RoW Update

Unique Broadband acquires assets from SierraComUnique Broadband Systems Inc. has acquired point-to-point radio communications assets from Massachusetts-based SierraCom, a company that was involved in microwave telecommunications systems. The assets include intellectual property, test equipment, and other inventory. UBS will take over manufacturing of the product and will continue to develop the system into a 3G compliant backhaul IP radio product. "This newly acquired product line is an excellent addition to our wireless product portfolio as it is used by various OEMs for their cellular network rollouts," UBS chair and CEO Gerald McGoey said in a news release. SpaceBridge lands major round of financingSpaceBridge Semiconductor Corp. has scored $21 million in financing from a Quebec-based venture capital fund and existing investors. This is a major coup for the Gatineau QC-based firm given the limited amount of capital that is currently available.The news further demonstrates that the company’s technology has some major support, especially since Alcatel, March Networks’ Terry Matthews, and COM DEV International’s Val O’Donovan have committed for this round of financing as well. "Considering the limited amount of equity investments available in the region, this is a solid indication of the level of confidence that these investors have in SpaceBridge and its products," company president and CEO Avedis Menechian said in a news release. AirIQ grows revenue, launches new servicesAirIQ Inc. has posted a significant increase in second-quarter revenue growing its top line 122% over the same period last year. Revenue for this quarter was nearly $1.4 million compared to approximately $613,000 in last year’s same quarter. Sequentially, revenue is also on the rise growing 16% from $1.2 million.Last week, AirIQ also unveiled its latest fleet tracking product for flat deck trailers, dubbed Flat Decks. The device was specifically designed for this market and adds to the other markets the company serves. AirIQ also introduced three new services: Stationary Status, Get GPS Mileage, and Engine Idling Alert. More details. Microcell withdraws appeal over Nasdaq listingMicrocell Telecommunications Inc. has withdrawn its appeal of the Nasdaq decision to delist the company’s Class B non-voting shares from the Nasdaq National Market, which was to have taken place on July 12. Beginning July 11, the Montreal-based company’s shares were delisted from the Nasdaq market. Microcell’s shares continue to be traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More details. Mitec Telecom posts major loss after taking one-time chargesMontreal-based Mitec Telecom Inc. has posted a net loss of more than $20 million in its fourth quarter after the company was forced to take writedowns following the restructuring of some its international operations. That net loss compares to a slight profit recorded in the same quarter last year. The year-end loss grew to more than $28 million. "Mitec absorbed a number of significant non-recurring charges in fiscal 2002 as a result of the slowdown in the telecommunications industry, particularly in the microwave segment," the company noted in a news release. The charges stemmed from the closing of its Gigatec facility in Sweden and its old Satcom facility, Mitec added. More details. WaveRider expected to post major increase in revenueWaveRider Communications Inc. expects to record a 43% increase in first-quarter revenue topping the US$2.3-million mark. That’s an increase over last year’s Q1 revenue of US$1.6 million. Full financial results will be results at the end of this month. "WaveRider continues to grow its customer base and attract larger organizations with aggressive plans for wireless network deployments during an extremely difficult time for the telecommunications industry," company president and CEO Bruce Sinclair said in a news release. Ottawa company translates 'gen-text' languageText messaging has begun to increase dramatically in Canada this year following the inter-carrier SMS agreement that came into effect on April 2. Anecdotal evidence indicates that text messaging is on the rise, and that there is a correlating rise in the use of text messaging slang, such as ":)", which means smile. An Ottawa company has developed some neat technology that can translate email "emoticons" or slang into proper English and vice versa. The phrase "CU L8r 2nite @ *$’s k" is spelled out as "See you later tonight at Starbucks OK?". The company is still in start-up mode and doesn’t plan to officially launch until the summer. It has been concentrating on building name-awareness and "creating a buzz.""We have been successful at the branding portion, and we are equally successful at the collection portion. As for the revenue model, well, you will need to stay tuned to see how things roll out," transl8it president Dan Wilton told a U.S.-based technology trade publication. More details. INTERNATIONAL NEWS Room for public safety radio operations needed Congress is asking the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to come up with a solution to the interference problem between commercial wireless operators and public safety organizations by July 26. The issue centres around carriers and public safety groups both using radio communications systems operating in the 800 MHz band. There have been a few proposals to avoid interference issues in the future, but Congress says it doesn’t have the time to wait until these plans can be implemented. "Many of our colleagues in Congress believe that the interference presents a very serious problem that needs to be addressed in a timely manner," notes a letter sent to the FCC last week by Billy Tauzin (R-LA) and Fred Upton (R-MI), members of the House of Representatives’ subcommittee on telecommunications. More details. Wi-Fi capability on PDAs coming soonA U.S.-based company is nearing completion of a new wireless card that would bring 802.11b or Wi-Fi connectivity to PDAs, digital wireless phones, and ultra-slim laptop computers. The card is expected to be available by the end of the year. Sychip, a Bell Labs spin-off, said last week that it was almost finished the card.There seems to be reluctance, however, on the device manufacturers’ part since adding Wi-Fi capability would use an unacceptable level of battery power. More details.

RoW Update

News | July 15, 2002

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