Partnership with Omnipoint
AimGlobal Technologies, Electronics Manufacturing Division, Aimtronics Corporation, to manufacture mobile location products for Omnipoint Technologies, Inc.
AMEX and TSE: AGT
TORONTO, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - AimGlobal Technologies (TSE, AMEX: AGT) today announced that Omnipoint Technologies, Inc. a subsidiary of Omnipoint Corp. (NASDAQ: OMPT) and Aimtronics Corporation, the EMS division of AimGlobal Technologies, have entered into a strategic partnership. Aimtronics will manufacture the Omnipoint Location Measurement Unit (LMU) at Aimtronics' state-of-the-art, Delta, British Columbia manufacturing facility.
Omnipoint Technologies develops products and technology for the global
GSM market to meet the requirements of the FCC Enhanced 911 (E911) Phase II
mandate for locating wireless emergency calls. The Omnipoint systems also
allow wireless operators to address lucrative location based services markets.
The Omnipoint LMU will provide the network measurement and timing support for
any of the standardized GSM wireless location technologies, including Enhanced
Observed Time Difference (E-OTD), Uplink Time of Arrival (UL-TOA), and
Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS).
Emergency 911 call centers in the United States receive a daily average
of over 100,000 emergency calls originating from wireless phones. The lack of
accurate location data from wireless phones has long been a problem for
emergency responders attempting to locate traumatized victims and witnesses of
emergency events. The FCC mandate requires wireless carriers to provide
Automatic Location Identification (ALI) beginning in 2001 and phasing in over
several years. Wireless callers must be located with an accuracy of 100 meters
for carriers choosing network based technologies or within 50 meters for
carriers choosing handset based technologies. On October 27, 1999, President
Clinton signed legislation establishing the 911 emergency number throughout
the United States for both landline and wireless telephone use.
Omnipoint's products will also allow GSM carriers worldwide to offer
enhanced value added location based services such as roadside assistance,
navigation assistance, driving directions, location sensitive billing, mobile
yellow pages, and e-commerce. Such services are considered key components of
the rapidly expanding market for mobile data and wireless Internet access.
The Company confirmed that providing the technology and capacity to meet
the needs of Omnipoint Technologies now and in the future was one of the keys
in establishing the relationship. This strategic partnership fulfills another
important element for Aimtronics and its business plan through expanding its
relationship and customer base with major radio frequency (RF) and wireless
OEM's.
Michael Marti, President of Aimtronics stated, "The expenditure by cell
phone infrastructure providers to comply with the FCC regulations is
anticipated to approach US $600 million over the next 3 years. We can expect a
host of spin-off applications, which will also be based on the ALI technology.
This would include asset tracking, fleet management, pet and person tracking,
and numerous other applications. Combined, these applications will increase
the need for LMU's and the spending by the infrastructure providers to,
potentially, several billion dollars. Omnipoint's selection of Aimtronics as
their strategic partner highlights the capability of Aimtronics to participate
in a burgeoning new market for wireless communications."
John Pottle, Director -- PCS Infrastructure Products of Omnipoint
Technologies said, "The combination of advanced manufacturing technology,
leading edge procurement, and state-of-the-art processes were key to
Omnipoint's selection of Aimtronics as a strategic partner. In addition, the
product design support and supply chain management services offered by
Aimtronics will give Omnipoint a real competitive edge in this market."
About Aimtronics Corporation
Aimtronics, a wholly owned subsidiary of AimGlobal Technologies (TSE,
AMEX: AGT) offers a complete range of Electronics Manufacturing Solutions and
is a leading technical provider of services in the Microelectronics industry.
Aimtronics' supply chain management solutions offer design assistance --
reducing time-to-market metrics, time-to-volume metrics, full product testing,
packaging, warranty service, and end-of-life support. Aimtronics'
Microelectronics Technology Centre provides proprietary thick and thin film
hybrid design and assembly including Chip-on-Board, Multi-Chip Module, and
Flip-Chip technologies.
