COM DEV Wireless to Launch M/ERGY(TM) High-Speed Wireless Internet Product
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, Sept. 26 /CNW/ - COM DEV Wireless, a division of COM
DEV International Ltd. (TSE: CDV) will launch a new high-speed broadband
wireless Internet product named M/ERGY(TM) within the next few months. A
packet-based system incorporating QUALCOMM's High Data Rate (HDR) technology,
M/ERGY will deliver high-speed wireless Internet data at speeds comparable to
current cable and DSL modems and incorporate voice over IP capability. COM DEV
Wireless designs and manufactures leading-edge wireless systems and subsystems
for major global wireless, cellular telephone and PCS system vendors
worldwide.
According to Keith Ainsworth, President and CEO of COM DEV International,
"The ability to obtain high-speed Internet service free from the constraints
of a wired connection, at prices comparable to those of current wired cable
and DSL Internet systems, is expected to be well-received by the public. A
recent study estimated the markets for this type of product to be more than
$40 billion in the USA and $300 billion globally over the next five years. The
principles used to create M/ERGY(TM) are particularly well-suited to optimize
the knowledge and engineering skills that are unique to COM DEV. As a result,
we expect to be among the first to market with this new approach to connecting
to the Internet."
"M/ERGY(TM) will provide full high-speed wireless modem support to a
desktop or laptop computer which is beyond the restricted Internet service
offered by next generation 3G cellular telephones," explained Roger Boivin,
President of COM DEV Wireless. "Cost for the user unit will be comparable to
that of current wired high-speed modems and, unlike point-to-multipoint
services, we've eliminated the need for exterior building antennas that still
require a fixed wire connected to the computer."
Initially, the M/ERGY(TM) terminal device will be approximately the size
of current Personal Digital Assistants, with a PCMCIA card version to follow.
M/ERGY(TM) will support both "nomadic" and fully mobile behaviors, enabling
users to access the Internet from almost anywhere as well as in transit at
speeds up to 120 mph.
M/ERGY(TM), which operates independent of telephone company (Telco)
hardware, is expected to appeal to a wide range of communications, data and
Internet service providers. "By eliminating the expensive telephone circuit
switch, M/ERGY(TM)'s router-based Base Stations will be significantly less
expensive than cellular telephone and LMDS/LMCS Base Stations," stated Josh
Lober, Vice President of Research and Development at COM DEV Wireless. "This
new technology opens countless new opportunities by removing many traditional
barriers."
As outlined in an announcement on September 25, 2000, COM DEV will use
QUALCOMM's HDR technology in Base Stations and mobile terminals of the new
M/ERGY(TM) system. The Base Stations for each of the high-speed digital
wireless cells will be approximately the size of a two-drawer filing cabinet.
They will use several new, but proven digital radio technologies. Various
versions of the system will be available to operate in both licensed and
unlicensed spectrum in the 1.9-5.8 GHz bands. Range will be in the order of
three to seven kilometers depending on the terrain and the selected frequency.
COM DEV plans initially to introduce a complete end-to-end system that
will be used by customers to deliver high-speed wireless access to the
Internet throughout the continental United States. Development of global
markets will follow. The first M/ERGY(TM) prototypes are scheduled to be
available in the fourth quarter of 2000 and the first system ready for trials
in the first quarter of 2001. Negotiations with major telecommunications
companies are now underway for trials in various locations and climates in the
United States and Canada.
Final assembly integration and test of M/ERGY(TM) is planned for COM
DEV's manufacturing center in Moncton, New Brunswick.
About COM DEV
COM DEV International Ltd. based in Cambridge, Ontario, is a leading
producer of wireless infrastructure, as well as a designer and manufacturer of
space hardware subsystems. The company has two divisions: COM DEV Wireless and
COM DEV Space that operate facilities in Canada, the United States, the United
Kingdom and China.
COM DEV Wireless designs and manufactures leading-edge wireless systems
and subsystems that enjoy broad acceptance among global wireless system
vendors. System products include soft radios, broadband wireless Internet
products and TDMA Base Stations. Subsystem products integrate signal
filtering, signal amplification and alarm monitoring in a single compact
electronics package.
COM DEV Space manufactures advanced products and subsystems that are sold
to the major satellite prime contractors for use in commercial communications
and earth science satellites. |
