AzQtel Selects Prodea to Deliver the First Connected Home Services to Azerbaijan
Leveraging Their WiMAX Network, AzQtel Will Deliver a Suite of New and Exciting Applications and Services to the TV, PC, Mobile and More
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23, 2010 - AzQtel, Azerbaijan's leading WiMAX based service provider today announced a partnership with Prodea Systems to enhance their broadband service offering with an app-store of new content experiences and connected life services.
AzQtel's broadband service, known as "Sazz", brings to the people of Azerbaijan an unprecedented Internet experience using their state of the art WiMAX technologies. The service is readily available to over 4 million people in Baku and the surrounding areas, with additional coverage to be announced shortly.
Prodea Systems' breakthrough solution provides a simple interactive experience, requiring no personal computer or technology expertise. This revolutionary approach to the connected home provides consumers of all ages and technical abilities a simple, user-friendly solution to enjoy a host of multimedia experiences and services, ranging from premium video-on-demand, personal media and Internet applications, to video conferencing, home security, smart home, eHealth and eLearning services.
AzQtel intends to continue to complement its broadband Internet with an ever increasing bundle of new applications and value-add service utilizing Prodea's platform and to deliver these experiences in a cost effective manner across a variety of devices, including TV, PC, mobile and tablets.
"Prodea Systems' a market-leading connected life solution is an innovative new way for consumers to experience broadband powered services," commented Jayhun Mollazade, CEO of AzQtel. "Our goal is to equip our subscribers with not just another Internet browsing experience, but to provide them with a completely new way to experience the power of the Internet and a connected lifestyle, powered by WiMAX and cutting edge solutions like that which Prodea has created."
"As a provider of broadband powered solution, we are excited to partner with AzQtel and demonstrate the combined power of the Sazz WiMAX service and our unique approach to the digital home" said Anousheh Ansari, CEO of Prodea Systems. "The coupling of these two cutting-edge technologies will usher in a new era of services for the people of Azerbaijan."
About Azqtel LLC
AZQTEL is a telecommunications company based in Baku, Azerbaijan founded in December 2005 to provide High Speed Broadband Internet and other Value Added Services throughout the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Company is organized as a joint venture company between foreign investors and Transkaspian Telecom LLC of Baku, Azerbaijan.
About Prodea Systems
Prodea Systems, based in Plano Texas, is a privately held company formed by the Ansari family, inventors and proven entrepreneurs with a history of building companies based on industry-changing technologies. Prodea Systems is their latest endeavor to address the challenges of today's increasingly complex digital home and connected small business environment and combine state of the art technology and simplicity in a single command center for the everyday consumer.
Source: Prodea Systems
Sierra Wireless wins GSMA award for best wireless module
"The race this year was very close with most of the vendors having a rich set of development and application functionality. The AirPrime SL6087 2G module by Sierra Wireless demonstrates a strong overall package with rich functionality and very attractive pricing suitable for multi-application verticals," said the judging panel. "Our congratulations to Sierra Wireless and all those who took part."
"We are proud to have won this prestigious industry award for our AirPrime SL6087, which has been very well received by the market since we introduced it in March 2010," said Didier Dutronc, Senior Vice President and General Manager, M2M Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless. "The award is a testament to our continuous commitment to innovation, which started with the launch of the world's first wireless module in 1997. Today, our portfolio of wireless embedded modules is the broadest in the industry by a long shot, and we continue to invest significant R&D effort in developing new, innovative 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity solutions for the machine-to-machine communications market."
The winners of the GSMA's Embedded Mobile Module Competition 2010 were announced earlier today at the Mobile Asia Congress in Hong Kong. Representatives from mobile operators including Vodafone, Orange, AT&T, Telecom Italia, KT and Smart Communications, who formed the judging panel, were looking for solutions with the best application functionality, innovation and the potential to drive economies of scale.
About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless offers industry-leading mobile computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and solutions that connect people, devices, and applications over cellular networks. Wireless service providers, equipment manufacturers, enterprises and government organizations around the world depend on us for reliable wireless technology. We offer 2G, 3G and 4G wireless modems, routers and gateways as well as a comprehensive suite of software, tools, and services that ensure our customers can successfully bring wireless applications to market.
