ROW Short Takes

Rogers and Melodeo unveil first mobile podcast service in North AmericaRogers Wireless and Melodeo Inc. have teamed up to launch Rogers Podcast Service, the first mobile Podcast service on the continent. Through Melodeo’s Mobilcast software, Rogers Wireless customers will now have the option to listen to daily-updated Podcasts on their cell phones covering 16 different categories, including news and sports, technology, music, and comedy. "As the leading wireless carrier in Canada, we know our customers are looking for relevant, timely and exclusive content and with Rogers Podcast Service we are providing them with the latest mobile innovation to feed that need," said John Boyton, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Rogers Wireless. Winncom to offer BelAir wireless mesh networks in U.S. and EuropeWi-Fi and broadband wireless products distributor Winncom Technologies will market and support Ottawa-based BelAir Networks’ wireless mesh networking product family in the U.S. and Europe. Through the agreement, Winncom will provide channel partners with a one-stop shop option, including pre- and post-sales support, quick turnaround time, payment options and improved logistics. "Winncom’s deep technical expertise, broad geographic reach, and complementary products are a good fit for BelAir," said BelAir’s VP of marketing, Phil Belanger in a news release. Spotwave closes $10 Million in venture fundingMotorola Ventures, the venture capital arm of Motorola Inc., joined an existing group of investors, closing an expansion round of financing for Spotwave Wireless at US$10 million. The new funds will aid worldwide marketing and distribution efforts of Spotwave’s indoor wireless coverage products. Said Bill Carlin, CEO of Spotwave in a news release: "Additionally, this funding will enable us to develop new products that will be the catalysts for the convergence of wireless and multimedia in the home." Ottawa startup Airwide Solutions raises $25 million in new fundingWith the goal of expanding its wireless messaging and security software sales, Airwide Solutions raised US$25 million in new funding. The British company, which has development operations in Ottawa, sells software to deliver mobile text messaging, marketing and security services to 70 wireless carriers and other companies in 46 countries worldwide. The company is a product of the 2004 merger of Schlumberger Messaging Solutions and Taral Networks of Ottawa. CBC/Radio-Canada’s Olympic coverage to be delivered by BellDuring the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, Bell Mobility customers will be able to watch exclusive CBC/Radio-Canada mobile video coverage on their handsets. Bell’s 1x and EvDO networks will provide downloadable Olympic highlight packages throughout the day (18 times in English, 13 in French) each day of the Games. As well, subscribers with MobiTV functionality will be able to watch broadcast coverage live on their phones. "This is the first time Canadians can truly be part of the Olympic Games experience while mobile," said Bell Mobility’s VP, marketing, David Inns in a news release. "We are changing the way Canadians will experience the 2006 Olympic Winter Games and beyond." Cyngal Technologies secures US$5 million in debt financingLaurus Master Fund Ltd. has agreed to provide up to US$5 million in additional debt financing to Markham-based Cyngal Technologies Corp., for working capital purposes. In consideration, Cyngal will pay Laurus a closing payment of US$175,000 and issue Laurus 575,000 common shares of Cyngal. Said Jos Wintermans, CEO Cyngal in a news release: "We believe this financing supports the execution of our business plan over the next 24 months, and we are pleased with Laurus’ readiness to continue to support our efforts." Nortel and Flextronics transfer rescheduled to Q2The transfer of Nortel Networks Corp.’s manufacturing operations, and related activities in Calgary, to Flextronics International scheduled for the first quarter of 2006 will now take place in Q2. The two companies agreed to reschedule the transfer to allow completion of several major information systems changes, which are expected to streamline operations during and after the transition. The companies do not anticipate any changes in cash proceeds involved in the transfer. Nortel transferred its Montreal and Châteaudun, France manufacturing operations to Flextronics last year. Canadian and Korean companies to benefit from iPark and TRLabs allianceCanada’s largest information and communications technology research consortium, TRLabs, signed a collaborative agreement with Korean promotion and business support organization, iPark Silicon Valley. The alliance foresees collaborative R&D projects, business incubation activities and joint seminars that will bridge the gap between Korean and Canadian companies looking to build partnerships and growth opportunities in each other’s countries. "The convergence of Korea’s global ICT leadership, the strong innovation record of Korean companies, and iPark’s presence in Silicon Valley provides our member companies with powerful contacts in Korea and the United States," said TRLabs’ president and CEO Roger Pederson in a press release. Additionally, iPark clients will receive benefits such as access to TRLabs research and test infrastructure, advanced training opportunities, and assistance securing office space and lab facilities. Nortel to deploy converged network at HOT Telecom’s HQ in IsraelVia channel partner Bynet, Nortel has secured a contract to install a converged network at HOT Telecom’s new headquarters in Yakum, Israel, a project estimated at US$1.5 million. The network will equip HOT’s 1,400 employees with anytime access to voice, email and multimedia collaboration. Connectivity will be provided between HOT’s internal telephone system and the IP system that the company uses to provide its customers with service. "This latest technology will allow the company to reduce costs and increase its efficiency significantly," said HOT CTO, Itzik Nimrodi in a news release. Motorola software allows public safety to move to new spectrumAhead of schedule, Motorola has developed software, enabling equipment critical to public safety communications to be rebanded to a new segment of the 800 MHz spectrum. Due to commercial wireless carriers operating in the same or adjacent spectrum bands, American public safety radio systems – used by police, firefighters, etc. – have been experiencing interference. The Federal Communications Commission ordered public safety to a lower segment of the 800 MHz band to alleviate the problem, and the Motorola software will simplify the transition by providing full interoperability throughout. Motorola tested the software on each of 90 platforms involved, and it will be available about three months ahead of schedule. Motorola RAZR V3c available across Canada from TelusThe "stunningly sophisticated," EvDO-capable Motorola RAZR V3c handset is now available nationally from Telus Mobility. "The unique and innovative design of the RAZR V3c certainly turns heads, but its ability to operate at broadband data speeds on the Telus wireless high speed network means it will impress with more than just its looks," said Robert Blumenthal, senior VP products and services for Telus in a news release. The companies boast that the RAZR "takes the wait out of surfing the Internet and downloading large files." Its features include a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth support, video capabilities, MP3 player and advanced speech recognition. SlipStream solution to deliver improved data experience in AfricaSlipStream Data Inc.’s newest mobile acceleration, network optimization, and compression product will now be distributed in Africa by Systemsfusion. SlipStream’s mobile product reduces network data load by up to 80%, with quicker delivery of Web and multimedia content. "Mobile operators in Africa have hesitated to offer Internet access as the connectivity to the handset was too slow," said Systemsfusion’s sales director, Giovanni Venturella, in a news release. "By placing SlipStream’s acceleration and bandwidth optimization solution on their networks, GSM operators will be able to deliver Web and email access at very exciting data transfer speeds throughout their network."

ROW Short Takes

News | 02/08/2006 5:00 am EST

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