Shaw 2011 Annual Report Download - page 14

Shaw Communications Inc.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
August 31, 2011
Shaw Digital Phone offers several packages tailored to meet the needs of residential subscribers
with varying levels of included long distance and calling features. Professional installation,
access to E-911 (enhanced 911 emergency service), directory and operator services, and
around-the-clock (24/7/365) customer support are included in the Digital Phone service at no
additional cost to subscribers. Similar to the residential packages, Shaw offers commercial
voice services, including a variety of Shaw Business products for home based or smaller
businesses and a Primary Rate Interface (“PRI”) service for medium and larger businesses.
Shaw Digital Phone utilizes PacketCable technology and DOCSIS specifications. Customers’
existing phone lines are connected into modems usually installed at the location of the central
wiring in the customers’ premises. The modem converts the voice conversation (sounds waves)
into digital IP packets that are carried to an IP-based telephone switch (“softswitch”). At this
point, the packets are transformed again into traditional telephone signals for connection to the
public switched telephone network or may be routed through the IP network to the called party.
Unlike internet phone providers who use the internet to route calls, Shaw’s Digital Phone
service uses Shaw’s own private managed broadband network and the public switched
telephone network to route calls, allowing the Company to ensure a consistent level of quality
and reliability to its phone customers.
During 2011 Shaw Digital Phone services were made available in a number of smaller
communities in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. In 2010 the Company launched
Digital Phone service in various markets, including Campbell River, Winfield, Kimberly and
Fernie in British Columbia, as well in Stony Plain and expansions in the surrounding areas of
Lethbridge, and Red Deer, all in Alberta.
Shaw Business
Shaw Business is responsible for the development and management of the national fibre
network that is the primary Internet backbone for Shaw’s broadband Internet customers. This
backbone network is also used to carry Shaw Digital Phone capacity and video signals. In
addition, Shaw Business provides services to small and medium size business, Internet Service
Providers (“ISPs”), cable companies, broadcasters, governments and other organizations that
require end-to-end Internet, data and voice connectivity. Shaw Business is a major account and
wholesale provider offering third parties advanced high speed data connectivity and Internet
services in Canada and the United States. Its offerings currently include data, voice and video
transport and Internet connectivity services. It also continues to establish public and private
peering arrangements and high speed connections to major North American, European and
Asian network access points and other tier-one backbone carriers.
Shaw Business has built both its fibre network and its customer base to promote future revenue
growth. Its network includes multiple fibre capacity on two diverse cross-North America routes.
The Company’s southern route principally consists of approximately 6,400 route kilometres
(4,000 miles) of fibre located on routes between Vancouver (via Calgary, Winnipeg, Chicago,
Toronto and Buffalo) and New York City and between Vancouver and Sacramento. The northern
route consists of approximately 4,000 route kilometres (2,500 miles) of fibre between
Edmonton (via Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Thunder Bay) and Toronto. This route provides
redundancy for the existing southern route. Shaw Business also maintains a marine route
consisting of approximately 330 route kilometres (200 miles) located on two fibres from Seattle
to Vancouver Mainland (via Victoria). In addition, Shaw Business has secured additional
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