RoW Short Takes

Price primary reason for wireless carrier selectionThe initial cost of a wireless phone or wireless device is the primary reason subscribers chose their current carrier, reports the Yankee Group’s 2003 Canadian Technologically Advanced Family survey. Slightly more than half of respondents (52%) said that improved coverage would be the main reason they would stay loyal to their current provider. Interestingly, 25% indicated that a decreased service price would be their major reason for remaining loyal to their provider. Voice Mobility introduces low-cost messaging productVancouver-based Voice Mobility International Inc. has introduced a new version of its enhanced messaging product that addresses the need for a low-cost messaging system. Version 3.1 of the company’s UCN 200 offers the functionality that tier 1 telcos are seeking for voicemail replacement and enhanced messaging services, but is also affordable, flexible, scaleable, reliable and easy to use. MDSI retains financial advisor to review alternativesMobile Data Solutions Inc. (MDSI) has retained Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. as a financial advisor to evaluate "potential business combinations, financing and other strategic alternatives to help the company offer enhanced products and services to its customers and maximize shareholder value." Cossette teams with m-Qube for mobile marketingCossette Communications Group’s Blitz Direct data and promotion division has teamed up with m-Qube, a North American mobile messaging provider, allowing Cossette to implement two-way interactive mobile marketing programs for its customers. The two companies plan to demonstrate the value of mobile marketing by delivering a mobile marketing campaign for the Canadian Marketing Association’s 2003 Digital Marketing Conference. COM DEV lands commercial satellite contractCOM DEV International Ltd. has secured a $7-million contract with a U.S. customer for the supply of satellite products and subsystems as part of a large commercial satellite program. The identity of the satellite manufacturer was not provided in a September 19 news release. Work will be carried out over the next 12 months. Aliant to sell controlling stake in Stratos GlobalAliant Inc. has agreed to sell its 53% stake in Stratos Global Corp. to a syndicate of underwriters led by RBC Capital Markets for a total of nearly $340 million. The underwriters will acquire 26,141,024 subscription receipts, which will then be resold at $13 each. Infowave unveils new enterprise softwareInfowave Software Inc.’s acquisition of HiddenMind Technology earlier this year (RoW, June 23/03) has already begun to pay dividends as Infowave has released the Mobility Platform v4.0, a new enterprise class wireless system. It allows enterprises to provide employees, customers and partners instant mobile access to corporate data in both connected and disconnected environments across a range of integrated devices. Spotwave Wireless enhances SpotCell 100 product lineOttawa-based Spotwave Wireless Inc. has introduced new capabilities for its SpotCell 100 family of repeater products, giving the product line greater functionality in in-building environments. The enhanced product line can now offer 25% better coverage, eliminate site visits to monitor product performance and integrate adaptive algorithms optimizing installation and reducing interference. Telesat and Hughes ink collaboration agreementTelesat Canada and Hughes Network Systems Inc. have signed a three-year agreement under which Hughes will provide network engineering support for Telesat’s six dedicated hubs throughout Canada. The agreement allows Telesat to offer a broader range of applications to customers in the retail, automotive, banking and government industries. OPP implements Sierra Wireless ruggedized modem The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has implemented Sierra Wireless’ MP 555 rugged wireless modem card, marking the first North American deployment of the card. Patrol cars are now outfitted with the wireless modem card integrated in a Pansonic Toughbook notebook computer giving officers access to provincial and national databases and improving the dispatch and arrest process. WaveRider wireless system deployed in MichiganWaveRider Communications Inc. has announced that its LMS system has been selected by Internet 2000, a regional broadband and dial-up ISP in Michigan, to offer wireless Internet access to thousands more potential subscribers. Internet 2000 will deploy the system in 11 communities in the state following its initial rollout in Rogers City. Internet 2000 will now deploy its network in the following Michigan cities: Altanta, Bangor, Coloma, Houghton Lake, Lawton, New Buffalo, Onaway, Prudenville and Watervilet. Sirific Wireless receives technology awardSirific Wireless Corp. has been awarded the 2003 Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award for the electronics and semiconductor market sector. The award is in recognition of its groundbreaking work in the field of direct conversion CMOS radio design. The Waterloo ON-based company is a fabless semiconductor developing multi-band and multi-standard RF transceivers. 3COM broadens distribution channel for WLAN products3COM Canada has inked an agreement with TerraWave Solutions to distribute 3COM’s wireless local area network (LAN) products. Under terms of the agreement TerraWave will offer 3COM’s entire line of wireless networking products, including PC cards, PCI cards, USB adapters, access points, bridges and antennas to resellers focusing on wireless LAN deployments in the business marketplace. Roadpost intros corporate dealRoadpost Inc. has introduced a corporate account program with Tesco, one of Roadpost’s first cusomers. FCC calls 900 MHz auction The Federal Communications Commission announced on September 17 the auction of 60 licences in two specialized mobile radio (SMR) services bands, 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz, is scheduled to begin on February 11, 2004. IEEE approves amendment to 802.11a wireless LAN specThe Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has approved an amendment to the 802.11a wireless local area network (LAN) specification that helps eliminate potential interference with other wireless equipment operating in the 5 GHz range. Systems that could be affected are radar, earth exploration satellite service and space research service. The amendment, 802.11h, allows wireless LANs to meet regulations initially adopted by European countries, subsequently cemented as a global standard by the International Telecommunication Union at this year’s World Radiocommunication Conference. Airport Wi-Fi usage is up during summer monthsTotal user sessions for Concourse Communications’ airport Wi-Fi networks grew 19% in August over levels recorded in July, indicating that airports are one of the fastest rising Wi-Fi usage locations. Senza Fili Consulting analyst Monica Paolini said in a news release that increased traffic in Wi-Fi usage at airports confirms the trend toward greater public Wi-Fi use. ITU reports increase in global broadband usersThe International Telecommunication Union reports that global broadband subscribers grew 72% in 2002 to approximately 62 million worldwide. The Republic of Korea leads the way in broadband penetration with approximately 21 broadband subscribers for every 100 inhabitants. Hong Kong ranks second with nearly 15 per 100 people. Canada comes in third with slightly more than 11 broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants. The ITU also says that home usage is driving the substantial increase in broadband penetration.

RoW Short Takes

News | September 23, 2003

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