ROW Short Takes

WaveRider unveils latest wirelesss access productWaveRider Communications unveiled plans on Nov. 9 for its LMS 4000, the latest generation in its Last Mile Solution products. It is touting the product as the "first fixed wireless product to operate using multiple frequencies to deliver a range of Internet access speeds" to both business and residential subscribers. The product integrates the company’s non-line-of-sight LMS 3000, which delivers Internet access at speeds of 1.5 Mbps to small business and residential customers, and its LMS 2000, which connects commercial subscribers at speeds of up to 8 Mbps. Already, Okotoks Alberta-based Platinum Communications is using the LMS 4000 to offer customers Internet access to its large business customers using the 2.4 GHz frequency, and to its small business and residential users in the 900 MHz spectrum. Telesat raises $125 million in public offeringTelesat Canada announced Nov. 8 that it has raised $125 million in a public offering of notes. The notes, sold only in Canada, come due Nov. 7, 2008. Telesat said that it would use the proceeds raised for "general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, and pending such use the proceeds will be used to reduce borrowings under the company’s credit facility." Yankee Group predicts HF fixed wireless to hit $1.9 BThe Yankee Group says that the value of high-frequency (HF) fixed wireless solutions will grow to $1.9 billion in 2006. In its recent report, High-Frequency Fixed Wireless: More Than Just LMDS, the research and consulting firm notes that there is a market for HF point-to-multipoint (PMP) products, despite disillusionment caused by slow growth in 2001. It says, however, that the industry must resolve a number of issues, including customer premises equipment declining to a cost point of $2,500. This would allow carriers to service twice as many customers from a single base station, the report notes. As well, Lindsay Schroth, author of the report, says, "Carriers must make use of better deployment strategies – employing HF PMP fixed wireless solutions only where the technology makes sense. This means that HF PMP fixed wireless solutions are likely to be used in coordination with other wireless and landline infrastructure." Motorola opens development centre in MontrealMotorola Inc. announced Nov. 6 that it had opened its first centre of excellence – one devoted to software development – in Montreal’s Cîté Multimédia. The Cîté was created to stimulate the development of high-tech companies and to offer career opportunities to young people in the city. Companies involved in the project benefit from a number of government programs, including tax credits, an income tax exemption and tax holiday. The Motorola Inc. Software Centre, which is part of Motorola’s Software Group, will research and build the basic elements that constitute future communications devices and multimedia capability, and new and emerging applications, according to Motorola. C-Com inks deal with DownEast to offer Internet Ottawa-based C-Com Satellite Systems Inc. on Nov. 6 announced a long-term agreement with Halifax-based DownEast Communications that will see the latter company re-sell C-Com’s two-way high-speed Internet access by satellite service on the east coast. DownEast will sell the product through its over 50 locations in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. WebTech introduces enhanced GPRS-based data servicesGlobal wireless vehicle services provider WebTech Wireless Inc. says it has introduced North America’s first general packet radio service (GPRS)-based suite of data services for fleets and mobile workers. In an announcement made Nov. 6, the company said that the addition of high-speed data network capability of GSM/GPRS would provide services such as Internet connectivity, real-time GPS fleet tracking, navigation and m-commerce services (invoicing, credit card validation) to WebTech’s existing suite services. Certicom cuts more staffWireless security software company Certicom Corp. has laid off another 30% of its staff as it tries to cope in the current economy. In a release, the company stated that the most recent round of layoffs is "a strategic realignment of its business units and distribution network, a re-focus on its core technology offerings, and other changes aimed at improving operational efficiency." Wi-LAN begins shipping 3.5GHz broadband productCalgary-based Wi-LAN Inc. has begun shipping its latest fixed wireless access product, the BWS 3500. The company announced general availability of the product at the TMA 2001 Conference and Exhibition in the U.K. late last month. The system operates in the licensed 3.5 GHz range, which is a commonly used band in Europe for providing fixed wireless telephony and Internet access. The non-line-of-sight product is based on the company proprietary W-OFDM technology that enables high speeds and is spectrally efficient. Range between units can typically be about 15 km.

ROW Short Takes

News | 11/13/2001 5:00 am EST

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