ROW Short Takes

TELUS launches $1.1-billion bid for MicrocellTELUS Corp. has launched an unsolicited $1.1 billion all cash offer for Microcell Telecommunications Inc., marking another step in the consolidation of the Canadian telecommunications market. The wave of mergers and acquisitions began earlier this year when Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. offered $1.7 billion for Allstream Inc. Speculation is ripe that there could be other suitors for Microcell with several media outlets saying Rogers Wireless Inc. is a likely candidate. The Microcell bid, says TELUS, is part of its growth strategy focusing on the wireless, IP and data markets. A combined TELUS-Microcell would count approximately 4.8 million subscribers. SR Telecom inks supply deal with small Ontario ISP Montreal-based SR Telecom Inc. has signed an equipment supply agreement with Chatham Internet Access (CIA), a small ISP in Chatham ON. CIA will deploy SR Telecom’s angel broadband fixed wireless access system in the area as part of a project funded in part by Industry Canada’s Broadband for Rural and Northern Development initiative. The system will be deployed over the next two years. Equipment deliveries are expected to begin immediately. In other SR Telecom news, the company has won a major contract in Latin America with an as yet-to-be-named telecommunications carrier. The operator will deploy SR Telecom’s SR500 fixed wireless access system in a nationwide network. The first phase of the deployment is valued at approximately $35 million. Hydro One deploys Infowave Software systemHydro One Networks Inc. will deploy Infowave Software Inc.’s Telispark Mobile Enterprise software to implement predictive and preventative maintenance solutions. Using applications modules mWorkManager, mAsset and mInspect, Hydro One allowed many of its workers to access critical information via handheld and laptop computers. "Hydro One desired to improve the integrity of asset data and perform enhanced predictive and preventative maintenance on its substations to better validate rate submissions to the province of Ontario," reads a May 11 news release. The company has mobilized 200 field technicians with plans to roll out the service to an additional 300. Digital Dispatch inks contract in the United KingdomRichmond BC-based Digital Dispatch Systems Inc. has signed a contract with Mantax Radio Taxi Ltd. of Manchester UK. Under terms of the contract, Mantax will purchase 80 Vector 530 mobile data terminals for one of its fleets and the PathFinder dispatch application, which can support a fleet of more than 300 vehicles. Upon completion of phase one, Mantax plans to purchase additional Vector 530 terminals for its entire fleet. The U.K. taxi company has also signed a multi-year service agreement with Digital Dispatch. Microcell Solutions introduces new handsetsMicrocell Solutions Inc. has introduced three new handsets from Sony Ericsson. The T237, the Z600 and the P900 each provide a different experience allowing the consumer to chose the handset which is more to their liking. "Whether they are looking for an entry-level handset with multimedia capabilities at an affordable price, an enhanced imaging and messaging experience in a flip phone format, or a high-octane device that combines PDA, camera and MP3 player, there is truly something for everyone in this latest wave of Sony Ericsson devices," reads a May 7 news release. Contec Innovations raises $1 millionVancouver-based Contec Innovations announced on May 7 a private placement seeking to raise up to $1 million. Under terms of the non-brokered agreement, the company will offer a maximum of 6.250 million units at a price of $0.16 each. Each unit will consist of one common share and one non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle its holder to the right to purchase an additional share at $0.30 for a period of one year following the closing of the private placement. COM DEV receives go-ahead in satellite contractCOM DEV International Ltd. has received a US$1-million authorization to proceed for a contract to provide core products and subsystems to a European customer for a commercial satellite program. The contract, when finalized, will be worth at least US$5.1 million. The identity of the European company and the satellite program can’t be made public at this time due to contractual restrictions. The work will be carried out at the company’s Cambridge ON facility over the next 10 months. Agilent Technologies upgrades wireless testing capabilitiesAgilent Technologies Inc. has enhanced its flagship 8960 wireless communications test set, now offering support for EDGE in addition to GSM, GPRS and EGPRS protocols. The company’s test products now offer support for "2.5G and 3G wireless device designers, manufacturers and repair centres looking to rapidly satisfy consumer demand for new wireless devices and applications," reads a news release. Thunder Bay airport seeking WLAN supplierThunder Bay International Airports Authority Inc. has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the installation and operation of a public and private wireless local area network. The RFP closed on May 13 and Report on Wireless will have more on this matter in an upcoming issue. Industry forms pre-competitive research groupThe International Institute of Telecommunications has launched a pre-competitive research and development consortium. The consortium brings together in a single research environment major partners in the Canadian telecommunications industry. Many large and small technology companies will also take part in investing to define and direct projects based on the common interests of the industry. Non-competitive, multi-standard and multi-platform wireline and wireless networks research is made possible through the research consortium, according to a news release. The project will generate investments of $50 million from telecommunications industry stakeholders and is supported by both the Quebec and Canadian governments. Colligo upgrades ad-hoc sharing applicationVancouver-based Colligo Networks has upgraded its ad-hoc wireless networking application to support IBM’s Workplace Client Technology technology. The enhanced capability will be included in the company’s Colligo Enterprise Edition. The upgraded product is scheduled for commercial release in the fourth quarter of this year and "will offer secure and private client-to-client messaging and database replication, extending a wide range of enterprise applications in the IBM Workplace Client Technology framework," reads a news release. New guidelines for venture capital industryRéseau Capital (the Quebec Venture Capital Association) has introduced new guidelines for the valuation of unrealized venture capital and private equity investments. The guidelines were prepared in conjunction with the Canadian Venture Capital Association and can be viewed at www.reseaucapital.com. The guidelines reflect extensive discussions with venture capital and private equity fund managers and with institutions that invest in such funds. Spotnik mobile lands in new hotels and resortsSpotnik Mobile has been awarded seven new contracts at hotels and resorts in Ontario. The company says this caps off an impressive year in which Spotnik was able to secure 50 new installations in hotels and resorts in less than a year. Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, Delta Grandview Resort Muskoka and Best Western Brampton are three of the seven wins. Certicom VPN system embedded in Voq handsetCerticom Corp. has announced that its secure VPN product, movianVPN, has been embedded into Sierra Wireless Inc.’s new high-end Voq handset. "As an embedded feature that supports multiple VPN gateways, the solution is designed to offer IT managers minimal administration and a better return on their existing security infrastructure investment," reads a May 11 news release.

ROW Short Takes

News | 05/19/2004 4:00 am EDT

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