ROW Update

Spectrum cap eliminated effective immediatelyLate last week, Industry Canada rescinded its nine-year-old spectrum cap policy noting that it has served its purpose and sees wireless communications competition alive and well (DGTP-10-04; RoW Update, Aug. 27/04). In an August 27 news release, Industry Canada minister David Emerson said: “Today’s decision reflects the maturity of the market, and clarifies the market framework for the industry…Canada’s mobile phone system is highly developed and cell phone users have a variety of service options.” Reaction to the decision will be generally positive, but there is likely to be some opposition to the ruling. Microcell Telecommunications Inc. highlighted its fear in comments on the changes to the spectrum cap (DGTP-008-03; RoW, March 23/04) saying that it could lead to greater consolidation in the market. Coincidently, the Montreal-based carrier is now fighting an unsolicited hostile takeover bid from rival TELUS Corp. Industry Canada proposes to eliminate Morse Code requirements for radio amateursRadio amateurs could be relieved of the requirement to have a five words per minute Morse Code qualification if an Industry Canada proposal to eliminate the requirement is adopted (DGRB-003-04) . Interested parties have 60 days to file comments on the proposal.The International Telecommunication Union’s World Radiocommunication Conference last year eliminated the technical requirement of Morse Code proficiency in licensing radio amateurs. However, it was up to individual administrations to decide whether to maintain the requirement. Since then, more than 20 different countries have eliminated the prerequisite. Three years ago, the department reduced Morse Code proficiency levels for radio amateurs to its current level of five words per minute (DGRB-004-01). Radio amateurs had requested the lower requirement in January 2001 (DGRB-001-01; RoW, Feb. 5/01).Industry Canada amends radio standards for beefed up walkie talkiesIndustry Canada has set out the minimum requirements for the certification of general radio mobile service (GMRS) in the amended Standards Specification 210 (RSS-210). Earlier this year, the department consulted on allowing the sale of GMRS devices in Canada (DGTP-001-04; RoW, April 7/04). The Electro-Federation Canada had told the department that preparing for the availability of the devices could be completed in time for the sale of GMRS devices as early as September.Microcell buys wireless gear from Mitec TelecomMicrocell Solutions Inc. has purchased power amplifier equipment from Mitec Telecom Inc. Announced on August 26, Mitec has sold Microcell its latest generation of GSM booster power amplifier, a product designed to “maximize coverage of existing cell sites and to improve network performance and coverage by boosting cellular signals,” reads a news release. The Montreal-based wireless carrier has had to improve and expand network capacity following the launch of its CityFido wireline replacement program in Vancouver and Toronto. In its most recent financial results, the company indicated that a substantial percentage of its new net additions are signing up for the CityFido package. Infowave settles issues around TPC fundingVancouver-based Infowave Software Inc. has resolved matters surrounding Technology Partnerships Canada funding the company had received last year. Under terms of the agreement, Infowave will receive 15% less than previously announced or $1,093,425. Infowave will now receive a total of $6,196,075. Problems arose in April when the department initiated an audit of the TPC funding award process. “Based on the results of this audit, Industry Canada has taken the position that Infowave breached the terms of its funding agreement by structuring its compensation to a third party consultant as a commission whom was not properly registered under the Lobbyists Registration Act,” reads an August 25 news release. Nokia introduces new multi-function handsetIn conjunction with Bell Mobility, Nokia has introduced its latest innovative handset combining a number of functions into a single design. The 6225 incorporates a VGA camera, hands-free speaker phone and FM radio. Optimized for voice dialing and voice commands, the sleek compact design brings together the latest technologies for voice recording, text messaging and email capabilities. The 6225 also comes with an Internet browser and a large 128x128 colour display. “The Nokia 6225 focuses on voice, imaging and messaging – features that have always been top of mind for our customers,” Grace Belmont, director of marketing for Nokia Products Ltd., said in a news release. Certicom licenses cryptographic toolkit to Avanza TechnologiesMississauga ON-based Certicom Corp. has licensed its Builder Crypto 4.0 to Avanza Technologies, a software company that designs context-based identity and privacy solutions. Avanza will use the cross-platform cryptographic toolkit to build elliptic curve cryptography into (ECC) its secure identity management product, It’sM*iMail. This product “generates an email address that looks and acts like a standard email address but is encrypted with security features that dictate user identification and privileges. Avanza needed the strength of ECC to provide authentication and key exchange, and the small size of the key size to make it all fit,” reads an August 25 news release. “It’sM*iMail fights spam and viruses by creating a non-transferable email address that prevents others from using an email address without the owner’s authority. The Avanza framework gives the email creator control over who can read the message, who can respond to it and how long the address remains valid,” the release continues. Peterson to speak at CABC gala next monthJames Peterson, minister of International Trade, will be the keynote speaker at the Canada-Arab Business Council (CABC) gala dinner on September 13. The event, which will bring together business leaders and senior level decision makers from across Canada, will highlight the significance of two-way trade and investment between Canada and the Arab world. The gathering also strives to encourage both the Canadian private and public sectors to take advantage of the economic opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa. “The Arab countries are showing us an open door. They welcome Canadian expertise and Canadian products in helping them to develop their natural resources as well as to diversify their economies,” chair of the CABC Dwain Lingenfelter said in a news release.

ROW Update

News | 08/30/2004 4:00 am EDT

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