THE WORLD

Comsearch announced it was awarded a contract from MRCB Telecommunications Sdn Bnd to license Comsearch microwave design engineering software. The software, called Interconnect, is being used to support the design, licensing and implementation of the MRCB microwave network for its personal communications network service to be deployed throughout Malaysia, Comsearch said.

The Venezuela branch of Datumtech has awarded E.F. Johnson Co. a contract to provide an 800 MHz Multi-Net II trunked radio system for use in an integrated public safety system. Datumtech, a systems integration company, will integrate the trunking system with an automatic vehicle location/global positioning system, E.F. Johnson said. Police in the city of Maracay, Venezuela, initially will use the system. Datumtech plans to expand the system for public safety use throughout Gobernacion Del Estado Aragua. E.F. Johnson will provide one radio network terminal, a repeater site, two consoles, control stations, mobile units and handheld radios.

Clearnet Communications Inc. announced it has entered into an underwriting agreement to raise gross proceeds of about $180 million from the sale of units consisting of senior discount notes due Dec. 15, 2005, with warrants to purchase Class A nonvoting shares representing nearly 3.7 percent of the outstanding shares fully diluted. Clearnet said as a result of significant investor demand, the offering was increased by $30 million from Clearnet’s original announcements. The closing was Dec. 11.

L.M. Ericsson said it has been awarded a contract from Digital Tu-Ka Hokuriku, a newly formed operator in Japan, for a personal digital cellular network in Hokuriku, a region of northwestern Japan. Nissan Motors and Japan Telecom jointly own the majority of the new operating company, which is a member of the Digital Tu-Ka Group. The Ericsson order, valued at about $30 million, includes deliveries of a mobile switching center and radio base stations, as well as operations support system. Ericsson said the system will be operating in 1997.

Luxembourg’s Ministry of Communications said at least six companies from the United States and Europe have declared an interest in running a second Global System for Mobile communications telephone network. Application forms will be sent out by Dec. 8, and must be returned by Jan. 8, the ministry said.

FTML, owned by France Telecom and Investcom Holdings s.a.l., announced it has selected Tellabs International Inc. for a nationwide network infrastructure expansion program. Tellabs will supply its Martis DXX managed access and network transport solution for use in France Telecom’s new Global System for Mobile communications-based digital cellular network. In 1994, France Telecom and Investcom Holdings formed FTML to build and operate a nationwide digital cellular network in Lebanon. Commercial service was first deployed in March 1994. The network now is being expanded to provide countrywide coverage, Tellabs said. FTML said the Tellabs system was chosen because it will reduce operating costs while increasing transmission quality.

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