RoW Short Takes

Decima Publishing April 2002 Reader PollThe Canadian Cable Television Association (CCTA) has proposed a number of reforms to the CRTC as part of a broader Parliamentary review of the Broadcasting Act. The following chart illustrates the most important changes needed, according to an informal poll of Decima Publishing readers. Making the regulatory process more open, transparent and accountable had the highest rating with 43% wanting change in that area. Key Indicators from Wireless Carriers, Q1 2002 Revenue (millions)Net AdditionsTotal SubscribersChurnARPUMicrocell$14026,5661,235,7662.8% (blended)$36.75TelusNA90,5002,700,0001.88%$52Bell$49494,0003,600,0001.5%$43Rogers$43865,0003,057,0001.88% (post-paid)$42.69 With the latest quarterly results, there seems to be a growing marginalization of Microcell Telecommunications. The country’s smallest operator added 26,566 net new subscribers, all of them being pre-paid. The company also saw more than 20,000 post-paid customers switch to pre-paid. On the other side, Telus, Bell and Rogers are performing well. Keeping churn in check seems to have been a priority as Bell, Telus and Rogers posted sub-2% rates. Bell Mobility brings wireless access to desktopBell Mobility has given its customers the ability to access desktop computer files, emails and attachments through an agreement with MOTIVUS Software Ltd. Bell subscribers will be able to access such files through a wirelessly enabled PDA or laptop computer by using software dubbed MOTIVUS Mobile Desktop Enterprise Edition. The software was commercially launched last week. Aliant Telecom expands digital network in Atlantic CanadaMTT Aliant Telecom Mobility recently finished another expansion of its network in Nova Scotia. The $500,000 upgrade and expansion was centred in and around the region of Port Hawkesbury. The company added two more cell sites to the region, which enables 4,000 residents to take advantage of digital PCS services. The province of New Brunswick also got some network expansion and upgrades as well. NBTel/Aliant Telecom Mobility invested $500,000 to upgrade and expand the network to the Grand Bay region, which is just outside Saint John. The network expansion brings digital PCS service to more than 3,700 residents of the region. Rogers Wireless and Siemens team up for wireless phonesRogers Wireless Communications Inc. will be adding to its stable of wireless phones through an agreement with Siemens Canada Ltd. The two companies will work together to jointly promote Siemens’ new S40 global mobile phone. The agreement is also part of Siemens’ strategy to more aggressively target the Canadian market. Telus Mobility on track to launch 1X network Telus Mobility has nearly completed market trials of its 1X network, which is slated to launch this June. The company also announced its cross-Canada network of distribution partners is nearly complete as well. Telus expects that its network will be the first pan-Canadian 1X network. Bell Mobility has launched in five cities so far and will be announcing others as its network is built out (RoW, April 16/02). CSI signs deal with AirIQCalgary-based CSI Wireless Inc. has signed a supply agreement with telematics firm AirIQ. Under terms of the deal, AirIQ will purchase at least $6.5 million of CSI’s wireless asset tracking technology, including its latest Asset-Link 200 product line. Deliveries will take place over a two-year period. The agreement builds upon an existing relationship between the two companies. AirIQ is already using CSI’s AssetVision product family. Plaintree receives legacy switching system orderFree space optics firm Plaintree Systems Inc. has received a $215,000 order for its legacy switching product WaveSwitch. The unnamed customer has been using the product for several years. Plaintree will continue to manufacture the WaveSwitch product to meet any further orders. Handheld computers more popular than partners in travelAccording to a new survey by Toshiba, handheld computers are more popular as travel companions than partners. The survey showed that the electronic "friends" are 10% more popular. The poll was conducted as part of Toshiba Information Systems Group’s launch of its pocket PC, the e310. Unity Wireless launches new product lineUnity Wireless, Burnaby BC, has introduced a new line of power amplifiers for use in broadband fixed wireless access and wireless local loop base stations. In conjunction with the launch, the company has also announced that a major U.S. vendor of fixed wireless access networks has purchased a significant quantity of the power amplifiers. The new product lines, which operate in the 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz frequency bands, has output power between four and 10 Watts. Mitec Telecom lands $30-million contractMitec Telecom has signed two contracts with a major European OEM worth approximately $30 million. The first contract is a new order and it is valued at $16 million, while the second is an extension of an existing supply agreement. Deliveries for both contracts are scheduled to begin this month and will be complete by next April. Colubris joins RSA security programLaval QC-based Colubris Networks has been selected by RSA Security to join the RSA Secured Partner Program. The company will work with the group to ensure interoperability of its CN1050 wireless LAN access point and RSA Keon digital certificate management software. The CN1050 has been awarded the RSA Secured Keon Ready certification as part of this agreement. Cell-Loc amends US$40-million financingCell-Loc Inc. has refiled an amended and restated preliminary prospectus for a share offering that could net the company an estimated US$40 million. Under terms of the amendments, the company can draw upon the financing at any time in exchange for the issuance of common shares. Wi-LAN enhances product linesCalgary-based Wi-LAN Inc. has announced that its BWS 3000 series product line can be upgraded to double the throughput of the product. Service providers operating in the 3.5 GHz band can double network capacity with existing spectrum while maintaining the same coverage area. In other Wi-LAN product news, networks incorporating its VIP 110-24 product line can now be remotely managed. The remote management feature helps network operators reduce deployment and maintenance costs. Kaval introduces in-building wireless productKaval Wireless Technologies Inc., Toronto, has launched its DataWave in-building wireless network extension product. The product extends the range of 802.11b or Wi-Fi wireless networks. The fixed wireless network product is an addition to its other wireless network extension products. Infowave Software joins Microsoft allianceInfowave Software Inc. has been selected to join Microsoft Corp.’s Mobility Partner Advisory Council. The council was formed to bring innovative and successful solutions to the mobile applications market. "Collaboration between industry leaders is vital to ensuring that enterprise customers receive ultimate value when selecting mobile solutions," Sal Visca, Infowave COO said.

RoW Short Takes

News | May 13, 2002

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