Source: Sierra Wireless, Inc.
GSMA Launches Embedded SIM Initiative to Support the Connected Future
"The traditional SIM has been an important innovation in mobile telephony, and has provided many benefits to consumers in terms of security, portability of contacts, and ease of portability of devices across networks," said Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board of the GSMA. "As our industry moves from connecting phones to connecting a wide range of devices, it is apparent that the embedded SIM could deliver even greater flexibility. The embedded SIM will provide assured levels of security and portability for consumers, as well as provide additional functionality for enabling new services such as e-Wallet and NFC applications."
The GSMA-led task force comprises a group of leading technical experts drawn from operators including AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom Orange, KT, NTT DOCOMO, SK Telecom, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. The group will work in cooperation with major SIM producers.
The task force will analyse market requirements and deliver a technical solution as an evolution of the current SIM provisioning mechanisms. The proposed embedded SIM solution will include programmable SIM card capabilities to enable remote activation.
The group is expected to complete the analysis of market requirements by January 2011. The resulting technical solution will be built on the principles of openness and standardisation. Devices featuring the new SIM activation capability are expected to appear in 2012. Traditional SIM-supported devices will continue to work on existing networks.
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry.
Source: GSMA
Sierra Wireless wins GSMA award for best wireless module
"The race this year was very close with most of the vendors having a rich set of development and application functionality. The AirPrime SL6087 2G module by Sierra Wireless demonstrates a strong overall package with rich functionality and very attractive pricing suitable for multi-application verticals," said the judging panel. "Our congratulations to Sierra Wireless and all those who took part."
"We are proud to have won this prestigious industry award for our AirPrime SL6087, which has been very well received by the market since we introduced it in March 2010," said Didier Dutronc, Senior Vice President and General Manager, M2M Embedded Solutions for Sierra Wireless. "The award is a testament to our continuous commitment to innovation, which started with the launch of the world's first wireless module in 1997. Today, our portfolio of wireless embedded modules is the broadest in the industry by a long shot, and we continue to invest significant R&D effort in developing new, innovative 2G, 3G and 4G connectivity solutions for the machine-to-machine communications market."
The winners of the GSMA's Embedded Mobile Module Competition 2010 were announced earlier today at the Mobile Asia Congress in Hong Kong. Representatives from mobile operators including Vodafone, Orange, AT&T, Telecom Italia, KT and Smart Communications, who formed the judging panel, were looking for solutions with the best application functionality, innovation and the potential to drive economies of scale.
About Sierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless offers industry-leading mobile computing and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications products and solutions that connect people, devices, and applications over cellular networks. Wireless service providers, equipment manufacturers, enterprises and government organizations around the world depend on us for reliable wireless technology. We offer 2G, 3G and 4G wireless modems, routers and gateways as well as a comprehensive suite of software, tools, and services that ensure our customers can successfully bring wireless applications to market.
Source: Sierra Wireless, Inc.
GSMA Launches Embedded SIM Initiative to Support the Connected Future
"The traditional SIM has been an important innovation in mobile telephony, and has provided many benefits to consumers in terms of security, portability of contacts, and ease of portability of devices across networks," said Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board of the GSMA. "As our industry moves from connecting phones to connecting a wide range of devices, it is apparent that the embedded SIM could deliver even greater flexibility. The embedded SIM will provide assured levels of security and portability for consumers, as well as provide additional functionality for enabling new services such as e-Wallet and NFC applications."
The GSMA-led task force comprises a group of leading technical experts drawn from operators including AT&T, China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom Orange, KT, NTT DOCOMO, SK Telecom, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. The group will work in cooperation with major SIM producers.
The task force will analyse market requirements and deliver a technical solution as an evolution of the current SIM provisioning mechanisms. The proposed embedded SIM solution will include programmable SIM card capabilities to enable remote activation.
