RoW Short Takes

WaveRider selected by WirelessON for network buildsWirelessON, Mississauga ON, has chosen to use LMS 2000 gear from WaveRider Communications Inc for its network launch in Calgary and to expand service in Ontario. WirelessON will buy two systems from WaveRider to build out a network in the Foothills Industrial Park in Calgary and the Airport Corporate Centre, and in nearby industrial parks. WirelessON plans to continue its network expansion throughout Canada during 2001. MDSI to provide wireless systems to ServiceMagic.comMDSI Mobile Data Solutions Inc, Richmond BC, will supply its eService.com mobile commerce systems to ServiceMagic.com’s network of home service professionals. Personnel cover more than 485 home service needs. MDSI systems will power online self-service appointment scheduling, resource optimization, dispatch and service management to connect home service companies with their customers over the web. The eService.com commerce platform enables service companies to easily automate complex scheduling rules and requirements into a system that ensures appointments get scheduled correctly each and every time.SUMmedia enters into deal with InformationPages.comSUMmedia.com Inc has entered into a marketing agreement with InformationPages.com, an application service provider that makes Yellow Pages directories available on the Internet through an intuitive and familiar interface that resembles the printed version of the business directory. Under terms of the agreement, InformationPages.com will market SUMmedia’s ecoupons and web pages as part of its Internet-based Yellow Pages platform. The service is targeted at publishers of Yellow Pages directories. Both companies will share revenue stemming from the new service.SRT reports lower revenue, shipments slow downSR Telecom Inc has posted lower revenue numbers for the 2000Q3. Company executives say that a number of orders that were to have materialized are taking longer than expected. However, margins on equipment sales have remained strong.Rogers introduces two-way messaging over digital networkRogers AT&T Wireless subscribers can now send and receive short messages up to 150 characters in length over their digital PCS phones. The two-way text messaging will be made easier using an intelligent keypad technology – predictive text – that is integrated into the new generation of Rogers PCS phones. U.S.-based AT&T Wireless announced a similar offering enabling Rogers’ customers that roam south of the border to use the text messaging service out of Canada. Predictive text greatly reduces the number of keypad strokes it takes to compose a message by predicting the word that is being typed. There are several packages current subscribers can choose from to activate the service. The service will, however, be free of charge for a limited time. Rogers has also extended digital coverage into Sault Ste. Marie ON giving it the largest digital footprint of any Canadian carrier in Ontario and Quebec.Sierra Wireless and PacketVideo announce marketing agreementSierra Wireless Inc and PacketVideo have unveiled a joint marketing agreement under which both companies will market wireless video applications to mobile corporate users and consumers. As part of the agreement, PacketVideo software will be bundled with Sierra Wireless’ wireless modem products. PacketVideo software enables users to access a variety of audio and video applications including, news and information, financial, sports, short entertainment clips and music videos, among other applications through Sierra Wireless’ AirCard 300 wireless modem.Paradigm and EverTrac enter into joint developmentParadigm Advanced Technologies Inc, Toronto, and EverTrac, Islandia NY, have entered into a strategic partnership to develop and deliver GPS- and wireless-based ebusiness solutions to the rapidly growing location-based services market. Paradigm subsidiary PowerLOC will provide an integrated "out of the box" solution targeted at business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications. The L-Biz location system will be integrated with EverTrac’s CA-Unicenter TNG product. EverTrac, a joint venture of Computer Associates and United Microelectronics, provides location-aware ebusiness and tracking solutions.Telus Mobility introduces web mail and PIM servicesTelus Mobility has unveiled the i-Web mail and personal information management (PIM) services which offer subscribers instant email access through their web-enabled cellular phones. Subscribers in Alberta and British Columbia can now send, receive, reply, forward and delete email through the company’s i-Web mircobrowser.Unique Broadband settles law suit against PixStreamUnique Broadband Systems Inc, Concord ON, has settled its law suit against PixStream Inc, Waterloo ON. Upon completion of the acquisition of PixStream by Cisco Systems Inc, UBS will receive $25 million in cash.Norsat introduces new broadband satellite productsAt Broadband 2000, in Paris at the end of October, Norsat International Inc, Burnaby BC, introduced an expanded satellite broadband connectivity product line for European customers. The new products will enable Norsat to provide a fully integrated, end-to-end network solution supporting interactive multimedia applications over satellite networks. The terminals will expand the functionality of the Norsat outdoor unit, currently being delivered for use on the ASTRA BBI network, by providing the full interface between a satellite and a PC or other device. Terminals will be available for both the small office/home office and advanced consumer markets in the later half of next year. Traditional consumer versions will be ready in 2002.OA Group acquires Fox SystemsOA Group has issued a letter to acquire all of the common shares of Fox Systems Inc, an application service provider in Edmonton. An expanded customer base is the primary reason for the acquisition.COM DEV gets go ahead on dealThe Space division of COM DEV International Ltd has received the authority to proceed on a contract worth more than US$20 million. The contract is with a major North American space contractor and calls for the production of microwave filter systems. A formal agreement will be signed in 30 days.Microcell links up with CIBC in bank machine replenishmentPrepaid customers of the Fido service offered by Microcell Solutions can now fill up their phone’s air time at more than 3,000 CIBC bank machines across Canada. The addition of these refill locations brings the total of places where prepaid Fido subscribers can refill their accounts to 6,000 in Canada. When the action is completed through an instant teller, an activation code is printed on the receipt which can then be entered into the Fido phone. Much in the same way a regular voucher is used, the minutes are added automatically to the account.

RoW Short Takes

News | 11/13/2000 5:00 am EST

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