Japan
Vodafone AirTouch plc, together with its partners Japan Telecom and British Telecom, has agreed to restructure its interests in Japan ahead of the start of the third-generation license application process this month. According to Vodafone AirTouch, the main purpose of the restructuring is to integrate the existing second-generation operating companies, collectively known as the J-Phone Group, with the IMT-2000 Planning Co. Ltd., the vehicle which was set up to pursue 3G business opportunities in Japan. Vodafone AirTouch has a 26-percent interest in the IMT-2000 Planning Co.
Canada
Glenayre Technologies Inc. said Bell Mobility of Canada has selected it to build a $5 million ReFLEX 25 two-way paging network. Bell Mobility said it also has agreed to offer roaming coverage in the United States from that network through a deal with WebLink Wireless Inc.
China
Hangzhou Topper Electric Corp., an interWave Communications International Ltd. partner in China, was awarded a contract to build a Global System for Mobile communications network in China. According to interWave, China Mobile Telecom will use the interWave network to increase capacity for communities located in high-usage areas as well as improve operating efficiencies, performance and reliability. Initial installations are scheduled for completion by the end of the third quarter.
Australia
Globalstar L.P. said its service provider and partner in Australia has launched commercial service. The service will be available through Vodafone Globalstar’s gateway in Dubbo, which covers the eastern portion of the country. It expects to add two additional gateways in the next two weeks to cover the whole of the continent, including Tasmania and off-shore areas.
