Reflection Technology Inc. has completed a $10 million round of private funding from a series of new and existing investors. “This round of financing will allow us to accelerate our growth in the wireless communication and interactive entertainment markets and continue to develop our display technology for new applications,” said Allen Becker, Reflection’s president and chief executive officer. The company has a patented Scanned Linear Array display technology and manufactures the wireless, palm-sized FaxView fax machine.
Cellular One of Chicago, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, announced it started offering Global Link Communications Inc.’s AccessCard prepaid cellular service. The company said it is targeting students, families on a tight budget and individuals with no or poor credit history. A recorded message is heard before a customer accepts incoming calls and when a customer’s balance gets low, the system notifies the customer. Initial service costs $35 for activation and $50 for 100 minutes of service. All subsequent account deposits must be at least $25, said Cellular One. All incoming and outgoing calls cost 50 cents per minute.
Electronic Check Services announced AirTouch Paging has implemented its direct debit program, which allows paging customers to have their monthly paging bill automatically paid using funds directly from their bank account or credit card. Electronic Check said the program saves the customer the time and cost involved in writing and mailing payments.
Electronic Communications Corp. has acquired a 51 percent stake in Threshold Communications Inc. for $725,000 in cash and $389,000 worth of common stock. TCI is a radio paging firm with a 9,000-unit subscriber base. The company also offers national paging service through a sales and distribution agreement with SkyTel Corp. Electronic Communications said it intends to combine its developing paging business with TCI’s operations. “The acquisition of TCI allows the company to jump start its own paging operations without the headaches of starting an operation from ground zero,” said Les Winder, Electronic Communications executive vice president.
Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems announced that its Visa card holders can charge their monthly cellular bill to their credit card and accrue a 5 percent cash reward in return beginning next month. Card Holders are eligible for the 5 percent reward by making at least one purchase per month other than their local phone service charges or by carrying a balance. Southwestern Bell also said the card holders will earn up to 2 percent interest on non-telephone and wireless purchases beginning July 1.
