After rescuing one of its core patents from bankruptcy court, Telular Corp. is charging back into the wireless data market with a new strategic alliance.
The Buffalo Grove, Ill.-based company’s AXCELL wireless data interface provides for portable fax and data transmission over the cellular network.
“We let every telephone device work with a cellular phone,” said Business Manager Steve Sendele. AXCELL “allows the modem to communicate transparently. It recognizes dial tone, so the modem thinks it’s talking to Ma Bell,” he said.
Telular just reached an agreement with 3COM Corp. where 3COM will adopt AXCELL as the standard wireless interface for all of its PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card modems.
Special sales and technical support have also been established through Dynatek Communications for all of 3COM’s dealers and customers, Sendele said.
Users will be supplied with a complimentary upgrade to the Microcomm MNP10 error correction protocol with each interface purchased. “MNP10 is critical for transmitting in the hostile environment of wireless,” Sendele said.
Telular’s previous relationship with Spectrum Information Technologies didn’t work out so well.
Prior to 1992, Telular had been marketing its own CelJack data interface product line, but with limited resources it decided to concentrate on its landline business and sold the wireless mobile license to Spectrum.
Spectrum filed for bankruptcy in 1995, and Telular had to buy back its license.
“We went back and rescued that patent from bankruptcy court in July,” Sendele said. “This is one of our core patents.”
The company also has closed down two patent infringers, he noted.
In addition to marketing its own brand of data interface, Telular said it also manufactures on a private label basis for Audiovox Cellular Communications, Oki telecom, NEC America Inc. and Gemini Industries Inc.
The company makes data interface products for networks in Canada, the United States and Latin America, but not for Europe.
The Global System for Mobile communications standard “is a different technology for us but this continent is keeping us busy enough,” Sendele said.
