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TELECOM UPDATE
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published weekly by Angus TeleManagement Group
http://www.angustel.ca
Number 471: March 4, 2005
Publication of Telecom Update is made possible by generous
financial support from:
** ALLSTREAM: www.allstream.com
** AVAYA: www.avaya.ca/en/
** BELL CANADA: www.bell.ca
** CISCO SYSTEMS CANADA: www.cisco.com/ca/
** ERICSSON: www.ericsson.ca
** MITEL NETWORKS: www.mitel.com/
** SPRINT CANADA: www.sprint.ca
** UTC CANADA: www.canada.utc.org/
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IN THIS ISSUE:
** Richard French Named CRTC Vice-Chair
** Nortel Shakes Up Executive Suite
** Virgin Mobile Begins Service
** 450 to Get 10-Digit Dialing
** CAIP Organizes to Influence Telecom Review
** Shaw Plans Cellphone Service
** Plaintiffs Against BCE/BCI Lose Appeal
** Nortel Gets Another Extension
** Aliant Expands Broadband Access
** Survey Shows User Support for Wireless Portability
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RICHARD FRENCH NAMED CRTC VICE-CHAIR: Richard French has been
appointed head of the CRTC's telecom branch, replacing Vice- Chairman
David Colville, who retired in December. French, a former Bell Canada
executive and Quebec cabinet minister, more recently held posts with
Bombardier in Germany and Tata Communications in India.
** Rita Cugini has been named a full-time member of the
Commission representing Ontario.
NORTEL SHAKES UP EXECUTIVE SUITE: Nortel Networks has named Gary
Daichendt, currently a Cisco Systems EVP, as President and COO,
effective March 14. Bill Owens, now President and CEO, will become
Vice-Chairman and CEO. Newly appointed CFO Peter Currie will assume
the additional post of Executive VP. Pascal Debon will become special
advisor to Owens.
VIRGIN MOBILE BEGINS SERVICE: Virgin Mobile Canada, a joint venture of
Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Bell Mobility, launched its
youth-oriented prepaid wireless service in Ontario and Quebec March
2. Airtime price: 25 cents/minute for the first five minutes; then 15
cents/minute. Phone prices start at $99.
** Twelve days earlier, Bell Mobility lowered its prepaid
airtime price to 30 cents/minute for the first two minutes
and 5 cents/minute thereafter.
450 TO GET 10-DIGIT DIALING: Following a public consultation, the CRTC
has decided to apply 10-digit local dialing to area code 450, serving
the Montreal region, beginning in October 2006. (See Telecom Update
#451, 466)
CAIP ORGANIZES TO INFLUENCE TELECOM REVIEW: The Canadian Association
of Internet Providers says it will launch TelecomAct Campaign as a
vehicle to "advance recommendations and react to proposed changes"
with regard to the federal government's review of telecom policy (see
Telecom Update #470). Contact Joanne Stanley at 613-236-6550.
www.caip.ca
SHAW PLANS CELLPHONE SERVICE: According to published reports, CEO Jim
Shaw says that Shaw Communications plans to offer wireless service in
about six months.
PLAINTIFFS AGAINST BCE/BCI LOSE APPEAL: The Supreme Court of Canada
has dismissed an appeal by plaintiffs in a $1-billion suit against BCI
and BCE. The suit was previously dismissed by Ontario Court of
Appeal. (See Telecom Update #415)
NORTEL GETS ANOTHER EXTENSION: Nortel Networks has received court
permission to delay its 2004 annual meeting to the end of June -- the
fourth extension of this deadline. Nortel plans to file its 2004
results by the end of April.
ALIANT EXPANDS BROADBAND ACCESS: Aliant says it will invest more than
$35 million in 2005 to bring broadband connections to 90,000 more
homes in Atlantic Canada.
SURVEY SHOWS USER SUPPORT FOR WIRELESS PORTABILITY: A survey of
Canadian wireless users by Solutions Research Group reports 79%
support for introduction of Wireless Number Portability; 13% were
opposed and only 8% not sure. Support was strongest among business
users and youth.
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HOW TO SUBMIT ITEMS FOR TELECOM UPDATE
E-MAIL: editors@angustel.ca
FAX: 905-686-2655
MAIL: TELECOM UPDATE
Angus TeleManagement Group
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Ajax, Ontario Canada L1T 2Z7
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TeleManagement Group Inc. All rights reserved. For further
information, including permission to reprint or reproduce, please
e-mail rosita@angustel.ca or phone 905-686-5050 ext 500.
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
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John Riddell (jriddell@angustel.ca)