profit of $483,785 for the six months
ended June 30, four times as high as during the same period last
year. Revenue edged up 3.9% to $10.2 million.
CORRECTION -- ROGERS HOME PHONE: Telecom Update #542 incorrectly reported
that Rogers had added residential phone service to several small cities
in Ontario using cable telephony. In fact, Rogers is providing the
expanded coverage with circuit-switched lines.
FEELINGS MIXED ON ANYTIME CONNECTIVITY: A Korn/Ferry International
survey of 2,300 global executives found that 81% have their
communications devices on all the time. 77% say the devices enhance
their work/life balance, but more than a third (38%) believe they spend
too much time connected.
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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
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.
John Riddell (jriddell@angustel.ca)