June 14, 2006

Wireless News for 16 June 226: Novatel, ONE, Andrew, MobileAccess

By David Sims, TMCnet Contributing Editor

Novatel Wireless, Inc., a vendor of wireless broadband access products, has announced it is supporting ONE, currently a UMTS mobile operator in Austria, in the launch of its High-Speed Downlink Packet Access network.

Novatel Wireless will provide ONE customers with its Merlin U740 PC Cards for fast, reliable connectivity on the carrier's wireless network.

The PC Card provides broadband access to ONE's business and consumer subscribers throughout Austria, with 3G broadband speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps. The product allows users on the go to remain connected to their corporate networks, co-workers and family members while traveling or working remotely.

The flexible architecture of the Merlin U740 also allows for backward compatibility to UMTS and GPRS networks, where HSDPA is not available.

Merlin PC Data Cards are currently available from 25 operators in 26 countries throughout Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

Andrew Corporation, a vendor of communications systems and products, will provide an in-building network system for enhanced wireless signal coverage as part of a major expansion of the Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.

Andrew was chosen to provide a turnkey signal distribution system that will enable wireless services to passengers and employees in the new terminal, concourse, and parking facilities being constructed. Andrew will design, install, integrate, and test the system, which will include Heliax coaxial cables, Radiax radiating cables, and Cell-Max indoor antennas.

Ziegler Meditech Equity Partners led the round, joined by existing investors HabourVest Partners, Pitango Venture Capital, and Poalim Capital Markets - Investment Bank Ltd. Ziegler Meditech specializes in investing in companies developing medical devices and IT products for the healthcare market.

Mobile Access has raised $52 million, including the present round, since it was founded in 1998. The company develops wireless communications infrastructure for ensuring connectivity inside buildings.

With the switch to broadband communications, the company's product provides support for all existing and future types of communications services, enabling customers to add communications services at any time and any place, without disrupting existing services and systems. MobileAccess's system has been installed at over 1,000 hospitals, companies and public buildings. The company's customers include AT&T (News - Alert) Wireless, T-Mobile International AG & Co. KG., Verizon (News - Alert) Communications, Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom.

David Sims is contributing editor for TMCnet. For more articles please visit David Sims’ columnist page.

(source: http://news.tmcnet.com/news/-wireless-news-/2006/06/14/1682771.htm)