ROW Short Takes

Rogers Wireless to acquire Microcell TelecommunicationsRogers Wireless Inc. and Microcell Telecommunications Inc. announced an agreement on September 20 that will see Rogers Wireless acquire Microcell in an all-cash deal worth $1.4 billion (see editorial on page 8 for Report on Wireless’ commentary on the deal). Rogers Wireless all but signaled its intent to make a bid for Microcell when it filed papers with the Competition Bureau seeking an advanced ruling on whether its acquisition of Microcell would cause any anti-competitive harm. But a bid for Microcell was really cleared when Rogers Communications repatriated the 34% interest previously held by AT&T Wireless. The bid trumps an earlier TELUS Corp. $1.1-billion deal, which was first launched in May and has since been extended a number of times. The company extended the offer of $29 per share on September 20 until October 12. Sierra Wireless teams with Intel on mobilityVancouver-based Sierra Wireless Inc. is teaming up with Intel to deliver integrated wireless connectivity solutions to mobile professionals worldwide. The two companies inked an agreement that will see them collaborate on several initiatives to develop and promote integration in wireless local area networking (WLAN) and wireless wide area networking (WWAN) to provide a better user experience. The first step, according to the two companies, is a simpler and more secure WWAN to WLAN roaming capability. This will combine Intel’s Centrino mobile technology with Sierra Wireless’ AirCard 775. Wireless data services will be provided by an unidentified wireless operator. In other Sierra Wireless news, the company has announced that its Voq professional phone is now available to consumers in North America through Insight, MobilePlanet and RCS Computer Experience. CSI Wireless receives fixed wireless handset orderCalgary-based CSI Wireless Inc. has received a $5.7 million order for its GSM fixed wireless handset from Brightstar Corp. Commercial shipments to Brightstar are expected to begin within 30 days of September 8, the date of the announcement. SAMSys joins RFID interoperability testingSAMSys Technologies Inc. has announced its participation in EPCglobal Inc.’s hardware interoperability testing, which is part of a program initiated by the group to improve electronic product code (EPC) and RFID hardware interoperability within the EPC global community. The hardware testing evaluated SAMSys Technologies’ UHF Class 0 and Class 1 RFID reader configurations with those provided by other manufacturers. SAMSys passed the tests. Colligo helps accounting firms be more productiveVancouver-based Colligo Networks has announced that accounting and audit firms are adopting its wireless collaboration software in greater numbers. Earlier this month, the company announced two major customer wins with Virchow, Krause & Company LLP and Talbot, Korvola & Warwick LLP. "These wins represent a growing trend among accounting firms of all sizes to utilize Colligo Workgroup Edition to facilitate file-sharing and database synchronization," reads a news release. RIM working on interoperability with SymbianResearch in Motion Ltd. and Symbian Ltd. have announced plans to enable Symbian-based wireless devices to access BlackBerry wireless services. As an example, the Nokia 9500 Communicator will be able to connect to BlackBerry services allowing for always-on, push-based wireless access to email, email attachments and calendar. The two companies also noted that both BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service will be supported. IDC reports a spike in revenue for six-month periodInternational Datacasting Corp. (IDC) has reported second quarter revenue of $3.5 million, which is up significantly from the same period last. This jump results in six-month revenue of $7.2 million, growth of nearly 200% from the $3.6 million the company reported in the first half of last year. Net earnings for the second quarter were more than $280,000 compared to a net loss of nearly $650,000 in the same period last year. IDC posted net earnings in the first half of the year of nearly $500,000. Contec releases new developer software and platformVancouver-based Contec Innovations has released the Hornet Accelerator developer resources and Version 3.4 of its Hornet mobile services delivery platform. The Hornet system is considered a world class tool for developing mobile applications. Perry Quan, president and CEO of Contec said in a news release: "The Accelerator is an important step on our way to ‘opening the floodgates’, bringing a large number of third party applications into the wireless space and as such, giving mobile operators the choice they are looking for." NY TV station using Redline wireless equipmentNew York City’s Channel Thirteen/WNET television station has announced that it is using broadband wireless equipment from Redline Communications Inc. for two-way broadcast applications between remote sites and its product studios. WNET says this is quite an achievement given that New York City is considered one of the worst radio frequency environments. Digital Dispatch and Maddocks terminate talksDigital Dispatch Systems Inc. and Maddock Systems Inc. have mutually decided to terminate discussions on a possible merger of the two entities. After weeks of due diligence, the two companies recognize that business and deployment synergies were much lower than previously anticipated. Both companies have, however, agreed to explore ways by which "they might mutually exploit those joint business opportunities that do exist while remaining separate companies," reads a news release.

ROW Short Takes

News | September 22, 2004

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