ROW Short Takes

Inukshuk, Allstream and NR launch new wholesale businessInukshuk Internet Inc., Allstream Inc. and NR Communications have launched their recently formed joint venture’s first wholesale service in Richmond BC, and the first two customers are Microcell Solutions Inc. and Allstream. The multipoint communications system service (MCS) is based on the Expedience system developed by NextNet Wireless. Microcell has launched a new MCS wireless Internet service iFido, which is priced at a special introductory price of $20/month for the first six months (the regular monthly rate in $40). The modem is priced at $125 or $25/month when signing a two-year service contract. The monthly rate includes data transfer volumes of up to 20 GB (download) and 5 GB (upload). It will cost subscribers $10 per additional GB. NorthernTel wants sub B-band in Northern OntarioNorthernTel Mobility has filed a letter of intent with Industry Canada requesting access to the entire sub-band B (835-845 MHz and 846.5-849 MHz paired with 880-890 and 891.5-894 MHz) along Highway 144 from Kenogassimi Lake to the junction of Highway 560 in Ontario. The company wants to implement and operate a cellular system to provide mobile and fixed wireless access services in the region. This is the second application of this type that the department has received recently as Superior Wireless filed a similar application last October (RoW, Nov. 18/03). Aliant to invest $2.5 million in R&D over five yearsAliant has announced that it will invest $2.5 million over the next five years in research and development. The Aliant Wireless Innovation Fund is designed to support R&D efforts at Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions. Funding will begin later this year with academic partners to be announced over the next few months. The fund will be managed in conjunction with Bell University Labs. NEWT launches second annual Leapfrog innovation contestThe Network for Emerging Wireless Technologies (NEWT) has launched its second annual Leapfrog contest, aimed at funding innovative wireless technologies. Winning entries will receive $30,000 towards the development of their technology to market-ready stage within six months. The contest is open to business ventures with less than $1 million in revenue. In addition to the $30,000 in funding, winners also receive free access to NEWT’s testing facility, technical development advice, business mentorship and contacts with venture capitalists. The deadline for submission is April 15, and winners will be announced on April 30. WINBC announces winners of this year’s innovation contest The Wireless Innovation Network of British Columbia (WINBC) has announced that the following companies are winners in its Wireless Innovation Contest 2004: Mobile Operandi in the games and entertainment category; Executive Wireless in the business category; Verrus for collaborative partnership; and Stelix in the student category. Mobile Operandi developed MOPHONE, a synchronization content service that allows for the creation, management and distribution of personalized content on the handset. Executive Wireless designed Wireless Realty, a software application that allows real estate agents to obtain information on properties, including assessment, tax data and other data via a mobile device. Park Phone Go, developed by Verrus, allows motorists to pay for parking via mobile phones. The service also alerts vehicle owners via SMS when there are only five minutes left on the meter. The Stelix application is a laptop security system that notifies the user when the laptop is moved too far away from the owner. Infowave releases next-gen wireless business engineInfowave Software Inc. has introduced a new version of its Wireless Business Engine (WBE), a middleware application used for accessing and deploying enterprise mobile applications. WBE version 4.6 adds increased security, calendar synchronization to support email, personal information management and a calendar as well as enterprise asset management and field service. CRC to help commercialize wireless technologiesThe Communications Research Centre and five of its partners have unveiled a nationwide network of development centres designed to help bring emerging wireless technologies developed by small- and medium-sized businesses to the marketplace. The Canada Network of Wireless Centres (CWCnet) will work with the Network for Emerging Wireless Technologies, the International Institute of Telecommunications, Telecom Applications Research Alliance, the Canadian Centre for Marine Communications and the Wireless Innovation Network of British Columbia. Avotus to help companies save money on wireless plansToronto-based Avotus Corp. has introduced Avotus Wireless Insight, a service designed to help organizations move from an environment where their employees are on individual wireless rate plans and expensing wireless costs to a centralized corporate wireless rate plan. The software allows companies to uncover a large cost category that is traditionally hidden on employee travel and expense reports and enables the costs to be included in the overall communications infrastructure expenses. The company has sales offices located in Boston. Spotwave introduces products to support iDEN networksSpotwave Wireless Inc. has released two new cellular network repeaters for iDEN networks. The SpotCell 163 and SpotCell 263 now give Nextel Communications in the United States and Telus Mobility in Canada the ability to expand the reach of their networks without the need for costly major network expansion. With the introduction of these two products, Spotwave now offers repeaters for all networks and carriers in North America. Telus prepares for launch of push-to-talkTelus Mobility appears to be preparing for the launch of push-to-talk (PTT) services on its PCS network. The company filed for several trademarks last month, including "Telus PTT", "Push to Click", "Push to View", and "Push to Find". The most controversial of the trademarks may be "Walkie Talkie". Bell Mobility and Rogers Wireless Inc. are planning to launch PTT this year.

ROW Short Takes

News | March 10, 2004

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