Centigram Communications Corp. announced it will sell its MobileManager enhanced services platform to Paging Network Inc. for limited testing this year with possible commercial deployment later. Centigram developed MobileManager in partnership with Priority Call Management. It is designed to support enhanced features such as personal number, debit card, prepaid cellular, credit/calling card and callback services.
With the addition of Litchfield County, Conn., Bell Atlantic Nynex Mobile said it has completed the expansion of its Connecticut home coverage area, which now covers all of that state plus western Massachusetts. The company said some customers will save up to 80 percent on calls made while roaming in Litchfield County. Subscribers had previously paid as much as 99 cents per minute.
California Microwave Inc. said it expects to report a loss for the first quarter of its fiscal year 1997 ending Sept. 30. The company attributes the shortfall to lower levels of bookings and sales than planned, delays in satellite communications orders and product pricing pressures. California Microwave said orders in the satellite communications area are weak, but orders for wireless communications products are improving. Final results for the quarter will be announced Oct. 16.
Metrocall Inc. entered into a new $350 million senior secured credit facility. The company said the new facility, underwritten by The Toronto-Dominion Bank and The First National Bank of Boston, will be used to finance the company’s acquisitions, fund capital and operating expenditures and for general corporate purposes.
Tellabs announced it will supply its 2551CVX T1 echo canceller for digital cellular systems to Atlanta-based BellSouth Cellular Corp. The echo canceller, developed for use by Time Division Multiple Access, Code Division Multiple Access and PCS 1900 cellular service providers, ensures echo-free service on both mobile-to-mobile and mobile-to-land telephone calls, the company said.
InterDigital Communications Corp. merged two of its subsidiaries. Wholly owned IP Acquisition Corp. merged with majority owned InterDigital Patents Corp. on Sept. 12. InterDigital Patents will become a wholly owned subsidiary of InterDigital Communications. The minority shareholder interest of approximately six percent will be eliminated.
U.S. Communications Inc. and Brightpoint Inc. entered into a sales relationship with Meijer Inc., a Grand Rapids, Mich., retailer. Brightpoint agreed to supply cellular phones for sale in the Meijer stores and U.S. Communications will activate them using its Remote Activation Process System.
