COGNICASE and Microcell Partner to Offer Advanced
Wireless E-Services: - Creation of a Global E-Commerce
Joint Venture.
MONTREAL, CANADA--COGNICASE Inc. (Nasdaq:"COGI") and Microcell
Labs Inc. jointly announced today that they have entered into an
agreement in principle to form an Internet and Wireless provider
of advanced E-Services.
"This strategic partnership is a clear recognition of the value
and potential of the leading-edge technologies that COGNICASE can
bring to this growing market", mentioned Ronald Brisebois,
President and CEO, COGNICASE Inc. "This collaboration with
Microcell, a leader in PCS and mobile communication, will enable
us to deliver unique services to the fast growing number of
individuals relying on wireless and Internet services for their
business and personal transactions".
The new joint venture will incorporate Microcell Labs's leading
technologies in the field of Unified messaging, Web Telephony
integration and Residential Gateways, therefore expanding the
breath and scope of E-Services.
"This is a tremendously exciting venture for Microcell", said
Andre Tremblay, President and CEO, Microcell Telecommunications
Inc. "This partnership will bring a world of new services to our
Fido customers by using the wide range of possibilities stemming
from the convergence of wireless and the Internet", he added.
The new company capitalises on COGNICASE's eMP-Apps and 'Watch 4
Me 7/24' technologies to provide 'Smart information on demand' to
the Wireless and Internet community.
The potential reach for the services of the new venture represents
a major opportunity as the overall world-wide number of wireless
users is expected to grow to more than 1 billion by 2003 (Source:
GSM Association).
NB Capitals Partners Inc., a merchant bank affiliated with
National Bank of Canada, has agreed in principle, subject to
certain approvals and due diligence, to invest CDN$15 million in
the new company.
About Microcell
Microcell Labs Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microcell
Telecommunications Inc. (Nasdaq: "MICT"; TSE:"MTI.B"). Microcell
is a Canadian wireless communications company. Its PCS network,
which is based on the GSM (Global System for Mobile
communications) standard, serves 53 % of the Canadian population.
PCS services are available under the Fido(R) brand name in a
number of centres including Quebec, Sherbrooke, Montreal,
Ottawa-Hull, Oshawa, St-Catharines-Niagara, Toronto, Hamilton,
Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and
Victoria. Beyond its PCS footprint, Microcell provides analog
roaming capability in an area representing 94 % of the Canadian
population. As a member of the international GSM Association and
the North American GSM Alliance, Microcell also offers roaming
capabilities in over 60 countries and in more than 3,200 U.S.
cities. Microcell Telecommunications has been a public company
since October 15, 1997, and is a member of the TSE 300, TSE 200
and S&P/TSE Canadian Mid Cap indices. Microcell's head office is
located in Montreal. The Company employs over 2,000 people across
Canada.
About COGNICASE
COGNICASE is among the North American leaders in the
implementation of business solutions that leverage information
technology, with offices in several major North American and
European business centers. Based on its business results-driven
approach, Internet Software Technologies, international IT
engineering / hosting center and critical mass of business and
technology expertise, COGNICASE offers innovative solutions that
contribute to the success of its customers in the digital economy.
Its solutions include: implementation of turnkey E-Business
solutions including portal development and evolution, E-Services
software and solutions, re-engineering of existing applications
for E-Business, technology configuration management, as well as
project management and business process improvement consulting
services.
COGNICASE INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES (CIT), a business unit of
COGNICASE Inc., delivers "smart information on demand" by
developing leading edge Internet and wireless software solutions.
It capitalises on COGNICASE'S Internet products, re-engineering
technologies and search engine based on rules and fuzzy logic, and
using JAVA and XML.
COGNICASE INTERNET INNOVATIONS (CII), a business unit of COGNICASE
Inc., positions COGNICASE at the top of the Internet value chain
through the innovation and creation of new e-businesses. CII will
seek out, create, incubate and promote Internet Portal
initiatives. The end result will be a network of interwoven
Internet Portals targeting both vertical markets and diverse
communities and allow COGNICASE to take full advantage of the
Internet economy.
The completion of the transaction described in this press release
contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private Securities Act and is subject to certain factors
including satisfactory due diligence by all parties, the
negotiation and completion of definitive agreements and the
obtaining of certain third party consents. |
