ROW Short Takes

Nomination deadline extended for CANARIE IWAY AwardsThe nomination deadline for the 2001 CANARIE IWAY Awards has been extended to Jan. 26 from Jan. 19. The awards honour individuals or groups/organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to the advanced Internet. The award categories are: New Technology Development, Application of Technology, Community Service, Adaptive Technologies and Public Leadership. The Awards Gala will be held in Vancouver April 23, 2001. For more information on the awards, visit http://www.canarie.ca/iway. (Decima Publishing is a Communications Partner in the 2001 CANARIE IWAY Awards.)Look implements new customer service systemLook Communications Inc has completed the installations of its new customer service infrastructure that features advanced telephony and billing platforms to improve service of customers. Avaya Canada Corp, recently spun off from Lucent Technologies Canada, was selected to provide a multimedia telephony system and Portal Software Inc was chosen to implement a consolidated billing system. Bell Mobility introduces handset with colour screen Bell Mobility has announced that the industry’s first colour screen-enabled wireless phone is now available to its customers. The Motorola Timeport P8767 is the latest tri-mode phone with wireless Internet and features a colour screen and a micro-browser. The sleek pocket-sized phone offers all the benefits of a tri-mode phone including access to the company’s PCS network, analog network and access to wireless Internet and data services. Fineline breaks into broadband wireless marketWaterloo ON-based Fineline Technologies is breaking into the MDS market with its Trilogy system. The company says it can attain speeds of 360 Mbs in a supercell configuration of up to 12 or more sectors. Company president and CEO, Einar Fiskvatn says in a multi-cell configuration, the company can exceed any capacity that is required in a high density area. Motorola opens new Ottawa development centreMotorola Computer Group of Canada, Mississauga ON, has responded to the high growth in telecommunications in the Ottawa area by opening a new office in Nepean ON. The 350 sq-m facility will accommodate the expanding growth in the demand for Internet and wireless applications. MCG Canada’s growth has exceeded the 40 per cent-mark over the past two years. That growth can largely be attributed to the company’s collaboration with many of the world’s top OEMs which are located in Ottawa.Rogers expands digital coverage in Ottawa suburb of KanataRogers Wireless Communications has expanded coverage of its PCS network into Kanata, a suburb of Ottawa. Now the many commuters that travel from the west end of the city to downtown or vice versa will be able to get complete digital coverage. IDC launches new broadband satellite receiversInternational Datacasting Corp has introduced a series of DVB satellite receivers that boast higher performance, better functionality and manageability of the company’s Superflex datacasting networks. Dubbed the SR2001, it can provide a throughput rate of 50 Mbs and new terminal mode allows the installer to connect the receivers up to PCs and laptops via the COM port. Paradigm reports significant milestone in South AmericaParadigm Advanced Technologies Inc, Toronto, and its PowerLOC subsidiary have passed a significant milestone in Phase I of its project with ServiTRACK Tecnologias CA of Caracas Venezuela. The milestone includes the complete testing of the L-Biz architecture and specifically its GPS-enabled wireless location devices, tracker hardware, software and global-reach connectivity solutions. Telus and Scotiabank launch wireless bankingTelus Mobility and Scotiabank have introduced a wireless banking solution to the bank’s customers who use Telus’ i-Web compatible phones. The new service is part of the bank’s strategy of offering its customers a greater choice of banking methods. OA Group installs Airlink system in northern AlbertaA recent awardee of spectrum in the 3.4 GHz band, OA Group Inc has completed its first full-scale residential installation of its Airlink high-speed wireless Internet access system. Located in a small rural town north of Edmonton, the company reports that many orders have already been received to hook up the services. In the last eight months, OA Group has built 13 Airlink wireless tower-and-access locations to serve commercial customers in a number of areas in Alberta. Following successful residential testing, the company has now embarked upon a home-level subscriber drive. SUMmedia.com obtains equity financingE-coupon company SUMmedia.com Inc has finalized a strategic investment agreement with Clayhill Ltd, a subsidiary of Internet pioneer e-KONG Group Ltd and Jade West Ltd. While terms of the investment were not revealed, the influx of cash will enable the company to continue its efforts to sign on more ASP agreements. It also makes e-KONG, the company’s single largest shareholder. Cell-Loc helps create wireless location associationCalgary-based Cell-Loc Inc played a major role in the formation of the Wireless Location Industry Association which will focus on educating the public, lobbying regulators, endorsing standards, tracking privacy issues and developing self standards. Founding members are: Cell-Loc, SignalSoft, GoAmerica Communications, Cambridge Positioning Systems, Zero Knowledge Systems, Indexonly Technologies, Iprox and ViaVis Mobile Solutions. Nortel assists in developing 3G wireless modemsNortel Networks Corp has agreed to help both Sierra Wireless Inc and Xircom to independently develop the industry’s first third generation wireless modems based on the UMTS standard. The development of these modems will accelerate the availability of anywhere, anytime access to rich media and other content currently offered on the web. Nortel will fund both of the projects which are slated to begin market trials in 2002 and general availability in the same year.

ROW Short Takes

News | January 8, 2001

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