RoW Update

U.S. defense department to get help on spectrum issuesThe U.S. Department of Defense has hired a telecom industry veteran to look after spectrum-related issues while it continues to joust with the commercial wireless industry over access to valuable slices of airwaves. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld named Steven Price as DOD’s deputy assistant secretary of Defense for spectrum and command, control and communications policy. This appointment marks the first time spectrum has taken on such a significant role within the DOD.Defense officials are concerned that a major chunk of spectrum in the 1755-1850 MHz range could be reallocated for commercial uses, such as third generation wireless, forcing military communications systems to migrate to another band potentially costing the department millions if not billions of dollars.At this point, it’s unclear how Price’s appointment will affect discussions between Canada and the United States in identifying a mutually acceptable band for third generation wireless. More details: Rumsfeld names spectrum czar Rumsfeld names CEO to be spectrum protector Upstart tower company gone from the radarIt appears that upstart tower company Canadian Tower has disappeared from the radar screen. Attempts to contact the Montreal-based company were unsuccessful. The company’s web site apparently no longer exists and its phone number is no longer in service.The company was created as a limited partnership between Boston-based tower giant American Tower and Telemedia Inc. in October 1999 and was officially launched in March of 2000.In previous interviews, company executives had told Report on Wireless on numerous occasions that a huge deal was in the works. It seems, however, that that major deal never came through.Canadian Tower was in the running to acquire the more than 700 transmission towers of the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., but the Crown corporation backed out of selling the system when it couldn’t get fair market value for them.Company executives told RoW at the time that the CBC wanted a company to take over not only the ownership of the towers, but the operation of them as well. Canadian Tower was only interested in owning the plant. More details: Industry Canada corporations database Tower business model ready to take off American Towers and Telemedia team to create new player in tower leasing business Internal CBC reports reveals strategy for ending over-the-air transmissions Mitec unveils first 3G wireless productMontreal-based Mitec Telecom has introduced its first third-generation wireless product. The company has received a $1.1-million order from a major wireless network provider for GSM 900/UMTS diplexers. The initial order is only the first part of an expected $3-million supply agreement.Mitec is well positioned to capitalize on the 3G marketplace as it recently completed the acquisition of certain parts of COM DEV International Ltd.’s wireless business. That deal was completed at the end of last year.The company’s diplexer combines GSM and W-CDMA signals, explains Jeff Joseph, Mitec’s North American director of marketing and sales. Capital expenditure deployment costs can be reduced by being able to use existing 2.5G network installations, he adds.Mitec anticipates releasing additional 3G-related products this year. 724 Solutions lowers revenue expectations724 Solutions has lowered revenue expectations for its fourth quarter, downgrading it from US$7-$8 million to US$5.6-$6 million. Due to the shortfall in revenue, the Toronto-based company also expects to cut operating expenses by another 20 per cent through job cuts, reduction in facilities, and other expenditures. More details. L3 Technology moving into the public domainL3 Technology is planning to go public through a reverse takeover of a company that trades on the Canadian Venture Exchange. L3, based in Vancouver, has signed a letter of intent with eTV Technology Inc."We are very excited with the opportunity to move L3 into the public market," Naiel Kanno, president and CEO, stated in a news release. "Not only does this open doors to access the investment community but also provides an excellent vehicle for aggressive expansion through acquisitions and partnerships."L3 developed the iMatrix wireless software development platform, which uses Java as its building block technology, that helps companies integrate a wireless component into their IT infrastructure. More details. Belnet forms wireless divisionBelnet Communications Inc. is expanding into the wireless domain and has formed a wireless equipment division. The Ottawa-based company has formed partnerships with the following three firms that will allow it to expand into this high-growth area: Montreal-based Colubris Networks, a developer of wireless LAN routers; Foundry, a supplier of layer 3 switches; and free space optics company Plaintree Systems.Belnet has been a provider of structured cabling and network systems since 1985 and expanding into the wireless space gives the company the ability to deliver network connectivity with a wider variety of systems. More details: Belnet web site Press release Plaintree lands financing from major stakeholderPlaintree Systems, a developer of free space optics communications systems, has received a $1.3-million injection of cash from one of its major stakeholders. The Targa Group Inc. agreed to purchase nearly four million units at 34 cents each raising Targa’s interest in the company from 37 per cent to 39 per cent.Plaintree had hoped to sell more than 8.5 million shares for $3 million, but that plan was dropped. More details: Plaintree completes $1.3 million financing Plaintree announces up to $3 million financing TMI Communications partner, Motient, files for Chapter 11Motient Corp., Reston VA, has filed for Chapter 11 protection so it can implement a restructuring program that would see the company’s debt and interest payments eliminated. Motient is TMI Communications' partner in Mobile Satellite Ventures, which recently received regulatory approval to merge.Fifty per cent of senior note holders have already agreed to vote in favour of the proposed restructuring. Motient hopes to emerge from the restructuring this spring. More details.

RoW Update

News | January 14, 2002

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