Telus Delays IP-TV Plans
Telus is blaming a strike by the Telecommunication Workers Union for delaying its plans to launch IP-TV and possibly a VOIP service. CEO Darren Entwistle said the IPTV plans, which currently involved testing by 1,800 employees, have been put on hold until the labor situation is resolved. What would be really interesting to know is the technology Telus plans to use for IP-TV. Last month, it announced a deal to use Alcatel equipment in its next-generation IP network, in which IP-TV was referenced. There is no word, however, on whether Telus plans to use Microsoft software or go another route. For all the noise Microsoft is making about IP-TV, it's telling that there hasn't been a commercial launch yet. Swisscom has delayed its service, Telstra has backed away from Microsoft, and there are rumors BellSouth is thinking of dumping Microsoft from set-top boxes it's testing.