The group is expected to complete the analysis of market requirements by January 2011. The resulting technical solution will be built on the principles of openness and standardisation. Devices featuring the new SIM activation capability are expected to appear in 2012. Traditional SIM-supported devices will continue to work on existing networks.
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry.
Source: GSMA
GSMA Announces Winners of Asia Mobile Awards 2010
The Asia Mobile Awards were created by the GSMA to showcase the diversity of mobile content, products and services across the region. This year's awards focused heavily on developments in the mobile application market, and the GSMA worked with mobile analytics firm Distimo to compile app store data for leading platforms such as Apple iOS, Android, Nokia, BlackBerry and Microsoft Windows Mobile across 27 countries in Asia to select the winners for the five app-related categories. The Best Device award was selected from nominations of the top-selling handset manufacturers across Asia Pacific and, along with the Best App award, was judged by a panel of key industry analysts and journalists.
"The importance of and growth in the mobile applications market has been on display throughout the Mobile Asia Congress, from our developer-focused App Planet event, to our thought leadership conference programme, to the Mobile Asia Awards," said Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer at the GSMA. "These awards illustrate the diversity of choice for mobile users across Asia, in areas such as entertainment, games, business and lifestyle, and reflect the uptake of innovative new smartphones and the ever-increasing richness of mobile services and content. Congratulations to all the winners."
The Asia Mobile Awards 2010 winners are:
Top Entertainment App: IMDB Movie Database - IMDB
Top Games App: Angry Birds - Rovio/Clickgamer
Top Lifestyle Apps: Around Me - Tweakersoft
Top Business App: Documents to Go – Premium Office Suite - DataViz Inc
Top Overall App: Angry Birds - Rovio/Clickgamer
Judges' Choice – Best App: Google Maps – Google
Best Mobile Handsets/Device: iPhone 4 - Apple
Also announced were the winners of the GSMA's 2010 Embedded Mobile Module Competition. The Embedded Mobile Competition was launched at last year's Mobile Asia Congress to encourage the innovation of embedded mobile devices and services in key vertical sectors such as health, utilities, automotive and consumer electronics, helping to increase volumes of connected devices on a global scale. The Embedded Mobile Module competition is focused on identifying best-in-class embedded modules for both 3G and 2G applications that are commercially available or will be in the near future.
Five of the world's leading M2M embedded module suppliers participated in the Embedded Mobile Module competition, with 18 modules entered across the two categories. Representatives from mobile operators, such as Vodafone, Orange AT&T, Telecom Italia, KT and Smart Communications, who formed the steering committee, were looking for solutions with the best application functionality, innovation and the potential to drive economies of scale.
The winners of the 2010 Embedded Mobile Module competition are:
3G category: Qualcomm for IEM6270 - 3G module
2G category: Sierra Wireless for AirPrime SL6087 - 2G module
"The race this year was very close with most of the vendors having a rich set of development and application functionality. We are recognising Qualcomm's IEM6270 in the 3G category for its strong mix of programmability and add-on features like GPS in a very light and small module. The AirPrime SL6087 2G module by Sierra Wireless demonstrates a strong overall package with rich functionality and very attractive pricing suitable for multi-application verticals," said the judging panel. "It is also important to highlight that the introduction and use of the single chip modules adopted by many of the companies competing has helped to push down the cost and size of embedded mobile modules. We are delighted to see a trend of decreasing costs, increasing functionality and the proliferation of new and innovative connected devices. Our congratulations to the winners and to all those who took part."
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry.
Source: GSMA
GSMA Announces Winners of Asia Mobile Awards 2010
The Asia Mobile Awards were created by the GSMA to showcase the diversity of mobile content, products and services across the region. This year's awards focused heavily on developments in the mobile application market, and the GSMA worked with mobile analytics firm Distimo to compile app store data for leading platforms such as Apple iOS, Android, Nokia, BlackBerry and Microsoft Windows Mobile across 27 countries in Asia to select the winners for the five app-related categories. The Best Device award was selected from nominations of the top-selling handset manufacturers across Asia Pacific and, along with the Best App award, was judged by a panel of key industry analysts and journalists.
