RoW Short Takes

Rogers Wireless launches wireless modem serviceRogers Wireless Communications Inc. has introduced the Portage Plus service, which enables certain GSM/GPRS devices to operate as modems for laptops or PDAs. The service is specifically designed for certain phones that are equipped with software that turns the cell phone into a modem. Subscribers can send and receive data at speeds comparable to that of a 56K modem. The cost of Portage Plus is $129.99. Data access plans range from 5Mb of data for $30/month to 80Mb for $145/month. Overage fees vary according to rate plan. Rogers is marketing an introductory offer of unlimited data usage for $50/month for the first six months. In other Rogers news, Purolator Courier Ltd. has selected the company to provide a customized end-to-end wireless data system enabling the quick and reliable access to shipping information. Aliant Telecom makes major investment in NBAliant Telecom Mobility has confirmed a $2.8-million investment to upgrade and expand its digital PCS network in the Acadian Peninsula region of northern New Brunswick. The investment calls for the addition of seven new cell sites in the region by the end of this year. The facilities, to be installed in Lameque, Caraquet, Shippagan and Tracadie-Sheila, will be completed by the end of October. Another digital PCS corridor on the highway between Bathurst and Caraquet will be finished by next year. More than 9,000 residents will get PCS service and the company will provide digital service to 90% of the region’s population. Telus Mobility expands digital coverage in Central CanadaTelus Mobility has expanded coverage of its national digital wireless network to several smaller urban centres, rural areas and traffic corridors in Ontario and Quebec. The expanded coverage is the result of network buildouts and the wireless roaming and resale agreement the company signed with Bell Mobility last October (RoW, Oct. 30/01). Telus also signed an agreement with Aliant Telecom Mobility, which will expand Atlantic Canadian coverage. That will be turned on later this year. Sierra Wireless expands into China with supply dealVancouver-based Sierra Wireless Inc. has signed a distribution agreement with Guangdong Iscreate Technology, providing the company with access to the Chinese market. Guangdong will distribute Sierra’s AirCard 750 wireless network card. The product will be commercially available in the market this month. Teleglobe gets court protection; initiates restructuringStruggling international communications provider Teleglobe Inc. has initiated a restructuring strategy, designed to get the company back to profitability. The first move for the BCE Inc. subsidiary was to file for creditor protection, which was granted. As part of the restructuring process, Teleglobe will exit its hosting business and portions of its data transmission business, which will "free itself from the high costs associated with recently built infrastructure, primarily developed to support the discontinued data and hosting operations," Teleglobe stated in a news release. Additionally, the company is laying off 850 employees with 50% coming from U.S. operations, 15% in Canada and the rest in other parts of the world. (For more information, see the May 21/02 edition of affiliated publication Network Letter.) Infowave introduces newest Wireless Business EngineInfowave Software Inc. has announced the general availability of its Wireless Business Engine version 4.4, which offers a full gamut of support for various products. The latest version of Wireless Business Engine offers increased security and scalability, but also provides full support for Microsoft Corp.’s Windows XP, Outlook XP and Pocket PC 2002. The product also marks the commercial availability of two new application connectors that provide seamless interaction with Lotus Domino. SAMSys supports standardSAMSys Technologies Inc. is supporting a global RFID standard by developing an ultra-high frequency (UHF) reader, which will comply with recently drafted standards. The reader is in the final stages of development and is set to be commercially available this July. This product also marks the first multi-frequency and multi-protocol RFID hardware system (RoW Nov. 27/00). CSI Wireless launches fixed wireless phoneCalgary-based CSI Wireless Inc. has introduced its fixed-based digital wireless phone in conjunction with a development and supply agreement with a major organization, which is also a new customer. The name of the organization was not revealed in the news release. Under terms of the agreement, this organization will maintain exclusive rights to the phone as long as it purchases a minimum of $12.5 million of the devices per quarter. The first deliveries are scheduled for the third quarter of this year. Initial purchase orders are contingent on the phone passing product certification, reliability testing and manufacturing line certification. FSO Alliance to convene at WCA conferenceThe Free-Space Optical Alliance (FSO Alliance) will hold two major panel sessions at this year’s Wireless Communications Association’s annual conference and trade show. The advocacy group will also hold its semi-annual membership meeting at the conference in Boston next month. FSO Forum: The Market will be moderated by Maha Achour, president of UlmTech. FSO Forum: CTOs Assess the Future will be moderated by Stephen Mecherle, chief scientist of fSONA Communications. Plaintree lays off 60% of staffFree-space optics product maker Plaintree Systems Inc. has temporarily laid off two-thirds of its staff in a move to conserve cash. The 15 employees left will provide support to current customers and fill new orders with existing inventory. According to an article in the Ottawa Business Journal, the Ottawa-based company is also warning that it needs to raise additional financing or it may have to close its doors. Plaintree executives are placing blame on current market conditions, the Middle East situation and the recent military coup in Venezuela for a delay in anticipated orders. "It’s been one wild delay after another," president and CEO David Watson was quoted in the OBJ last week. He added that the company continues to develop its world-wide customer base and the "orders, although delayed, are expected. As we receive the expected orders, we will recall a number of the employees," Watson said. "I want to emphasize that Plaintree continues to be open for business and aggressively pursue additional sales."

RoW Short Takes

News | May 27, 2002

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