ROW Update

RIM to face increased competition from American software providerResearch in Motion Ltd. is facing increasing competitive pressure from enterprise mobile applications providers as other companies eye its market share. While RIM has continued to focus on the device side with its proprietary BlackBerry unit, rival Intellisync tells Report on Wireless that supporting a wider range of devices with standards-based software is more effective in garnering industry support. On October 25, the San Jose-based company released its latest software, Mobile Suite 6, which offers support for a variety of Palm, Pocket PC, Smartphone, Symbian devices and more. Company executives explain that where BlackBerry is an email system, Mobile Suite 6 allows the introduction of corporate applications such as enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management in addition to email. Report on Wireless will have a more in-depth analysis of this new software and its potential impact on RIM in an upcoming issue. New BlackBerries broadening RIM’s appealWireless email device maker Research in Motion Ltd. continues to broaden the appeal of its BlackBerry devices by introducing new versions with greater capabilities. In the past two weeks, the Waterloo ON-based company has unveiled the wireless local area network (WLAN) capable BlackBerry 7270 and the 7100r, a lower priced version that resembles a traditional cell phone more than it does a BlackBerry. The 7270, which is expected to be commercially available early next year, offers users Voice over IP functionality through session initiation protocol-based call control to deliver interoperability with IP PBXs and traditional telephony equipment. Telus Mobility allows Mike usage outside of coverage areasTelus Mobility introduced a new ruggedized Mike handset last week that incorporates Mike’s Talk Around service. The unique feature allows subscribers to use their handsets like walkie-talkies even when they are outside of the Mike coverage area. “Mike’s Talk Around is a complement and backup to Direct Connect service, allowing clients to use the Push to Talk feature over a range of up to three kilometres in areas with limited network coverage, such as remote regions or in hard-to-reach places such as underground locations,” Robert Blumenthal, Telus Mobility’s VP of products and services, said in a news release. Fatport gets into the consulting businessFatport is getting into the Wi-Fi consulting business and has recently completed its first contract. The company announced last week that it had finished work on its first contract with Excilan, a company headed up by Fatport’s former president and CEO Sean O’Mahony. “Formed to leverage our vast experience working alongside other innovators in Wi-Fi, Fatport’s professional services division will concentrate specifically on development and integration of roaming into billing systems, as well as on deployment and management of private wireless networks for apartments and offices,” reads an October 21 news release. C-COM teams with RAMTelecom on high-speed access via satelliteC-COM Satellite Systems Inc. and RAMTelecom have teamed up to provide mobile high-speed satellite Internet access services using ViaSat LinkStar technology. RAMTelecom will provide broadband services for C-COM’s iNetVu mobile platform, which will be able to deliver download speeds of 60 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 Mbps. “We are really excited about working with C-COM to offer our high bandwidth service to iNetVu mobile customers. Our system fully supports different grades of high-speed data, Voice over IP and video sessions for those enterprise clients who need immediate access to the Internet while on the move,” RAMTelecom president Ralph Misener said in a news release. Microcell and Starhome ink roaming services agreementMicrocell Solutions Inc. and Starhome have signed a service agreement to provide advanced roaming services for international travelers roaming onto Microcell’s network, giving them, in particular, the ability to extend their home-based user experience with them while on the go. Features in the service include home short code which lets roamers dial habitual short codes for popular services like voice mail and information services. “Our goal is to remove as many barriers as possible so that many roamers can continue using their mobile phones and home country services in a familiar way,” Todd Tomkinson, director of product development and management at Microcell Solutions, said in a news release. RFID becomes intimateCanadelle, one of Canada’s leading intimate apparel companies, has inked an agreement with Psion Teklogix and Application Solutions Inc. (ASI) for the deployment of an RFID system to increased inventory accuracy, worker productivity and customer service levels in its distribution centres. ASI and Psion helped Canadell replace its previous wireless system in its two distribution centres in Montreal. “We needed a reliable mobile computing system that would increase order accuracy and speed up the fulfillment process. ASI and Psion Teklogix’ mobile computing system and support were instrumental in increasing efficiencies in our distribution centres,” Mario Girouard, Canadelle’s supervisor of user services, said in a news release. Wavesat secures additional financingMontreal-based Wavesat Inc. has received another injection of cash, money the company says will accelerate its commercial release of WiMAX certified chips. The Solidarity Fund QFL has chipped in an additional $2.5 million bringing Wavesat’s total investment in this round to $10.5 million.Said Jacques Bernier, VP of telecommunications and IT investments of the Solidarity Fund QFL in a release: “The broadband wireless market will experience considerable growth during the next few years and Wavesat is the leader in this very promising business sector.”

ROW Update

News | October 25, 2004

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