Sophia Communications Inc., Miami, plans to use its new 220 MHz specialized mobile radio licenses “to offer its customers unprecedented coverage and building penetration with significantly less network capital than competing wireless technologies,” said Jim Dombrouski, vice president of technology operations.
Sophia is a development-stage company formed to provide solutions where the Internet and wireless information technology converge.
The company announced Nov. 16 it has appointed as president Harry L. Latham III, formerly senior vice president of Conxus Communications Inc., a narrowband personal communications services carrier best known for its Pocketalk voice messaging product. Latham also has served as vice president of marketing for SkyTel Corp.
In his new position, Latham will be responsible for refining and expanding the company’s business plan and strengthening its position within the capital markets and with strategic business partners.
Sophia paid $2.5 million to win the bid for one of three nationwide 200 MHz SMR licenses the Federal Communications Commission awarded in its recent auction. Sophia also acquired 220 MHz licenses for the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions and for the metropolitan areas of New York, San Francisco, Chattanooga, Tenn., Minneapolis and Rochester, Minn.
“The Sophia technology, in combination with the 220 MHz licenses, will allow [us] to deliver low-cost, reliable wireless data services for fixed and mobile applications,” said Laurent Valosek, founder and executive vice president.
