The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Decima Reports.
 

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Companies team for wireless interoperability work
Motorola Inc., Proxim and Avaya have joined forces to develop technology that will enable greater interoperability between varying wireless networks. This could mean that a data download beginning over a wireless network in Starbucks won’t be interrupted when the consumer moves within range of the corporate network. There are enormous technical hurdles to overcome if this is going to become a reality. The move has been described as the most ambitious wireless roaming initiative to take advantage of the expanding use of Wi-Fi networks. In other Motorola news, the U.S. company unveiled details of its new wireless application developer program, dubbed MotoCoder. The program was kicked off in Shanghai, China and is designed to be the driver behind the company’s ongoing application development program. Motorola also used the city as a venue to introduce a whole range of new handsets as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of its first commercial mobile phone.

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Dawn Hunt, VP government and inter-carrier relations at Rogers Wireless Inc., has been elected as chair of the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) effective immediately, replacing Ted Maksimowski, former president of Bell Mobility Investments (BMI). She was previously a vice-chair of the CWTA. Hunt’s career spans 25 years in the Canadian telecommunications industry having served with Rogers since 1994. Prior to joining Rogers, she spent 16 years at Unitel Communications (now AT&T Canada). Maksimowski left BMI in December to pursue other interests and therefore couldn’t remain chair of the CWTA.

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UBS and Craig take stakes in Look Communications
Unique Broadband Systems Inc. (UBS) and Craig Wireless International have purchased significant ownership stakes in Look Communications Inc. UBS bought a 20% stake in Look for approximately $2.4 million, while Craig purchased about 30% of Look for nearly $2.9 million. UBS and Look had previously tried to complete a deal last year (RoW, Aug. 19/02). Under that deal, UBS was to have invested $5 million in Look for a 9% stake. UBS could have increased its stake to 23% if it converted a debenture. However, that deal was pulled off the table last year. The UBS transaction was completed through a private placement. Craig is seeking to acquire a further ownership stake in Look, but that needs CRTC approval.

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