Geoworks Corp. said it provided the engineering expertise behind a new handset from Seiko Epson Corp. of Japan, called the Locatio. The multi-purpose phone combines Personal Handyphone System technology with global position system and digital camera functions and runs on Seiko Epson’s i-Point network, announced at the same time as the phone. Using the GPS functionality, Locatio users can determine where they are on a map, and download the data onto the device’s full color display, said Geoworks. Users also can locate destinations such as restaurants, hotels and tourist spots using the Point of Interest content delivery service. Seiko Epson is in the process of expanding its i-Point infrastructure in Japan and aims to secure 70,000 subscribers by the end of its first year in business.
Marconi Communications said it won a contract from Ekaterinburg GTS to provide a transmission and management system for Russia’s fourth-largest city, Ekaterinburg. The company will deliver a range of synchronous digital hierarchy and associated network management equipment. Once complete, the installation will be supported by Marconi Communications’ Moscow office.
Corsair Communications Inc. will begin a nationwide deployment of its PhonePrint fraud prevention system for Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad of Costa Rica. “We selected PhonePrint because we’ve seen its impressive fraud reduction results in large and small markets around the world,” said Francisco Hernandez Fuentes, ICE’s manager of cellular operations. PhonePrint uses radio-frequency fingerprinting technology to authenticate legitimate customers and disconnect cloned phones. ICE provides wireless service to more than 125,000 subscribers throughout Costa Rica, said Corsair.
Glenayre Technologies Inc. announced it will provide Hunan Paging Co. Ltd. of China with paging infrastructure equipment for the carrier’s $3 million network expansion. Glenayre said it will replace the carrier’s existing switch with the GL3000 Wireless Messaging Switch, as well as provide transmitters and controllers.
