ROW Short Takes

2300/3500 MHz auction to begin in Round 2Industry Canada has announced that the residual auction for frequencies in the 2300 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, scheduled to begin on January 10, will start in Round 2. Round 1, which was as the transition between initial bids and the public auction, served to determine standing high bidders on licences where there is contention between a number of players. Activity requirements in the initial rounds of stage 1 will be set at 75% of eligibility points. The bid increment will be the maximum value of either 15% of the standing high bid from the previous round, or $150 per eligibility point associated with the particular licence. Report on Wireless will again be providing daily auction coverage. More information will be soon available on the web site. Virgin Canada files for FLASH-IT trademarkVirgin Mobile Canada, a partnership between Virgin Mobile and Bell Mobility, has filed for a trademark covering the term FLASH-IT. The trademark is related to customer reward, loyalty and incentive programs. Virgin Canada, which is slated to launch service during the first quarter of 2005, will likely focus on the youth and pre-paid market in Canada, a strategy the company has employed in other markets, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Nortel Networks wins 3G contract with SprintNortel Networks Corp. has secured a contract renewal with Sprint valued at approximately US$1 billion over a three-year period for the deployment of advanced wireless equipment to support Sprint third-generation wireless network. The agreement also covers a potential broadband network upgrade to 1xEV-DO Release A or 1xEV-DO Release D technologies. Nortel will provide base stations, base station controllers, switching platforms and other related equipment. The Ontario-based firm will also provide Sprint with 1xEV-DO equipment in several key markets. NorthernTel invests in leading-edge wireless research NorthernTel-Télébec is investing $1 million in the Télébec Mobilité Underground Communications Laboratory through the Foundation de l’Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue (UQT). This investment is in addition to the $600,000 committed in 2001 and prolongs the agreement between the company and the university by three years. The funding will go to support research and development of solutions and applications using wireless communications for voice, data and image transmission. The money will also go to the development of control and identification communications systems used in underground mines. "The constant change and emergence of wireless telecommunications technologies makes adequate investment in research and development crucial. Our partnership with UQAT will ensure that wireless telecommunications are adapted to the specifications and the strengths of our local mining industry," NorthernTel-Telebec president and CEO Roch Dube said in a news release. C-Chip inks strategic partnership with Rent CentricC-Chip Technologies Corp. has entered into a strategic partnership with Rent Centric Inc., a software solutions provider to the rental car industry. Under the partnership, Rent Centric will market C-Chip’s products as part of its solutions offered to the vehicle rental organizations. C-Chip’s products covered under the partnership include the Credit-Chip, the Shadow and the Falcon. The Credit-Chip, when connected to a vehicle’s starter, allows the vehicle to be turned on or off using a simple web-based application. The Shadow has the same capabilities as Credit-Chip, but also features two-way communications and GPS functionality. The Falcon is an anti-theft device using RFID technology to identify authorized users. "Rent Centric is focusing on a market segment that offers substantial growth for our company. They have a clear focus and we expect that they will be able to leverage their existing clientele base to achieve significant revenues in selling our products. The car rental industry is a sector that we are targeting and this agreement with Rent Centric will allow us to speed up our market penetration of the market," C-Chip president and CEO Stephane Solis said in a news release. Redline teams with Fortress on long-haul broadbandRedline Communications and Fortress Technologies are teaming up to deliver a broadband system to address the need for highly secure long-range wireless connectivity. A news release reads: "The combined offering will enable customers to implement wireless infrastructure technology that has the flexibility to scale their needs while offering the speed and security users demand." The system has already passed interoperability testing and is generally available today. Government and military applications require security levels that are very high. Security enhanced 802.16 based technology can be an effective communications conduit alternative where fibre networks are either not an option or impractical. Sierra Wireless launches Voq phone in CanadaVancouver-based Sierra Wireless Inc. has introduced the Voq professional phone to the Canadian market through distribution agreements with Cellcom Wireless and Uptown Communications. Rogers Wireless Inc. offers the service. The Voq phone combines the best features of a cell phone, a messaging device and a PDA for the busy mobile professional. The device also features VoqMail an "always there" mobile email application that doesn’t require any additional enterprise server or desktop redirector software to purchase, install and manage. "There has been considerable interest in the Voq Professional Phone since it was first announced, and we are pleased to deliver a comprehensive tool that combines voice calling, messaging, email, calendar and contact information to Canadian mobile professionals looking for a practical way to stay in touch with colleagues, clients, and family," Sierra Wireless’ VP of sales, Americas Dan Schieler said in a news release. 724 Solutions lights up data services for Vodafone724 Solutions Inc. has announced that its X-treme MMS Accelerator (XMA) is being used by Vodafone UK to enable several premium wireless content services. Vodafone launched XMA-based service in August 2004, providing football updates to its subscribers. The software is also allowing Vodafone to offer Vodafone live!, a service offering the latest news and stories, weather, entertainment and sports updates. Nextel and RIM debut new Bluetooth BlackBerryNextel Communications Inc. and Research in Motion Ltd. have announced the general availability of the BlackBerry 7520, a wireless handheld that features Bluetooth for hands-free talking using a combination of headset and car kits. It also incorporates GPS satellite technology to support the E911 services. The device also supports cross-border direct-connect services. "BlackBerry continues to be an important part of Nextel’s wireless business solutions strategy and Nextel has made it a priority to offer customers a true mobile office experience in a handheld device that empowers them to make their business life and personal life easier to manage," Blair Kutrow, VP of product management at Nextel, said in a news release. Wi-Fi coming to a Mac’s store nearest youInfo Touch Technologies Corp. and Fatport Corp. have teamed up to provide broadband wireless connectivity across the ZapLink network at 34 select Mac’s convenience store locations in the greater Vancouver area. There are two rate plans for consumers: $9.95 for daily usage or $34.95 for monthly access. "Starting with 34 stores in Vancouver, and potentially moving through 200 more sites across Western canada, Mac’s has a large percentage of the Canadian public walking through its doors on a daily basis. Fatport is looking forward to co-marketing services in these locations and to providing customers with high-speed wireless access. It will now be easier than ever to find a spot to check email or to make calls on a Voice over IP phone," Fatport VP of business development Michael Kuhlmann said in a news release. Airborne acquires Cellus USAMontreal-based Airborne Entertainment Inc. has acquired Cellus USA Inc., a developer of mobile storefronts, and a publisher of ringback tunes and ringtones. In acquiring Cellus, Airborne takes another step to solidifying its position in the North American mobile entertainment industry. "Airborne’s strong brand relationships, product lines and carrier distribution, combined with Cellus’ mobile storefront capabilities and comprehensive content catalog provides substantial incremental revenue generation possibilities for us, as well as for our carrier and brand partners," Airborne CEO Garner Bornstein said in a news release. MDSI secures contract with Time Warner Cable MDSI Mobile Data Solutions Inc. has secured a contract with Time Warner Cable, allowing the cable company to offer a new level of customer service. MDSI will provide Time Warner Cable with its Advantex r7.4 for its Rochester NY field staff. "Before Advantex, routing service orders used to take us 70 hours per week; now we can complete the job in a couple of hours a day. We can route 2,000 plus orders in just under 20 minutes with Advantex - that translates to increased productivity, faster service, and happier customers," Time Warner Cable director of operations Nancy Tirabassi said in a news release.

ROW Short Takes

News | December 15, 2004

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