ROW Short Takes

Government of Canada invests in wireless, modem technology The Government of Canada will make a $9.5-million strategic investment in a research and development initiative dedicated to advancing integrated wireless messaging and modem technology. The Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) investment is part of a multi-year $33.7-million project being undertaken by Sierra Wireless Inc. to develop technologies that provide business users with productivity tools based on a new fully integrated smartphone wireless communications device. TSX finds MTS shareholders’ approval not required The Advisory Affairs Committee of the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) will not require shareholder approval as a condition of acceptance of the proposed acquisition of Allstream Inc. by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS). After MTS filed notice of its plans with the TSX, some of its shareholders requested that the TSX require MTS to obtain shareholder approval as a condition of acceptance of the notice. BelAir strikes LAN platform deal with U.S. municipalities BelAir has forged deals with Des Moines, Iowa, Show Low AZ and Lincoln AB to deploy its BelAir200 cellular LAN platform for city personnel via Wi-Fi technology. In Iowa, the Department of Transportation will use the technology to link various traffic and transportation departments, and also to provide traffic monitoring at busy city intersections. In Arizona it will be used to enable police and fire departments to maintain communications between mobile units and databases at city hall. Nebraska will use the network to interconnect scattered city offices by providing connectivity and as a redundant link for existing wired networks. U.S. law firm files suit against Nortel NetworksA Connecticut law firm, Scott + Scott, LLC, has filed a securities class action lawsuit against Nortel Networks Corp. in the United States District Court on behalf of people who purchased or otherwise acquired securities between Dec. 23, 2003 and March 12, 2004. The complaint alleges that during that period, Nortel and certain of its officers and directors violated the securities laws of the United States and caused Nortel’s shares to trade at artificially inflated levels through the issuance of false and misleading financial statements. Underwriters exercise over-allotment optionUnderwriters have exercised their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 3.15 million common shares of Telesystem International Wireless Inc. (TIW) at US$9.50 per share. The over-allotment was granted in the context of 7 million common shares and a secondary offering of 14 million common shares. The net proceeds to TIW from this over-allotment are US$9.5 million. TIW also recently announced it has completed the first phase of the acquisition of a 13% equity interest in ClearWave N.V. from two institutional shareholders. Cabletel sells distribution and technology segmentsCabletel Communications Corp. has announced it has fulfilled its previously announced sale of the assets of its distribution and technology segments to Power & Telephone Supply Company of Canada, Ltd, a subsidiary of Power & Telephone Supply Company. Cabletel sold all the distribution and technology segments’ inventory, selective fixed assets and the Cabletel name in connection with the sale. Alaska to have its first 3G wireless data networkThe Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (ACS) is planning the launch of Alaska’s first commercially available 3G wireless data network. Nortel Networks Corp. will power the network, which will significantly increase ACS’ network capacity and position it to deliver advanced data services such as web browsing and video and audio streaming to end-users over high-speed wireless connections as an alternate broadband access medium. Microcell files final plan for shareholders’ rights offeringMicrocell Telecommunications Inc. has filed a final prospectus with the securities authorities in each Canadian province in connection with its previously announced rights offering to certain shareholders. Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 2 will receive one right for every share held. Every five rights will entitle the holder to purchase one Class B non-voting share. AirIQ reports considerable financial success for 2003AirIQ, a wireless Internet applications service provider specializing in telematics, reports major financial success including a 39% increase in revenues, a 61% increase in gross profit, and a 19% decrease in operating expenses for the year ended Dec. 31, 2003. AirIQ exited the year with over $15.4 million in cash reserves. Destiny Media, Mix Technology to market wireless videoBritish Columbia’s Destiny Media Technologies Inc. and Taiwan-based Mix Technology Co., Ltd. have entered into a letter of intent to form a joint venture to market Clipstream wireless video to cellular telephone providers, which include applications such as video content on demand, live video, remote monitoring and video email. Mix has agreed to pay Destiny a $250,000 advance against ongoing monthly royalty revenues from the providers to offset further development costs. WaveRider announces broad-band deployment programWaveRider Communications Inc., a non-line-of-sight wireless broadband technology and deployment company, has announced an agreement for a broadband deployment program in association with ANPI (Associated Network Partners Inc.)/NewStreets, a member-owned consortium comprised of more than 300 independent telephone companies throughout the United States. The program includes aggressive marketing activities, network design and customer support services for WaveRider’s 900 MHz non-line-of-sight products and other unique member benefits. ANPI/NewStreets will market WaveRider’s products to its affiliates via its sales team and advertising programs. Sierra rugged wireless modem upgrade available soonAn upgrade program for Sierra Wireless’ MP 750 GPS rugged wireless modem is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2004 for $399. This upgrade will move customers to the next-generation MP 775 GPS modem for use on the AT&T Wireless EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution) network. This wireless modem is an in-vehicle mobile solution with data transmission speeds averaging between 100 and 130 kilobits per second. Rogers and palmOne launch new smartphone Rogers Wireless Communications Inc. and palmOne Canada have announced the availability of the Treo 600 in Canada. This integrated wireless smartphone has a built-in QWERTY keyboard and touch-sensitive colour screen. This is the first quad-band smartphone available in Canada and enables customers to make and receive wireless calls and use wireless data service on GSM/GPRS networks in almost every country around the world. Government of Canada extends IDC contractInternational Datacasting Corporation (IDC) has received an extension on its contract with the Government of Canada to provide multimedia datacasting services for the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA). This extension, along with other recent service expansions, is worth more than $3 million over the next year. The IDC also provides infrastructure and service for the Canadian Forces Radio & Television Service, which delivers programs to Canadian Forces stationed around the world. Nortel Networks to deliver CDMA 450 EV-DO networkThe Czech Republic’s largest wireless voice and data service provider, Eurotel Praha, spol. sr.o., has selected Nortel Networks Corp. as the sole supplier of what is expected to be the industry’s first CDMA2000 1xEV-DO network operating in the 450 MHz radio spectrum. This network is already being deployed across the Czech Republic and will help position Eurotel to introduce broadband Internet and other advanced services to wireless subscribers.

ROW Short Takes

News | April 7, 2004

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