A new report from Maravedis Inc. suggests that there is tremendous opportunity for consumer electronics manufacturers to capitalize on the portability and mobility trend if they jump on the mobile WiMAX bandwagon. But the study, Opportunities and Risks for Embedding WiMAX in Consumer Electronics, notes that a lack of broad network coverage may in fact hurt consumer electronics makers. "The opportunity is now for consumer electronics manufacturers to create their strategy for connecting an assortment of devices to the Internet for anytime, anywhere and high-speed access," said Jeff Orr, senior analyst at Maravedis and author of the report. He notes that there are already some devices that have WiMAX capability, but this hype must be tempered by coverage issues. "Build-out of mobile WiMAX networks must happen at a rapid pace to keep consumers from buying devices that lack places to connect," Orr added.

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.

According to results of a McAfee Inc.-sponsored survey of 1,400 IT professionals, major data losses could severely or even bankrupt companies. The survey was conducted by Datamonitor. About one-third of those surveyed believe that a loss of data involving either an accidental or malicious distribution of confidential data could put them out of business. The survey also revealed that despite the prevalence of breaches, enterprises still aren't devoting enough financial resources to address the problem. On average, respondents allocate one-half of 1% of their overall IT budgets to data security. 

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.

Vonage Holdings Corp. can continue to sell its VoIP phone service throughout an upcoming legal-appeals process now that a federal court has issued a permanent stay of injunction. Vonage had been operating under a temporary stay after a court in Alexandria VA forbade the firm from adding customers – a penalty stemming from a guilty verdict for Vonage in its patent fight against Verizon Communications Inc. The permanent stay will remain in place while Vonage appeals the verdict. The firm plans to pay into escrow a quarterly royalty of 5.5% throughout the appeals process. Vonage is also investigating technological workarounds that would let it skirt Vonage's patents. Verizon sued Vonage for violating three patents relating to translating VoIP calls for the PSTN.

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.

On April 23, Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. issued a terse, one-paragraph press release announcing that its proposed sale to CanWest Global Communications Corp. had passed a review by the Competition Bureau of Canada. The deal – which would see CanWest Global acquire all outstanding shares in Alliance Atlantis for $53 each – still needs the approval of the CRTC. A motion to block the takeover put forward by the Movie Distribution Fund, which is 50% owned by Alliance Atlantis, will also be heard by the Ontario Superior Court next month. The fund believes any acquisition of its part-owner requires its approval.

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.

Most business managers think employees who take work-from-home days actually use the time for personal activities and for arranging their social lives. But two-thirds of employees say working from home makes them more productive or likely to work longer hours. That's the boss-staff disconnect, according to Mitel Networks Corp.'s annual telework survey, conducted in the UK earlier this year. The Ottawa-based communication technology vendor – which sells telework equipment – also learned that 18% of employees would like the opportunity to work from home, and 55% believe it's an acceptable option for workers on any level of the corporate ladder.

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.