MONTREAL-Microcell Labs-a wholly owned subsidiary of Microcell Telecommunications Inc.-and Northern Telecom Ltd. announced they plan to create a joint venture to offer wireless data applications globally.
The venture will provide operators with the necessary bureau services, software and hardware to offer customers wireless Internet access, messaging, electronic commerce and information and entertainment services, the companies said.
The new service will be based on Nortel’s Distributed Networked Services Platform, a middleware that can translate data so it can be read by terminals using various technologies.
“Basically, it is a translation solution for technologies,” said Andre Tremblay, president and chief executive officer of Microcell. “It will take full advantage of the capabilities offered by new, large-screen `smartphones’ as well as today’s wireless phones.”
DNSP supports multiple gateways, protocols, databases and end-user terminals, the companies said. As such, they believe the technology will give the next generation of smartphones greater access to various information sources.
“This technology will give wireless operators, among others, unprecedented flexibility in providing truly customized services to their customers,” said Ian Sugarbroad, Nortel vice president of business development, GSM Wireless Networks.
