North Rock upgrades long distance service

North Rock Communications has upgraded its 2020-321 long distance service to make it "faster, smarter and more reliable".

General Manager of North Rock, Vicki Coelho, said the changes, which went into effect after a six-month testing period, were a response to customer feedback on the service. The new platform includes improved speed and a "new more user friendly interface".

Mrs. Coelho said: "North Rock's new 2020-321 is designed to be smarter and more helpful when you dial-in. The prompts will guide you if you misdial, and help you through any problems you may have. We've even made it more polite!"

In the next few months North Rock will roll out a number of products designed to enhance and compliment our current offerings.

Wired Wednesday's focus on education

This month's Wired Wednesday event will focus on education, particularly technology products and services that are available in the Bermuda market.

Wired Wednesdays are the brainchild of the business technology division of the Chamber of Commerce. It is designed to give Telecom and IT industry players a regular monthly networking forum to discuss common issues, learn about new developments and potentially develop new business opportunities.

The second event will take place at Gateway Systems tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. The discussion will focus on products and services available on-Island, staff education and training options, as well as new technology advances and related topics

John Kyle, chairman of the Chamber's business technology division, said: "Surveys have shown that the local business community would like more information on Island-wide resources, therefore we encourage them to come out and use this informal networking environment to hear and see what is available, but more importantly meet industry professionals that can assist with their business technology development."

The committee will be accepting donations for the Red Cross' Tsunami Victim Relief Fund at the event.

Intelsat satellite lost after malfunction

Bermuda-based Intelsat Ltd., the second-largest global satellite operator, said its IS-804 satellite that covered the South Pacific was permanently lost because of an electrical malfunction.

Intelsat said it expects to record a non-cash cost of about $73 million to write off the value of the IS-804 satellite, the company said yesterday in a statement. The satellite was made by Lockheed Martin Corp. and was launched in 1997, the company said.

Zeus Holdings Ltd., a company created by Apollo Management LP and three other buyout firms, agreed in August to buy Intelsat, which transmits communications, for $3 billion. Under the agreement, the loss of the satellite gives Zeus Holdings the option of not completing the transaction, Intelsat said in the statement. Zeus is evaluating the impact of the satellite's loss, Intelsat said.

In December, Intelsat said it regained control of its Americas-7 satellite, which covered North and Central America and had malfunctioned. Intelsat spokeswoman Dianne VanBeber said in a phone interview that the two events were unrelated and there is no chance the IS-804 satellite will be recovered.

Service to some of the satellite's customers has been restored and the company is in the process of making alternative capacity available to others, VanBeber said.