"The importance of and growth in the mobile applications market has been on display throughout the Mobile Asia Congress, from our developer-focused App Planet event, to our thought leadership conference programme, to the Mobile Asia Awards," said Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer at the GSMA. "These awards illustrate the diversity of choice for mobile users across Asia, in areas such as entertainment, games, business and lifestyle, and reflect the uptake of innovative new smartphones and the ever-increasing richness of mobile services and content. Congratulations to all the winners."
The Asia Mobile Awards 2010 winners are:
Top Entertainment App: IMDB Movie Database - IMDB
Top Games App: Angry Birds - Rovio/Clickgamer
Top Lifestyle Apps: Around Me - Tweakersoft
Top Business App: Documents to Go – Premium Office Suite - DataViz Inc
Top Overall App: Angry Birds - Rovio/Clickgamer
Judges' Choice – Best App: Google Maps – Google
Best Mobile Handsets/Device: iPhone 4 - Apple
Also announced were the winners of the GSMA's 2010 Embedded Mobile Module Competition. The Embedded Mobile Competition was launched at last year's Mobile Asia Congress to encourage the innovation of embedded mobile devices and services in key vertical sectors such as health, utilities, automotive and consumer electronics, helping to increase volumes of connected devices on a global scale. The Embedded Mobile Module competition is focused on identifying best-in-class embedded modules for both 3G and 2G applications that are commercially available or will be in the near future.
Five of the world's leading M2M embedded module suppliers participated in the Embedded Mobile Module competition, with 18 modules entered across the two categories. Representatives from mobile operators, such as Vodafone, Orange AT&T, Telecom Italia, KT and Smart Communications, who formed the steering committee, were looking for solutions with the best application functionality, innovation and the potential to drive economies of scale.
The winners of the 2010 Embedded Mobile Module competition are:
3G category: Qualcomm for IEM6270 - 3G module
2G category: Sierra Wireless for AirPrime SL6087 - 2G module
"The race this year was very close with most of the vendors having a rich set of development and application functionality. We are recognising Qualcomm's IEM6270 in the 3G category for its strong mix of programmability and add-on features like GPS in a very light and small module. The AirPrime SL6087 2G module by Sierra Wireless demonstrates a strong overall package with rich functionality and very attractive pricing suitable for multi-application verticals," said the judging panel. "It is also important to highlight that the introduction and use of the single chip modules adopted by many of the companies competing has helped to push down the cost and size of embedded mobile modules. We are delighted to see a trend of decreasing costs, increasing functionality and the proliferation of new and innovative connected devices. Our congratulations to the winners and to all those who took part."
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of the worldwide mobile communications industry. Spanning 219 countries, the GSMA unites nearly 800 of the world's mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media and entertainment organisations. The GSMA is focused on innovating, incubating and creating new opportunities for its membership, all with the end goal of driving the growth of the mobile communications industry.
Source: GSMA
Novatel Wireless to Acquire Enfora
Enfora sells to a diverse base of customers, which includes enterprises, applications service providers, OEMs and distributors. Enfora's product portfolio consists of smart M2M solutions embedded platforms, integrated platforms, and embedded software based on a distributed intelligent and customizable architecture that provides a valuable link between an enterprise and its remote assets. According to ABI Research, the market for cellular M2M connection revenue is expected to grow at an annual compound rate of more than 22 percent through 2014.
"This acquisition creates a market leader in wireless data selling into all end markets: enterprise, consumer and vertical markets,"said Peter Leparulo, Chairman and CEO of Novatel Wireless. "This acquisition expands our addressable market, broadens our range of complementary products, diversifies our customer base and enhances operating leverage. It will also strengthen our competitive position by leveraging our combined research and development talent and customer relationships. Enfora, more than any other company providing M2M data communications, is focused on adding value with customized software and services and fits with our business strategy of combining hardware and software into integrated solutions."
Key benefits of the acquisition include:
- Diversifying Novatel Wireless' customer base and product lines into adjacent markets.
