ROW Short Takes

Globalstar launches satellite packet data servicesGlobalstar Canada is introducing a two-way data satellite communication system. Globalstar Commercial Data Services uses the company’s satellite data modem (GSP-1620). This moves the packet from Internet and email access to supervisory control and data acquisition, telemetry, fleet management and asset tracking markets. Canadian companies deploy wireless LAN in Latin AmericaTwo Quebec firms, Colubris Networks Inc and Convergia Inc, have joined forces to deploy wireless LAN technology to ASPs in Latin America. Colubris designs and makes high-speed LAN router products that target the business and public markets while Convergia is an international wholesale carrier and service provider. The companies expect to provide next-generation IP-based voice and data services to global markets. Bell joins with Compaq for wireless solutionsBell Mobility has signed an agreement with Compaq Canada Corp regarding wireless products. Bell clients will be able to access wireless data and Internet services from Compaq computing devices. Similarly, Compaq’s customers will be able to access features on their devices through Bell’s CDMA network. Wi-LAN gains European certification for access systemCalgary’s Wi-LAN Inc has received European approval for its BWS Series 3000 broadband wireless access system. The European Telecommunications Standards Institute has given the company permission to use its product in the 3 GHz band. This paves the wave for deployment in Europe and other parts of the world that use the same standards. Short-term 3G prospects bleak, researchers sayThe short term prospects for wireless 3G are not good, a study by Cahners In-Stat Group finds. The researchers say high costs for spectrum, delays in handset introductions and slow consumer uptake are the main culprits. The group expects 3G services will make up 4.7% of the global wireless market this year. Bluetooth future is rosy, In-Stat survey findsThe market for Bluetooth products should leap to 955 million units by 2005, a new study says. Cahners In-Stat Group predicts the radio and baseband silicon market will grow to $4.4 billion by the same year. It expects heavy growth in the adapter/card market and the integrated RF/baseband chip solution sector. IDC wins $750K contract from SkyOnlineOttawa’s International Datacasting Corp has sold 500 of its DVB satellite data receivers to SkyOnline Inc of McLean VA. The American firm will use the equipment to expand its hybrid satellite/wireless local loop distribution network. The deal is worth $750,000. In other IDC news, the company has signed a deal with international specialty TV network WETV. WETV will transmit its programming to Africa and Europe through IDC’s broadband multimedia SuperFlex technology uplinked from its Ottawa teleport. The five-year agreement is estimated to be worth between $3.5 and $8 million, depending on options exercised. Fidelity Investments adds more wireless dataFidelity Investments Canada Ltd has added more features to its national wireless web. It now offers market indices and price quotations for third-party mutual funds. The service is now accessible for RIM subscribers. Wi-LAN gets $7.5 million in backing from RCCWi-LAN Inc of Calgary has secured $7.5 million from a public offering of 937,500 units. Research Capital Corp agreed to pay $8 per unit. The underwriter has an option to buy a further 625,000 units. Rogers AT&T launches three promo campaignsRoger AT&T Wireless has introduced three new campaigns to promote its iD wireless product. The iD Me page on the web site features trivia questions; the What’s Your Musical iD contest with MuchMusic offers concert tickets, and the Me and My iD promotion with What! Magazine seeks poems, stories, video, paintings and other creative devices. The iD product is aimed at 12-24 year olds. Telus and Bolt form partnership to target teen marketUniversal communications platform firm Bolt has linked up with Telus Mobility to provide its proprietary suite of tools through the telco’s wireless web service. The preferred audience for the services is 15- to 24-year olds. Young people on the PCS and Mike networks can use the service to access Bolt’s tools on web-ready phones. Wireless LAN market should be healthy, report suggestsThe Cahners In-Stat Group says the wireless LAN market should show healthy growth in the next four years. By 2005, total end-use revenues will reach nearly US$4.6 billion. Prices will likely fall quickly and steeply this year, making the products more attractive to consumers. Vortek to make smaller, faster computer chipsVortek Industries Ltd of Vancouver is fast-tracking the development of its semiconductor technology. The iRTP system will permit the manufacture of faster and smaller computer chips. The expansion is being aided by a $3.9-million repayable investment from Industry Canada’s Technology Partnerships Canada. Cell-Loc forms joint venture with Asset TraxCell-Loc Inc of Calgary has signed a memorandum of understanding with Asset Trax that will see Asset Trax have sole rights to the asset tracking business in Cell-Loc’s Austin TX and Calgary markets. Cell-Loc, a wireless location technology developer, will receive $2 million in fees and royalties. Asset Trax is a wireless location-based systems integration firm. Telesystem seeking amendments to credit facilityMontreal’s Telesystem International Wireless Inc is in negotiations to amend its senior secured revolving credit facility. The current deal expires in July. The aggregate borrowing capacity is estimated at US$128 million, of which US$58.5 million is drawn. Sierra Wireless shows profits in Q1Sierra Wireless Inc is reporting its third consecutive profitable quarter. For Q1 of 2001, it announced revenues of $22.4 million compared to $6.9 million a year previous. This is a jump of 225%. New revenue streams predicted from m-commerceMobile electronic commerce, also known as m-commerce, represents new revenue streams. But a survey says early growth will take place at a much slower rate than initially projected. The results come from a report done by Cahners In-Stat Group. New technology platform launched by SR TelecomSR Telecom has unveiled a new hybrid-technology platform and a product to go with it. MetroFlex allows both packet data and circuit switched systems to be transported simultaneously on the same airlink. The broadband fixed wireless access system is being marketed to small and medium businesses. Paradigm licenses L-Biz system to MN-based companyParadigm Advanced Technologies Inc’s PowerLOC division has signed an agreement with International Dispatch Centre (IDC) under which IDC will purchase and license the L-Biz system. The deal enables IDC to offer its products and call centre services to national accounts and retail chains in the United States and internationally. The agreement also gives Paradigm a larger presence in the business-to-consumer and business-to-business marketplaces. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Symagery closes $20M venture financingOttawa-based Symagery Microsystems has closed a $20-million round of venture financing led by VenGrowth Capital. A spin-off of Semiconductor Insights, the company designs imaging camera modules and supporting software for the wireless handheld device market. Symagery will concentrate on bringing camera and scanning capabilities to various

ROW Short Takes

News | April 30, 2001

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