ROW Short Takes

TELUS Mobility files motions to review CIRB decision 108TELE-MOBILE COMPANY, operating under the TELUS Mobility trade name, has filed motions with the Federal Court of Appeal for a stay and judicial review of Canadian Industrial Relations Board Decision 1088 allowing employees in Central Canada to be swept into a single bargaining unit under the Telecommunications Workers Union (RoW, June 11/04). A June 23 news release reads: "TELUS Mobility is seeking an order from the Court staying the Decision on an expedited basis, and a judicial review of the Decision declaring it invalid and contrary to subsections 2 (b) and 2 (d) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and to Section 8 of the Canadian Labour Code. In particular, the Decision forces non-unionized employees to join a union without a chance to express their wishes through a representation vote." Report on Wireless continues to follow this hot-button issue and will have more to report as more information becomes available. Microcell recommends refusing TELUS’ offerMicrocell Telecommunications Inc. has again recommended to its shareholders and warrant holders that they not accept TELUS’ offer to purchase all of its securities, following the latter’s decision to extend its offer by one month. The offer now expires on July 22. TELUS revised its offer slightly when it was extended on June 22, indicating that the offer is contingent on two-thirds of shareholders accepting the offer. TELUS’ offers comes at a time when there is increasing consolidation in the Canadian telecommunications market as Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. acquired Allstream Inc., Bell Canada acquired the Canadian operations of 360networks, the eastern Canadian customer base of which was then sold to Call-Net Enterprises Inc. Cygnal acquires two firms in Ontario and BCCygnal Technologies Corp. has strengthened its position in the market with two acquisitions announced on June 29. The company has purchased Single Point of Contact, a Nortel Networks Corp. voice systems integrator, and Belcom Services, a provider of services and support to many Nortel enterprise customers in the Greater Vancouver Area. Nortel updates status, sells production operationsNortel Networks Corp. expects to be able to provide an update on its assessment of the impact of financial restatements during the mid- to late-July time frame, the company announced. Additionally, the company anticipates being able to announce "limited preliminary" unaudited 2004 first- and second-quarter financial results by mid-August. At this time, Nortel expects to file fiscal year 2003 results, Q1 and Q2 2004 financials, and related periodic reports in the third quarter of this year. If the company fails to file on time FY 2003 or Q1 2004 results by Aug. 30, Export Development Corp. can terminate a performance-related support facility in the order of $750 million. In other Nortel news, the company has reached an agreement with Flextronics to take over its remaining manufacturing operations in exchange for US$675 to US$725 million in cash. Stanstead Capital to acquire BlueTree Wireless DataStanstead Capital Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Montreal-based BlueTree Wireless Data Inc. BlueTree designs and markets machine-to-machine wireless communications hardware and software. The two companies have entered into an agreement with Desjardin Securities Inc. to float BlueTree $3 million to $5 million so the company can increase its sales force in the United States and other regions. The money will also be used to complete development on and launch a new 32-bit modem integrating multiple applications on a single platform and pursue the development of its proprietary software to enhance recurring revenue. Agilent Technologies releases new base station productAgilent Technologies Inc. has introduced the Linearizer DesignGuide, a new product that helps speed and simplify the development of wireless base station power amplifiers. New digital techniques allow the electronic design automation and test and measurement equipment to work together to verify power amplifier linearization, resulting in a quicker, more efficient process for RF designers. Linearization is a technique applied in base station amplifiers to prevent interference between mobile users while allowing full-power operation. NovAtel patent upheld by European Patent OfficeThe European Patent Office’s Board of Appeals has upheld a NovAtel Inc. patent, the validity of which was challenged in 1997. The appeals board ruled earlier this year that the patent, which relates to the company’s Narrow Correlator Tracking Technology is in fact valid, "requiring only minor changes to certain of the broader claims of the patent." NovAtel states in a news release: "Narrow Correlator revolutionized the Global Positioning System (GPS) industry by successfully challenging the notion that high precision was possible only with P-code tracking or more expensive dual frequency receivers." Diversinet releases new wireless security toolDiversinet Corp. has announced the availability of Passport Trust Platform, an expanded version of the company’s flagship wireless data security suite that it says helps speed the deployment of next-generation mobile data applications. The platform features new software and other components that simplify the provisioning of wireless credentials and reduce the effort needed to create robust security infrastructure for mobile payments, data access, gaming, wagering and enterprise mobile applications. CTIA encouraged by NTIA spectrum policy The head of the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) is encouraged by the new spectrum policy released by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on June 24. "We have the tools to make incredible technological innovations and now the NTIA has provided a roadmap for how we can all work together to benefit American consumers," Steve Largent, president and CEO of the CTIA, said in a news release. Largent praised three of the 24 recommendations including the creation of a spectrum sharing test bed for federal and non-federal users, the formation of a Spectrum Management Advisory Committee, and a long-term spectrum planning process. FCC readies for PCS auction in JanuaryThe Federal Communications Commission has started the ball rolling for an auction of 234 PCS licences in the 1.9 GHz range scheduled to begin in January 2005. The licences became available following an agreement between the FCC and NextWave Telecom that was finalized earlier this month. Licences are available in several major markets including Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle and Denver. Some carriers are saying, however, that the auction may not be as successful as it could be because the FCC has decided to give priority to participate to smaller companies. Consumers not ready to cut the cord: research saysNew research from In-Stat/MDR shows that consumers aren’t yet ready to cut the cord on their landline phone, despite increasing evidence that they are using their hard-wired device to a lesser degree. The research firm believes there are many factors governing consumers’ decision to completely cut the cord, but if the option "to have both wireline and wireless services as part of one rate plan, consumers might take it - particularly those older than 25." In-Stat warns wireline providers to not rest on their laurels, however, because real dollar decisions may cause consumers to go wireless only.

ROW Short Takes

News | June 30, 2004

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