RoW Short Takes

Wireless data communications to lead a PDA sales explosionAccording to market research firm, Cahners In-Stat Group, growing wireless data communications will lead to an explosion in the sales of mobile computing devices, including handheld and palmtop PCs. The new mobile computing form factors will make wireless Internet access a more common phenomenon. Due to the PDAs versatility and their affordable prices, sales of these handheld devices should go even higher. Cahners predicts that Palm will continue to own the lion’s share of sales, but that it will erode slightly from 72% in 1999 to 65% in 2000. The group says this is the result of more robust sales from Handspring and Windows CE-based platform devices. It estimates that the worldwide mobile computing device market will increase 36% from 1999 to 2000. Telus introduces new rugged Mike digital wireless phoneTelus Mobility has unveiled a new super-rugged Mike r750plus wireless phone from Motorola. It is a tough multifunctional device made for clients who work in physically demanding environments such as public safety, construction and the oil and gas industries. Like all Mike phones, it has the two-way radio capability, paging function, Internet microbrowser, email and fax services. The phone features a hands-free speaker phone, rubber molded grip, large raised button, emergency call button, selectable backlight timer, missed call indicator, last 10 numbers sent and received, and more. Nortel expands wireless labs and production in BrazilNortel Networks Corp will expand wireless manufacturing operations in Brazil by adding GSM equipment and new production capabilities for optical Internet products at its Systems House in Campinas. Reaffirming its commitment to serving the Brazilian market with domestically manufactured products and to building the high-performance Internet, Nortel will also establish a new wireless Internet lab in that city. The Campinas Systems House plays a key role for Nortel in delivering high-quality Internet products to customers quickly, says Chahram Bolouri, president global operations for Nortel. Norigen signs deal; moves into Montreal marketNorigen Communications Inc has entered into an agreement with a Quebec real estate group, Alexis Nihon, to provide advanced communications services to office towers in Montreal’s downtown business district. More than 10,000 people choose BlackBerry deviceAccording to Rogers AT&T Wireless Inc, more than 10,000 people have made the BlackBerry their device-of-choice for wireless messaging, Internet access and personal information management. This milestone was reached in only seven months of Rogers selling the device in its boutiques across the country. The BlackBerry is manufactured by Research in Motion Ltd. Aliant turns on wireless web in the Atlantic regionsThe mobility companies of Aliant Telecom can now access the web through their digital PCS phones throughout Aliant’s digital coverage area in Atlantic Canada. Cellular WireFree is available to current and new customers for 15 cents a minute for time spent using the Internet or sending and receiving email on your phone, regardless of the time of day. And for convenience, voice minutes and web time are itemized separately on the customer’s bill to make tracking easy. This is the latest in Aliant’s WireFree solutions. The first three, introduced at Softworld 2000 in Halifax in October, were WireFree Email, WireFree Web and WireFree LAN Access for handheld computing devices, pocket PCs and laptop computers. MTS launches Internet access on the cell phoneThe mobility arm of Manitoba Telecom Services has launched Mobile Browser which enables their customers to have access to the Internet in the palm of their hand. The main browser provides the user with access to major portal sites such as MyWinnipeg.com, Sympatico and canada.com. Users can also get access to banking, information and entertainment services. MTS is following the trend in the industry to provide its customers with online access via their cell phones. It was only a matter of time until MTS launched the service, as it is 20% owned by telecommunications giant BCE Inc. WaveRider makes first sale to Indian service providerWaveRider Communications Inc, Toronto, has made its first sale into India. Capital Technologies Ltd has purchased the company’s LMS2000 wireless Internet access system and NCL1155 wireless bridge/routers. Capital will establish a demonstration site in Hyderabad. The India-based company will install the LMS2000 system in the first quarter of next year. Captial plans to purchase additional equipment to market and to distribute to carriers and major businesses for deployment throughout the country. Global Data introduces cellular technology for remote accessThe StarComm Products group of Toronto-based Global Data has introduced a family of wireless cellular remote access devices. The devices extend the applications for both of the company’s StarPort and StarSpeed product lines. The new cellular modems, which are designed specifically for telemetry and remote network management applications, are the result of several months of product development by the StarComm group in conjunction with Conexant Systems Inc. Control F-1 joins phone.com standard for eSupportCalgary-based Control F-1 has announced wireless compatibility on the phone.com standard. This will enable technicians using the company’s eSupport solution to be increasingly mobile which can elevate the level of service from simple helpdesk support to personal support through the assistance of the web. A technician can be notified on their PDA or cell phone when a client requests support, says Control F-1 CTO Vinay Gidwaney. CDS/Prometheus expands broadband wireless in OntarioCDS/Prometheus (CDSP) and Storm Internet Services, both subsidiaries of International Datacasting Corp, Ottawa, have started construction on a new 45 Mbs backbone from Ottawa to Brockville ON. This new corridor will bring two-way symmetrical high-speed wireless Internet service to the southwestern part of Eastern Ontario. Communities to be served include, Almonte, Brockville, Carleton Place, Chesterville, Kemptville, Perth and others. Paradigm signs term sheet with Venezuelan companyThe PowerLOC division of Paradigm Advanced Technologies Inc, Toronto, has signed a term sheet with ServiTRACK Tecnologias CA, Caracus Venezuela which could potentially lead to the sale and licensing of wireless location technology to the South American firm. Under the contemplated agreement, PowerLOC would provide its L-Biz location technology and products to ServiTRACK which will act as a location service provider. Speedware has been accepted to the WAP ForumSpeedware Corp, Montreal, has been recognized for its development of WAP-based applications and has been accepted into the WAP Forum. Through its participation in the forum, the company expects to gain exposure to the organizations and activities that will define the future of WAP development. Speedware will contribute its mobile technology and knowledge to further the ongoing evolution of WAP standards. Spectrum Signal awarded satellite contract from HughesSpectrum Signal Processing Inc, Burnaby BC, has been awarded a major contract from Hughes Network Systems. Spectrum will supply Hughes with the flexComm product, a signal processing technology, that will go into the next generation of satellite base stations for both its enterprise and consumer divisions. Details of the contract were not disclosed, but the number of flexComm signal processing engines will vary from 20 to 100 or more for each base station. Volume shipments are to begin in 2001Q2. PMC moves into wireless infrastructure spacePMC-Sierra has introduced its first product for the wireless infrastructure market and more specifically for third generation wireless standards. The PALADIN-10 allows traffic to be transmitted through a new digitally controlled power amplifier architecture that eliminates transmitter distortions and improves spectral efficiency in base transceiver stations. Existing analog amplifier designs can be transformed into multi-carrier capable, digitally controlled wide-band power amplifiers able to handle the higher data rates and increased call capacity of 3G wireless services.

RoW Short Takes

News | 12/11/2000 5:00 am EST

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

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us