Through five facilities located across the country Aimtronics' serves the
high technology markets through out North America.
About Omnipoint Technologies, Inc.
Omnipoint Technologies, Inc. is a leading developer and supplier of
wireless communication technologies, products and engineering services. As a
pioneer in the industry, Omnipoint Technologies is on the forefront of
developing and integrating advanced wireless technologies, such as GSM, GPRS
packet data, EDGE, positioning and Internet access.
Omnipoint Technologies supplies GSM-based wireless data modules for
integration into product applications and designs. Further information can be
found on the Internet at omnipoint-tech.com.
Founded in 1987, the parent company, Omnipoint Corporation, is a leader
in commercializing Personal Communication Services (PCS). In addition to
Omnipoint Technologies, Omnipoint Corporation also includes Omnipoint
Communications Services, the PCS service operator providing advanced wireless
communications services in much of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, eastern
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, southern
Florida, Michigan and Indianapolis; it intends to provide those services in
additional areas. The company's stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market
under the symbol OMPT. Further information can be found on the Internet at
omnipoint.com.
Omnipoint is a founding member of the North American GSM Alliance, a
group of North America's leading digital wireless Personal Communication
Services companies. Using GSM communications technology, Alliance companies
provide superior voice clarity, unparalleled security and leading-edge
wireless voice, data and fax features for customers, whether at home, away or
abroad. Other GSM Alliance members include: Aerial Communications, Inc.;
Airadigm Communications, Inc.; BellSouth Mobility DCS; Conestoga Wireless
Company; Cook Inlet PCS; DIGIPH PCS; Microcell Telecommunications Inc.; NPI
Wireless; Pacific Bell Wireless; Powertel, Inc.; STPCS Joint Venture, LLC;
VoiceStream Wireless Corp.; and Wireless 2000 PCS.
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed
and the statements made in this release concerning Omnipoint's future
prospects are "forward-looking statements" under the Federal securities laws
that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that future
results will be achieved, and actual results could differ materially from the
forecast and estimates. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially include, but are not limited to, Omnipoint's limited
operating history, including a history of losses and the uncertainty of future
operating results, dependence upon cash flow from its subsidiaries, high
leverage, debt service requirements and restrictive covenants related to its
outstanding Senior Notes, the emerging market for PCS service, the continued
buildout of Omnipoint PCS markets, significant capital requirements, and its
dependence upon key employees. Omnipoint's future results may be impacted by
other risk factors listed in its Registration Statement filed on Form S-3 on
June 30, 1998, and other factors listed from time to time in its SEC reports,
including, but not limited to, the report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1998.
For More Information Visit Aimtronics at www.aimtronics.com Visit
Omnipoint at www.omnipoint-tech.com
About AimGlobal Technologies Company Inc. Founded 14 years ago, and
through three operating subsidiaries, AIMGlobal Technologies serves the
Medical, Aerospace, Communications, Industrial, Military, Power Utility,
Emergency Services, Consumer markets and Internet business applications
markets. With operations in Texas, New York State, Ontario and British
Columbia, AIMGlobal Technologies is a recognized technical innovator and a
leading manufacturer of proprietary microelectronic solutions and hazardous
air and gas monitoring products for life, health and safety applications.
Safe Harbor Statement Certain information in this press release contains
"forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, including those concerning the Company's future results and strategy.
Actual results could differ from those in the forward looking statements due
to a number of uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the demand for
the Company's products and services; the size, timing and recognition of
revenue from significant orders; increased competition, changes in Company
strategy; product life cycles; the impact of rapid technological advances,
evolving industry standards, changes in customer requirements, and
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
The Company's expense levels are based, in part, on its expectations as
to future revenue and a significant portion of the Company's expenses do not
vary with revenue. As a result, if revenue is below expectations, results of
operations are likely to be materially adversely effected.
For further information: Company Contact: AimGlobal Technologies
Company, Inc., Megan Simms-Beatty, (604) 205-7609; Omnipoint Technologies,
Inc., Lee Lanucha, (719) 884-2346 |
