ROW Update

Industry Canada proposes changes to MCS and MDS bandsIndustry Canada has proposed several changes to the 2500-2690 MHz frequency range that would harmonize Canada’s rules in this band with other international jurisdictions. Further, the department seeks comment on what to do with currently unused multipoint distribution system (MDS) spectrum and has proposed to allow MDS operators to use more of their spectrum for non-broadcast services. The MDS and multipoint communication system (MCS) services spectrum has been the subject of considerable debate on the international scene for some time as it was designated a 3G spectrum band at the 2000 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-00) and has been considered for other services by other countries. The Federal Communications Commission has proposed changes that would facilitate the provision of high-speed data and voice services in both mobile and fixed environments. The department is seeking comment on whether it should adopt a similar re-channelization of these bands. Comments are due Aug. 9, 2004. Court dismisses Craig Wireless suit against UBS and Look CommunicationsThe Ontario Superior Court of Justice has dismissed a Craig Wireless International Inc. lawsuit against Unique Broadband Systems Inc. (UBS) and Look Communications Inc., closing the books on a legal battle that dates back to last summer. The suit sought to reverse financial transactions that led to UBS taking control of Look (RoW, Nov. 5/03). In a May 4 news release, UBS and Look also state that Craig Wireless has “agreed to a dismissal of its appeal to the Federal Court of Appeal of the October 2003 decision of the CRTC, which approved Look’s application to permit UBS to acquire a controlling interest in Look.” RIM beefs up BlackBerry securityResearch in Motion Ltd. (RIM) has inked a technology licensing agreement with wireless security system provider Certicom Corp. Under terms of the deal, RIM has licensed the Security Builder Crypto toolkit and other elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) intellectual property from Certicom, allowing it to extend its existing ECC-based security into its lineup of BlackBerry handhelds. A news release states: “RIM will pay a one-time US$3.5 million Intellectual Property licence fee, entitling them to deploy a fixed number of seats. The agreement provides for additional revenue through royalties once RIM exceeds the prepaid number of seats. Certicom will be recognizing the licence revenue over three years starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 that begins on May 1, 2004."TPC chips in money for RFIDTechnology Partnerships Canada has chipped in $7.5 million as part of a $25-million radio frequency identification (RFID) development project being undertaken by B.C.-based OMNEX Control Systems Inc. Environment Canada minister David Anderson made the investment announcement on May 4 on behalf of Industry Canada. “By supporting and investing in the development of new technologies, such as trusted radio frequency wireless solutions, our government will be helping Canadian municipal water treatment facilities to streamline production processes, reduce costs and diminish their impact on the environment,” T. Duncan Ellison, executive director of the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association, said in a news release. Bell Canada and Siemens work on in-home wireless networkingSympatico, the ISP division of Canada’s largest telecommunications provider, is working with Siemens Subscriber Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Siemens AG, to boost the reach of hard-wired DSL connections by deploying innovative wireless technology. Sympatico is deploying Siemens’ SpeedStream Wireless DSL Gateway, which combines both a DSL modem and wireless router to allow subscribers to access the Internet from anywhere within their home. The new “box” interoperates with devices using both 802.11b and g protocols and supports full and light Internet access speeds. It comes with a customized setup wizard allowing the subscriber to get up and running in a short time. Medical and pharmaceutical settings adopt wireless technologyToronto-based cStar Technologies Inc. has broken into the biotechnology space. The company has launched e-Dispense, a vending machine application that allows workers in healthcare facilities and biotechnology labs to self-provision supplies while tracking inventory supplies in the machines wirelessly. A news release states: “The manual process of supplying and documenting restrictive products to staff is inefficient and prone to recording errors. Wireless transmitters relay activity to suppliers and management for accountability (who is using what), inventory management, quality control and supply chain management.” Wi-LAN ships more product to IndiaCalgary-based Wi-LAN Inc. has shipped additional product to Adino Telecom Ltd., a broadband communications service provider in India. The Indian company has purchased $300,000 worth of VIP 100-24 fixed wireless access products and accessories to expand the Gujarat statewide network and to broaden networks of corporate customers. “The VIP110-24 units have allowed us to provide voice services to many of our offices and departments and avoid leased line costs. In addition, we have been able to provide previously unavailable video and high-speed data services,” RK Dave, the engineer heading up the project, said in a news release. NovAtel reports strong Q1 financial resultsNovAtel Inc. has reported an almost doubling of revenue in the first quarter of 2004, compared to the same period last year. Revenue for Q1, which ended on March 31, was $12.5 million, up from $6.9 million in last year's first quarter. Net income for the first quarter was also up significantly, jumping from $15,000 to $2.1 million for the same period. “I am particularly delighted by these results as they continue to validate our true OEM strategy of providing core precision positioning components and subsystems to a wide range of markets,” Jon Ladd, NovAtel’s president and CEO, said in a news release. WaveRider reports lower revenue due to price reductionsWaveRider Communications Inc. president and CEO Bruce Sinclair said in a news release an inability to increase sales to offset lower equipment prices led to lower first-quarter revenue. “While we continue to secure new customers, we did not experience increases in unit sales to offset these price reductions. In addition, seasonal slowdowns in broadband deployments and confusion surrounding WiMAX and other broadband products contributed to an increase in the average sales cycle with both new and existing customers,” he said on April 29. Total revenue for the quarter, ended March 31, was US$2.3 million compared to US$3.2 million in last year’s first quarter. Net loss for the quarter was US$1.6 million compared to a net loss of $258,000 in Q1 last year.

ROW Update

News | May 10, 2004

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