According to researchers at IDC in Framingham, Mass., the Wi-Fi market is still rife with uncertainty. The industry analysts likened the onslaught of Wi-Fi service providers and application developers to a “technology gold rush” and said the market would develop in two stages: a two-year stint in which Wi-Fi carriers would expand their networks; and a three-year run wherein service providers would develop roaming agreements to plug holes in their infrastructures. Despite the uncertainty, IDC said Wi-Fi revenue would grow 143 per cent annually over the next five years.
Correcting telco wrongs with rights
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) in June said it would solicit comments from the public on creating a Consumer Bill Of Rights (CBOR), so business and residential customers of incumbent telcos like Bell Canada and Telus Corp. would know where they stand with their service providers. The CRTC said it wants comments on which consumer rights should be covered by the CBOR, how the information should be communicated and how the document could be amended. For more info, see the Commission’s Telecom Public Notice 2003-6 at www.crtc.gc.ca.
So long, AT&T Canada
AT&T Canada unveiled its new name last month: Allstream Inc. The rebranding comes after a parting of the ways between AT&T Canada and U.S.-based AT&T Corp. Allstream reps said the company would continue to focus on delivering voice and data services to Canadian enterprises. They also tried to put to rest the rumour that Telus Corp. might purchase the firm. “We are not in discussions with any telephone company at this time,” said Allstream CEO John McLennan. Web visitors aiming for www.attcanada.com
are now redirected to www.allstream.com.