ROW Short Takes

SMS is king for US mobile subscribers, according to new researchText messaging ruled the roost for US mobile wireless subscribers in the month of July, according to recently released data from M:Metrics. The figures below show that nearly 40% of American wireless subscribers have sent a text message. But the research also notes that a healthy portion of subscribers in the United States are sending picture messages, browsing for news and information and purchasing ringtones. DragonWave services deployed in GermanyBroadband enabler and system integrator Wireless Distribution has initiated deployment of Ottawa-based DragonWave Inc.’s AirPair mesh backbone for Televersa Online’s WiMAX network in southeast Germany. The network will provide access to rural areas with a coverage of 20,000 square kilometres to a population of over 2.5 million. The AirPair provides interference-free, broadband connectivity in licensed bands, as well as carrier-grade service levels. "Our selection of DragonWave enables Televersa Online to greatly extend the coverage of our broadband services from a current coverage of 60% to 95%," said Jurgen Pfitzner, president and CEO of Televersa, in a news release. AirPair, which has indoor and outdoor deployment options, enables 99.999% service availability. Wavesat, Siemens team up on WiMAX solutionsDorval QC-based Wavesat Inc., which develops WiMAX chipsets, software and development tools, is collaborating with the microwave networks division of Siemens Networks LLC on WiMAX Forum Certified solutions based on IEEE 802.16 standards. Specifically, the two companies are conducting interoperability between Siemens WayMax vantage base station and customer premises equipment based on Wavesat’s WiMAX 3.5 GHz Mini-PCI design and DM256 chipset. "The microwave networks division of Siemens has been at the forefront of WiMAX development and our interop testing has been a great success," said Wavesat’s president and CEO Michel Guay in a press release. "This first step lays the foundation for a long and successful collaboration and we look forward to successful deployments of Wavesat based subscriber stations with Siemens." IPTV, IMS over WiMAX from NortelNortel Networks has unveiled real-time, multimedia IPTV and IMS services over a live high-speed WiMAX network. The company demonstrated the services earlier this month at the WiMAX World trade show in Boston, emphasizing the company’s expertise in delivering personalized, IP-based broadband services across any device. In the demonstration, an IPTV service over a WiMAX connection is used to view and download broadcast TV with an integrated electronic program guide. While this is going on, users can also share instant messaging and pictures captured on screen or from other devices with other viewers. As well, the demonstration allowed viewers to make VoIP calls using IMS, showing click-to-call capabilities. New gamers to drive mobile games revenue over $10 billion by 2009According to the latest study from Juniper Research Ltd., mass market casual games will propel global mobile games market growth over the next three years. "The casual games sector is going to be the market driver, even though it may not be at the leading edge of mobile games technology," said Juniper’s research director Bruce Gibson in a news release. "Casual games make the most use of the inherent advantages of the mobile platform. People want to fill ‘dead time’ with easy-to-use, but fun games." Juniper estimates that global mobile games revenue will grow from US$3 billion in 2006 to US$10.5 billion in 2009. Faith-based mobile phone coming from TelePlusTelePlus Wireless Corp. has entered into an agreement with Christian mobile phone company FaithFone Wireless of Phoenix AZ to deploy a faith-based cell phone. Once available, the FaithFone will be the first faith-based mobile phone to deliver daily devotionals, Bible passages, prayers of the day, live advice and like-minded entertainment content. "The faith community represents one of the largest niches in the market and they currently share their affinities through a variety of other mediums such as TV, radio and Internet," said TelePlus’ CEO Marius Silvasan in a press release. "Mobile telecom is the next step in their evolution." BlackBerry game publisher launches mobile content portalMagmic Games, the world’s largest developer and publisher of games for BlackBerry handsets, has launched Bplay, a mobile content portal housing the world’s top entertainment brands to service the BlackBerry market. Entertainment publishers such as THQ Wireless, PopCap Games, Konami, Globalfun and National Thoroughbred Racing Association will be featured