NEWS BRIEFS

Adaptive Broadband Corp. was awarded a $56 million, five-year contract to provide its AB-Access fixed wireless broadband equipment to Cybertech Wireless Inc., a privately held, business-to-business Internet Service Provider.

Aether Systems Inc. has acquired IFX Group plc, a European provider of mobile financial data, for $85 million. Aether said the acquired company will play a significant role in its previously announced European wireless data venture with Reuters, called Sila Communications, of which Aether owns 60 percent.

For the first time, there are more wireless phone customers in Japan than wireline customers, according to a report by the Associated Press. The information, provided by the Japanese Posts and Telecommunications Ministry, showed that wireless phone subscribers rose to 56.9 million at the end of March, compared with 55.5 million wireline subscribers. The report noted that more than 40 percent of Japanese citizens now are using portable phones and predicts further growth with the addition of Internet-enabled wireless devices in the future.

Nokia Corp. reported that at its annual general meeting, the company resolved to split its shares on a four-for-one basis effective in public trading on April 10.

Telespatial Inc., a wireless Internet technology company, signed a link agreement with Motorola Inc. offering real-time, location-based services between brick-and-mortar retailers and Motorola mobile phone users. Telespatial also announced it joined Motorola’s wireless Internet alliance program.

Metrocall Inc. and Emergin Inc. have agreed to combine Metrocall’s nationwide wireless messaging service with Emergin’s WirelessOffice suite of software. The combination will allow users to access customer relationship management, employee resources and other network management tools from their wireless devices.

Securicor Wireless Inc. entered an agreement to purchase a 5-channel 220 MHz nationwide license from ComTech Nationwide Communications for an undisclosed amount. Securicor noted the acquisition will enable it to increase its spectrum capacity at any location in the United States.

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