RoW Short Takes

Bell Mobility to offer BlackBerry deviceBell Mobility and Research in Motion have signed an agreement that will enable Bell to offer RIM’s BlackBerry wireless email solution over its ARDIS wireless data network. Additionally, Bell has partnered with Neomar Inc to put Neomar’s WAP microbrowser on the BlackBerry handhelds which enables consumers to access more than 40 wireless sites on Bell’s Mobile Browser service. Bell has also announced that it will provide access to MSN Hotmail on its PCS phones and RIM’s Blackberry device. Clearnet introduces flat-rate wireless InternetClearnet Communications Inc is the first Canadian wireless operator to introduce flat-rate, unlimited use of wireless Internet services to its customers. While it is still unclear whether this will make the wireless Internet more attractive, it should, at least, make it more accessible. Now both PCS and Mike clients can surf the Internet on their digital wireless phones as often as they want for a low monthly fee. The company also signed up several new content partners including The Weather Network, Toronto.com, Bloomberg.com and more. Rogers and Netgraphe sign wireless access dealRogers AT&T Wireless Inc and Netgraphe Inc have signed a content distribution agreement. In conjunction with Netgraphe’s Internet portal InfiniT.com, Rogers’ customers will receive news and information including regional, national and international news, business, sports and much more from TVA via InfiniT.com directly on their wireless device. The French-language content will be available to all of Rogers’ subscribers either through PCS phones, two-way messaging and wireless data services. ESP Media to offer sponsored mobile servicesMontreal-based ESP Media Inc is poised to be the first telecom company to offer sponsored mobile services in the Canadian market. The company is partnering with Microcell Telecommunications Inc, Intasys Corp and Zoom Media for the project. It will target the young adults by offering customized messages on the handset. In return, consumers will get discounted pre-paid airtime. The service will be introduced in Montreal within a few weeks and service in Toronto and Vancouver will be turned on later this fall. The company also plans to launch the new service in the U.S. in the first half of 2001. Look purchases MCS equipment from Hybrid NetworksLook Communications Inc has ordered MCS communications systems from Hybrid Networks Inc of San Jose CA. The company will use the equipment as part of the roll out of two-way fixed broadband wireless Internet service throughout Canada. Phase I roll out will be in Toronto, Oshawa and Vancouver over the next three months. Look currently uses Hybrid’s equipment in 13 markets across Canada for one-way and two-way fixed broadband wireless access. Mitec unveils new product at PCIA Global XChange showMontreal-based Mitec Telecom Inc has unveiled a new multi-carrier power amplifier (MCPA) targeting the 2.5 G and 3G markets. The 25 W rack module was introduced at the PCIA Global XChange trade show in Chicago last week. Mitec’s first product was designed to support CDMA 2000 (SR3) applications in the 1900 MHz frequency band. The module is adaptable and will work with other 3G air interface standards. EDispatch.com signs major agreement with Bell MobilityEDispatch.com Wireless Data Inc, Vancouver, has signed an agreement with Bell Mobility that enables Bell customers to log onto the Internet from a PCS phone. This is a significant win for the Vancouver-based company representing a major breakthrough into the Canadian market. The first "Internet-hosted" dispatch service will allow Bell customers to enjoy the benefits of computer automated dispatch without significant outlay of capital on hardware and software. Norigen acquires Canadian systems integratorNorigen Communications Inc has expanded its service capabilities through the acquisition of Compugen Services Ltd, a division of Compugen Systems Ltd. The deal creates a new kind of company that will offer customers an integrated communications and information systems portfolio. Compugen Services has nearly 400 employees that provide Internet infrastructure services including desktop, server and network configuration, LAN/WAN design as well as IT support and integration services. NRC establishes 10-member research group in SydneyThe National Research Council has established a 10-person research group in Sydney NS to expand on the growing technology cluster in the region. The investment is part of the federal government’s Atlantic Canada Investment Partnership unveiled by the Prime Minister on June 29. The NRC research group will be part of the Ottawa-based Institute for Information Technology and will concentrate on wireless networking. The group will be housed at the University College of Cape Breton. Paradigm receives grant from federal governmentThe PowerLOC subsidiary of Paradigm Advanced Technologies Inc, of Toronto, has received a grant of nearly $500,000 from the Industrial Research Assistance Program. The money will be used to fund ongoing R&D activities in wireless communications and locations technologies. R&D will continue in developing advanced GPS locating devices that communicate through existing wireless infrastructure such as cellular and PCS networks. SiGEM creates subsidiary south of the borderSiGEM Inc has made some significant announcements in the past couple of weeks that improve both its market and financial presence. Last month, SiGEM announced that the Toronto Stock Exchange had conditionally approved the company for a listing on Canada’s largest exchange. More recently, it unveiled details of its U.S. expansion and named Scottsdale AZ as the new American headquarters for its subsidiary, SiGEM Corp. IDC to build broadband lab for a Loral space firmInternational Datacasting Corp, Ottawa, has been chosen by Space Systems/Loral (SSL) to design, develop and install its new Broadband Network Emulation Laboratory (BNEL). The is the first phase of the project with an initial value of more than $1.25 million. The BNEL will be used to simulate next generation broadband networks which will enable the company to improve designs for both satellite and ground-based equipment. The work is expected to lead to the development of new Ka-band applications, two-way broadband satellite communications and more. Globalstar expands roaming and service coverageGlobalstar Canada has extended roaming coverage in Australia and South America and expanded service coverage in parts of the Caribbean, Alaska and the North Atlantic including southern Greenland and Iceland. Consumers will now get 100 per cent coverage in Australia and up to 200 nautical miles off the coast. Gateways in Venezuela and Argentina have enabled an expanded service coverage throughout major parts of South America. PCS and Moby Dark to provide streaming videoPCS Innovations Inc and Moby Dark, a division of Galaxy Online Inc, are teaming up to provide streaming video and audio to handheld devices. Moby Dark will incorporate mobileMAGIC into its live streaming media server, LIFE stre.am server, which will enable the broadcast of high-resolution audio and video to a wide range of wireless devices.Sierra Wireless and GoAmerica team up in handheld devicesVancouver-based Sierra Wireless Inc and GoAmerica Inc have teamed up to provide wireless data and Internet access for the Handspring Visor handheld computer. The solution will combine GOAmerica’s Go.Web service with the Visor PDA and a new wireless adapter developed by Sierra Wireless which has been specifically designed to interface with the PDA’s Springboard slot. GoAmerica has entered into an initial supply agreement with Sierra Wireless for the new adapter which is expected to be commercially available in 2000Q1. TimesThree turns on location network in Austin TXCell-Loc Inc subsidiary TimesThree Inc has turned on its location network in Austin and is already generating location data for subscribers. The network uses a complicated formula based on a technique called time difference of arrival which was developed and patented by Cell-Loc. Deployment in Dallas is underway and is expected to be turned on soon. Network builds in four other major U.S. cities are also in construction. Upcoming eventsMarch 21/22 in Richmond Hill: Canadian Satellite Users Association 2001 Magical Digital Tour. Presentations at the CSUA event will range from image quality, aspect ratio, distribution, Ka applications, regulatory issues, enhanced programming data and interactivity. Conference will take place at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites. For more information call (905) 826-3451, email csua@bbandc.com or visit the website at www.satgames.org.

RoW Short Takes

News | October 2, 2000

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us