Aquis Communications Group Inc. signed a definitive agreement to buy the paging assets of Francis Communications Ltd. of El Paso, Texas. This is the company’s third acquisition since buying the paging assets of Bell Atlantic Paging and Paging Partners Corp. The purchase will add about 25,000 paging subscribers to the company’s base, bringing it to about 500,000. Aquis also named PriceWaterhouseCoopers L.L.P. as its auditors for fiscal year 1999.
Audiovox Communications Corp. started shipping its CDM-4000 and CDM-4000XL digital handsets. The dual-mode CDM-4000 offers more than six hours of talk time and two weeks standby time using the 1900mAH lithium ion battery, caller ID, voice mail notification, short messaging services and one-touch emergency calling, among other features, the company said. The CDM-4000 also features the latest in authentication and anti-cloning technology, said Audiovox.
Texas Instruments said it entered into an agreement to purchase ATL Research A/S, giving TI added radio-frequency skills and enhancing its knowledge in next-generation wireless communications applications. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Based in Aalborg, Denmark, ATL is an independent research and development company specializing in RF engineering, primarily for cellular communications. It has approximately 30 employees. TI said ATL will remain in Aalborg and operate as a TI subsidiary.
TeleCorp PCS Inc., an AT&T Wireless Services Inc. affiliate, launched service on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Mass. The service launch on Cape Cod and the islands completes the company’s three-tiered New England Launch, said TeleCorp.
Metrocall Inc. bought a minority interest in Klickback.com Inc., an Internet e-commerce and incentive provider in San Diego, during the company’s first round of financing. As a result, Klickback.com will market Metrocall’s wireless devices and services on its Web site, where members can buy various products and earn points called iRewards for each purchase, which can be redeemed for other products. Metrocall’s investment represents 40 percent of the capital raised by the company so far.