at Bplay, which will have a Web storefront and an on-device icon for downloading content over the air. Users can visit bplay.com from their BlackBerry browser to download games like Frogger, Destroy All Humans, Dance Dance Revolution, Breeders’ Cup, Texas Hold’em King and many more. Nokia, Intel bringing wireless broadband to notebooksNokia has developed an HSDPA connectivity module for notebook computers, which will be delivered to notebook manufacturers by Intel Corp. as part of its next-generation Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology platform. "Notebook users are increasingly interested in wireless broadband access, and 3G offers a strong solution that is available today," said Mooly Eden ,VP and GM of Intel’s mobile platforms group, in a news release. "This module complements Intel’s Wi-Fi and WiMAX solutions to offer expanded connectivity options for notebook users." The combination of HSDPA cellular connectivity with other wireless technologies in notebook computers enables users to choose the best radio connection. BelAir delivering broadband wireless mesh with SiemensKanata ON-based BelAir Networks has announced a worldwide agreement with Siemens Networks LLC that will enable Siemens to market and sell BelAir products under the Siemens brand. The companies have already teamed on several projects for leading cable and cellular operators, focusing on WiMAX mesh deployments and cellular backhaul. "The BelAir family of products gives network operators a proven, carrier-grade solution that can deliver the broadband services their customers expect from next generation wireless networks," said Joerg Lippert, Siemens’ senior VP and GM of mobile networks, in a press release. Sprint Nextel purchases more licenses from InfowaveBurnaby BC-based Infowave Software Inc., which provides field service automation and enterprise mobile applications, has announced that telecommunication giant Sprint Nextel has purchased US$1.2 million of additional software licenses and support. Coupled with a recent enhancement project, Sprint Nextel has committed to purchase in excess of US$2.5 million of Infowave’s products and services. "With each successive client engagement, we have shown to deliver additional benefits in ensuring regulatory compliance, improving operation efficiencies, increasing revenues, and enriching customer experiences," said James Suttie, CEO of Infowave, in a news release. Telecom vendors, carriers lead Canadian R&D spendingAccording to Canada’s Top 100 Corporate R&D Spenders List 2006 from Research Infosource Inc., Canada’s top corporate research and development companies invested $12 billion in R&D activities in fiscal 2005, up 4.9% over the previous year. The number one and two spenders respectively were Nortel Networks with $2.25 billion invested in R&D, and Bell Canada with $1.74 billion. As for sector spending, communications/telecom led the way, accounting for 26% of R&D investments in fiscal 2005. Telus Corp. recorded the second-highest increase in R&D funding between 2004 and 2005, upping its investment by 120.5%. TrackItBack will find your lost cell phoneThose who have a constant fear of losing or misplacing their cellular phone should take a look at Winnipeg-headquartered phone recovery service TrackItBack. For a one-time service fee of $9.95 TrackItBack consumers get a TrackItBack ID label that they can affix to their portable electronic device. When a lost device is found, the label instructs the finder to contact TrackItBack. All finders receive a TrackItBack gift pack and customers have the option of offering an additional cash reward. "TrackItBack provides our customers with piece of mind, protects their privacy and is not only effective, but affordable," said TrackItBack president Jason Wagner in a news release. March Networks to deploy video surveillance for TTCThe Toronto Transit Commission has selected March Networks Corp. for mobile video surveillance on its city buses and streetcars. Funding was approved by the Toronto City Council to begin the project with deployment on 100 vehicles. The remainder of the funding will come from the 2007 budget. The advanced video surveillance will increase security and safety for passengers and drivers on TTC vehicles. "As one of the largest transit authorities in North America the TTC requires the most reliable and scalable mobile video solution to ensure their security needs are met," said Peter Strom, president and CEO of March Networks in a press release. The entire fleet of TTC buses and streetcars totals more than 1750 vehicles.

ROW Short Takes

News | 10/20/2006 4:00 am EDT

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