- Advancing the company's strategy of providing intelligent devices to all end markets enterprise, consumer, and vertical applications. Enfora has developed differentiated solutions for key market segments, including transportation, industrial automation, security, and healthcare.
- Creating a strong growth profile by bringing together long-term customer relationships with wireless carriers, cable operators, distributors, retailers, MVNOs, leading OEMs in both mobile computing and vertical markets, enterprises, and application service providers.
Leveraging the research and development, product portfolios, and geographic reach of the combined company.
"I am very pleased to welcome Mark Weinzierl, founder and CEO of Enfora, to our senior management team," added Mr. Leparulo. "His leadership and expertise will be a great asset to Novatel Wireless moving forward."
"We are bringing together two clear leaders in data communications," said Mark Weinzierl. "Our customers will benefit greatly from Novatel Wireless' leading-edge technology, strong relationships with mobile operators, and financial strength. Our combined company will be well positioned to address the growing demand for wireless data solutions and associated software."
Enfora will operate as a Novatel Wireless business unit, and the combined company will leverage synergies in product development, sales channels and complementary resources.
Additional Terms of the Transaction
Novatel Wireless and Enfora have signed an Agreement and Plan of Merger pursuant to which Enfora will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novatel Wireless. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of November. A controlling majority of Enfora stockholders has irrevocably consented to the acquisition.
The purchase price includes the pay down of all debt. The acquisition will be funded from cash on hand. As of September 30, 2010, Novatel Wireless had approximately $183 million of cash and marketable securities on its balance sheet, with no debt.
Cowen and Company is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Novatel Wireless in connection with this transaction. Jefferies & Co. is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Enfora.
About Novatel Wireless
Novatel Wireless is a leader in the design and development of innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G and 4G wireless technologies. Novatel Wireless' Intelligent Mobile Hotspot products, software, USB modems and embedded modules enable high-speed wireless Internet access on leading wireless data networks. The Company delivers specialized wireless solutions to carriers, distributors, OEMs and vertical markets worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NASDAQ: NVTL.
About Enfora
Enfora is a leading provider of intelligent wireless asset management solutions, enabling enterprises to access, analyze and leverage information from their geographically dispersed assets using location-based monitoring and control and asset management applications. Enfora's solutions, consisting of embedded wireless software, network edge wireless platforms, and enterprise software, are based on its distributed intelligent architecture that provides a link between an enterprise and its remote assets. Enfora primarily serves the transportation, security, energy and medical market segments.
CoreMatrix Creates Electronic Health Records for Concordant in the Cloud
RED BANK, N.J., 2 Nov. 2010 - CoreMatrix Systems™, one of the country's leading cloud computing consulting and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) deployment companies, today announced the completion of a custom application development initiative for Concordant, Inc., a provider of healthcare IT services.
The application, called EHRopt™, is a HIPAA-secure portal that provides a streamlined approach to delivering electronic health record (EHR) implementation, training and support services. EHRopt offers a self-service environment where healthcare professionals can access and track implementation tasks, clinical content, and support links. It also enables organizations to share experiences, knowledge, and best practices that leverage Concordant's methodology and intellectual property. To ease implementation, social networking and online collaboration is available.
"EHRopt represents a significant milestone for CoreMatrix in developing custom healthcare industry applications using the Salesforce.com platform, Force.com," commented Paul Nix, Co-founder of CoreMatrix. "It's a great feeling to know we've reached this milestone with Concordant who is focused on streamlining the EHR implementations and support in a more practical manner."
About Concordant
Concordant is an eHealth Services firm that engages with ambulatory healthcare organizations to plan, implement, and manage their health information technology (HIT) infrastructure. Their unique ambulatory methodology combines an ideal balance of tools, talents, techniques, and cost management, within a scalable enterprise approach, not duplicable by larger national service firms.
About CoreMatrix Systems
CoreMatrix is a leading provider of cloud computing consulting, systems integration, custom application development and support services for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies. With experience gained from more than 1,000 cloud computing engagements, CoreMatrix is dedicated to helping customers achieve their objectives and obtain the greatest value from their investments.
Source: CoreMatrix Systems
