RoW Short Takes

Rogers Wireless introduces new wireless email serviceRogers Wireless Communications Inc. has introduced a new corporate email service, dubbed Wireless Desktop. The service, powered by ViAir’s WirelessInbox email software, provides Rogers’ subscribers with ability to securely access POP3 and corporate email, calendar and contacts from any wireless Internet-enabled phone or browser-enabled device. Wireless Desktop is available for $20 per month for subscribers currently on a voice plan. In other Rogers news, subscribers can now personalize their ring tones with tunes from Disney as well as add graphics to their device’s screens. Each graphic is available for $2, while ring tones cost $2.50. Telus withdraws mobile and ship station servicesTelus Communications Inc. has received approval from the CRTC to withdraw mobile and ship station radiotelephone service in Telecom Decision CRTC 2002-60. Last March, the company applied to remove the service as demand for the service has declined significantly in recent years due to the emergence of more cost-effective satellite-based systems. Telus proposed to offer current users $1,200 to cover the cost of upgrading to newer systems, but the commission determined that amount not to be enough. The CRTC order the company to offer a $1,500 payment. Aliant Mobility to launch dispatch servicesAliant Telecom Mobility will deploy Nextair’s mobile dispatch system for ecommerce applications. Dubbed Wirefree Dispatch, the service will allow orders to be received on a variety of wireless devices. It also enables the message recipient to confirm receipt, accept the order, track progress and parts used in real time. Kaval Wireless completes deployment in CasinoKaval Wireless Technologies Inc. has completed deployment of its LinkNet in-building wireless coverage system in the Ameristar Casino St. Charles entertainment facility, which is located on the banks of the Missouri River. The gaming company chose to install the Kaval system to enhance coverage of cellular, paging and mobile radio services for the casino’s customers, staff and security personnel. FatPort adds Best Western to Wi-Fi networkFatPort has completed a broadband wireless network, based on the 802.11b wireless protocol, in the Best Western Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Commonly known as Wi-Fi, 802.11b is an inexpensive method of providing Internet connectivity to multiple terminals. The "FatZone" covers all 120 rooms, conference rooms and restaurant within the Best Western Sands hotel. ViXS announces chip sampling is availableViXS Systems Inc. has announced that its XCode video networking chip is now sampling with lead customers. The chips transform digital set-top boxes into home gateways possible of transmitting broadcast-quality video to multiple TVs and other devices. The XCode chip adjusts bit rates, resolutions and formats of multiple video streams in real time so that the required 30 frames/second to get full motion video is achieved (RoW, Sept. 3/02). Colligo enables P2P on Windows devicesColligo Networks Inc. has powered up the next level of peer-based collaboration and messaging applications by extending its device support to those operating on Windows-based environments. New devices such as Pocket PCs and Tablet PCs will be supported. Colligo Personal Edition is aimed at businesses and OEMs and it enables real-time interactions such as messaging and project collaboration. The company is leveraging the growth of Bluetooth-enabled and 802-11b-based wireless devices. SR Telecom signs deal with Botswana TelecomSR Telecom Inc. has signed a $3.5-million contract with Botswana Telecommunications Corp., the national exchange carrier for the country. SR Telecom will provide the company with its SR500 point-to-multipoint system and Insight NMS network management software. All products will be supplied through Siemens Telecommunications Ltd., which is the prime contractor for the project. Equipment deliveries are scheduled to take place during the fourth quarter of this year. Bell Canada and Linksys launch resource centreBell Canada is teaming up with Linksys to launch a home networking online resource centre for Sympatico high-speed Internet subscribers. Located at www.linksys.com/bellsympatico, Sympatico high-speed Internet subscribers can learn more about home networking. Linksys is a provider of wireless home networking equipment. Unity Wireless teams with PMC-SierraVancouver-based Unity Wireless Corp. has teamed up with PMC-Sierra to provide better power amplifiers. Under the Smart Amplifier Project, the company has announced that it will use PMC-Sierra’s PALADIN waveform processors to develop digital pre-distortion power amplifiers. Mobile Knowledge signs deal with taxi companyOttawa-based Mobile Knowledge Inc. has signed a key deal with Taxi Equipment Co., which supplies dispatch, support and technology to two of Los Angeles’ major taxi fleets. Under terms of the agreement, Taxi Equipment has agreed to purchase 350 Series 6000 in-vehicle data terminals. The company will outfit 350 of 1,150 vehicles as the first part of its service upgrade program. Mobile Knowledge has also agreed to cooperate with National Taxi Services to work on the customer dispatch software, which Taxi Equipment uses. CSI Wireless lands major order for fixed wireless phoneCSI Wireless Inc., Calgary, has received a $20-million purchase order from Brightstar Corp. for the Canadian company’s three-watt, digital, fixed-based wireless telephone. Brightstar, which is a Motorola Inc. licensee, will distribute the phone in Latin America. The phone will be branded as the Motorola FX800t. The purchase order is the result of a development and supply agreement the two companies signed in May 2002. CSI did not previously disclose the identity of that partner. Nortel revises outlookNortel Networks Corp. is blaming a continued decrease in spending by service providers in the U.S. and wireless carriers in Asia for the need to revise revenue forecasts for the remainder of this year. Global connectivity policy needed: conference toldThere are still 1.5 million villages around the world that remain unconnected to basic telephony, and it will take a global policy in this regard to eliminate the gap between rich and poor regions, the International Telecommunication Union’s 16th Plenipotentiary Conference was told last week. These villages could be connected for less than the price paid for a 3G licence in one of the developed countries, Yoshio Utsumi, secretary-general of the ITU, said in a news release opening the conference. The speeches are available at http://www.itu.int/plenipotentiary/policystatements. Sygnet releases radiation protection headsets in U.S.Israel-based Sygnet Technologies has announced the commercial availability of radiation protection headsets in the United States and Europe. Dubbed RadFree, the headsets use patent pending AirWave technology, which reduces the level of radiation reaching the brain from any cell phone. According to the company, levels are reduced by 98%. Vocera improves in-building communications coverageVocera Communications Inc., La Jolla CA, has introduced the Vocera Communications System, which improves voice communications for buildings or campuses networked with 802.11b wireless equipment. Mobile in-building personnel will now be able to communicate more effectively in a hands-free, voice-controlled environment. The system is targeted at the healthcare, retail and manufacturing sectors. Integrated communications enjoys revivalThe provisioning of multiple communications services by a single operator, wireless/wireline integration or fixed mobile convergence is enjoying a revival, according to In-Stat/MDR. The research firm says that the ability to offer converged telecommunications services makes larger operators more nimble and better equipped to compete in the market.

RoW Short Takes

News | September 30, 2002

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