Barney Robison Blog

TORONTO — Redknee (London AIM: RKN), a leading

provider of innovative infrastructure software that monetizes and

personalizes services and content for mobile operators, today announced the

appointment of Rich Evans as vice president for the Americas region.

Mr. Evans brings extensive experience in sales, operations, and

business development to Redknee. His management experience in global tier

one wireless companies, in addition to his expertise in developing new

markets, will be an asset to Redknee’s continued growth and expansion.

Lucas Skoczkowski, chief executive officer at Redknee, said:

“Redknee’s innovative solutions directly apply to both large tier one

and the rapidly growing operators in the Americas region. Since our

inception, our Americas’ business has continued to achieve significant

growth. We are excited to have Rich Evans join the Redknee team as Read more

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Certicom Corp. (TSX-CIC.TO) (“Certicom” or “the Company”) announced today that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has granted a permanent injunction restraining the $1.50 hostile take-over bid made on December 10, 2008 by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Research in Motion Limited (“RIM”) from proceeding.

The injunction was granted by the Court following application by Certicom on the basis that RIM and its subsidiary had breached non-disclosure agreements entered into by Certicom and RIM in 2007 and 2008 by using confidential and proprietary information supplied by Certicom to RIM for its bid. Certicom had provided this information to RIM for its use in the course of discussions respecting a possible friendly acquisition of Certicom by RIM. As part of its ruling, the Court found that RIM and its subsidiary had breached the non-disclosure agreements.

This decision will effectively require RIM to withdraw Read more

FORT WORTH, Texas — Teletouch Communications, Inc. (PINK SHEETS: TLLE – News), a leading U.S. cellular, mobile electronics and related wireless services provider, today announced that the Company has begun a formal process to explore strategic acquisitions and related financial opportunities in the cellular, mobile electronics and complementary Fixed-Mobile-Convergence (“FMC”) technology industries. This process includes, but is not limited to the review of acquisition targets, strategic partnerships and/or business combinations, potential sale of a division or divisions of the Company, and/or a significant financing, refinancing or recapitalization transaction. The Company has engaged the Stanford Group Company, an investment banking and advisory services firm, as its strategic and financial advisor to assist the Company in the evaluation of such opportunities. Stanford Group Company is a member of the Stanford Financial Group, a global network of financial Read more

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Polycom, Inc.

(NASDAQ:PLCM), the world’s leading provider of unified collaborative

communications solutions, today announced the expiration of the tender offer

by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Spyglass Acquisition Corp., for all

outstanding shares of SpectraLink Corp. (NASDAQ:SLNK). The subsequent

merger to finalize the acquisition will close today, Monday, March 26, 2007.

All remaining outstanding SpectraLink shares, other than those held by

stockholders who properly perfect appraisal rights under Delaware law, will

be converted into the right to receive $11.75 in cash. Following the merger

today, SpectraLink will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polycom.

“We are delighted to complete our acquisition of SpectraLink,” said Robert

Hagerty, chairman and CEO of Polycom. “SpectraLink’s technology, products,

partnerships, and people provide Read more

WESTFORD, Mass. — Narad Networks,Inc., the market-leading provider of FTTx solutions for bandwidth enhancement of HFC cable systems, and Strix Systems, technology and market leader in wireless mesh networking, today announced successful interoperability testing of their complementary Carrier Ethernet solutions. The combined solution provides network operators with a new, high capacity, carrier class option for plant extension and wireless mesh (Wi-Fi) backhaul for metro areas.

Testing of Narad’s switched Ethernet-over-coax solution combined with Strix Outdoor Wireless System (OWS-2400) revealed exceptional performance exceeding an aggregate rate of 35Mb per second from end-to-end. This level of performance, previously not possible, gives operators the ability to offer high-speed Metro Ethernet Forum E-Line and E-LAN services over wireless mesh with coaxial cable used as backhaul. This solution also makes it possible to deliver new and enhanced mobile voice and Read more

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — The Open Handset Alliance, a group of technology and mobile players, is pleased to announce the membership of 14 additional companies. By joining the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance, the following companies demonstrate their support for Android as an open mobile platform and their commitment to its commercial success. The new members are: AKM Semiconductor Inc., ARM, ASUSTek Computer Inc., Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin International Inc., Huawei Technologies, Omron Software Co. Ltdingingi, Softbank Mobile Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Teleca AB, Toshiba Corporation and Vodafone.

New members will either deploy compatible Android devices, contribute significant code to the Android Open Source Project, or support the ecosystem through products and services that will accelerate the availability of Android-based devices. With these commitments, the Open Handset Alliance will continue to drive greater and faster innovation Read more

ATLANTA — EarthLink (Nasdaq: ELNK) has selected Accton Technology Corporation (TAIEX: 2345), a global premier provider of networking and communications equipment, to manufacture handsets for the company’s Wi-Fi phone initiative. EarthLink Wi-Fi phones will allow consumers to save money by making high-quality phone calls over the Internet using a wireless handset. EarthLink is beta testing phones on the company’s municipal wireless network in Anaheim, Calif.

“What separates our Wi-Fi phone from others is its ability to work over EarthLink’s municipal Wi-Fi networks,” said Steve Howe, EarthLink’s senior vice president of voice. “This means that EarthLink is now bringing cheap phone calls using the Internet to the world of mobile — a major breakthrough. We expect that many people who use cell phones today in our municipal Wi-Fi markets will want to switch to a Wi-Fi phone to take advantage of the significant cost Read more

BELLEVUE, Wash. — IceBreaker, Inc., a pioneer in mobile social software, announced today that the company secured $7.2 million in financing co-led by Frazier Technology Ventures, a leading Pacific Northwest venture firm with highly relevant entrepreneurial and mobile operating experience, and existing investor Lightspeed Venture Partners, one of Silicon Valley’s leading early stage venture firms. IceBreaker will use the funds to drive consumer marketing, new product development and expansion of its Beijing research and development office.

Crush or Flush(TM) is the premier mobile social networking application from IceBreaker that provides an easy way to flirt, chat and meet real people with similar interests in their area — from their cell phone or PC.

“It’s a pleasure to reinvest in IceBreaker,” said Jake Seid, General Partner of Lightspeed Venture Partners. “Since the last round of funding, the company successfully brought Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Keynote Systems, the

global leader in mobile and Internet test and measurement services, has

announced the build-out of the world’s largest globally distributed mobile

test and measurement network for interactive testing and monitoring of

wireless content, applications and services using both real and emulated

mobile devices on live wireless networks. Keynote’s “shared infrastructure”

will provide mobile content developers, service providers and carriers with

a complete testing and monitoring service – on an “as-needed” basis – to

better ensure the quality of their mobile content, services and

applications.

Keynote’s on-demand, global testing and monitoring service will initially

allow companies to measure and monitor their mobile applications, services

and content quality on both real and emulated devices from 20 cities, Read more

CHICAGO — Aricent, the full-service,

full-spectrum communications software company, today announced the

launch of its first ever voice call continuity (VCC) server solution.

Allowing mobile devices to seamlessly switch between wireless and

wireline networks, the Aricent Service Continuity Server, SCS is an

ideal solution for service providers or for OEMs with IMS-enabled fixed

mobile convergence products.

Designed to automatically handle complex operator and consumer-specified

rules for roaming and mid-call handovers, the Aricent Service Continuity

Server allows users to enjoy the convenience of a single personal mobile

device that works in the home, the office or on the road across circuit

switched (GSM, 3GPP) and packet switched (IMS, pre-IMS VoIP) networks.

Evolving to support various media streams, SCS will also support

multimedia applications to expand connectivity options, enabling Read more