Calgary’s Wireless Matrix Corporation announced last month that it has signed a research and development agreement with the Bell Wireless Alliance/TELUS Mobility Wireless Investment Fund. Under the terms of the agreement, Wireless Matrix will make its IP Anywhere services available to mobile users with Internet-enabled wireless phones. According to Wireless Matrix, IP Anywhere service gives companies the ability to interact with and control remote industrial sites such as oil and gas wells, utility systems, transportation assets and environmental sites. The Bell/TELUS fund was established in 1998 to provide funding for telecommunications R&D by small- and medium-sized companies. Wireless Matrix is on the Web at www.wirelessmatrixcorp.com.
Kanata, Ont.’s CrossKeys Systems Corporation announced it has become involved with three separate industry initiatives, including the Sun Microsystems-led OSS through Java Initiative. According to CrossKeys, innovative operational support systems are needed for 3G wireless networks in order to operate new applications supporting both voice and data, and delivering “end-to-end” services. Crosskeys is also involved in two Telemanagement Forum Catalyst projects, including the Plug and Play IP Service Management Catalyst, led by Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, and the Dimension Data-led IP VPN Management Catalyst. Information on all three initiatives can be found at www.crosskeys.com.
Industry Canada has decided that a comparative licensing process will be used to authorize the development of the Canadian satellite orbital position at 118.7 (degree sign here) West Longitude. Industry Canada says the successful applicant will be able to provide telecommunications services to all regions of Canada using conventional frequency bands. New frequency bands will also enable a provider to offer interactive multimedia and Internet access. In a related announcement, Industry Canada says it has given Telesat Canada, ExpressVu and Star Choice the go-ahead to launch new satellites for the purpose of direct-to-home broadcast services. Industry Canada can be found at www.ic.gc.ca.