Archive for February, 2012

by Stacey Lavallie

by Stacey Lavallie

PROVIDENCE BAY—A report emerging from a January Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) analysis shows that residents, business owners and friends of Providence Bay regard the community’s unique beach as its primary asset, but also feel that the beach alone will not attract tourists and new businesses to the community.

The report, available for download on the Central Manitoulin website at www.centralmanitoulin.ca, summarizes the findings of roughly 50 people who participated in the January 18 SWOT exercise, a discussion the night before and a survey following the workshop.

Almost uniformly, the four groups identified the beach as one of the key defining elements of Providence Bay.

The weaknesses group highlighted a lack of complementary businesses and opportunities to monopolize on the attraction of the large sand beach. It also cited invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels and certain types of beach grasses.

The report noted there are no facilities for mountain biking or hiking, no cellular service or Wi-Fi access, poor signage on local roads and highways and many closed businesses that affect the town’s ability to draw and hold tourists, based on the initial draw of the beach.

Further, the report noted businesses close early in the season, and that early ending of Providence Bay’s tourist season often leaves August tourists with little or nothing to occupy and hold them in the community.

The Opportunities group, however, independently addressed some of these issues and recommended new, larger signage that pointed to attractions and businesses. It further went on to recommend improved infrastructure to support smart phones, cell phones and Wi-Fi.

Participants also felt the town of Central Manitoulin could look into investing in seasonal beautification of Providence Bay, as well as a river restoration that would include trails for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.

Business could also boom, if there were entrepreneurs to monopolize on the tourist season by providing recreational rentals, such as kayaks, canoes and skiis, farm tours and small cafes and retail stores.

The biggest strength of the town is the quality of life, the report notes.

It says that because of the town’s beautiful beach, the access to nature, low crime rate, dark night sky and rich history, the town is the perfect place in which to raise a family.

The town has a strong volunteer base and is made up of skilled and educated people of various ethnic backgrounds.

With its infrastructure—the arena, marina, curling club, interpretive centre, boardwalk and fairgrounds—the town is in the perfect position to capitalize on sporting events, festivals and fairs.

Greg Niven, the owner of The School House restaurant in Providence Bay, moved to the town roughly 15 years ago from Toronto with his family.

“We just picked a place to start,” he said, noting he had visited the place while vacationing on Manitoulin. “We found the sort of historic building we wanted there.”

He later opened the Lake Huron Fish and Chip stand, which was later sold to a local family and “remains profitable.”

Mr. Niven took part in the January workshop and said he’s pleased with the report.

“I think it just brings to awareness everything we have in Providence Bay,” he said of the report. However, he noted that unless people act on the report’s findings, nothing will change.

“We need entrepreneurs to come up with ideas and then carry them out,” he said. “The town can hem and haw as much as it wants, but unless there’s someone doing something, nothing will happen.”

He said one of the bigger issues with Providence Bay is its lack of a gas station.

“We’re underutilized,” he noted. “We could really use gas here, at the docks or just in town.”

He agreed with the report’s suggestion that there could be more water-based opportunities for the town, such as fishing-based tourism. There were many good ideas, he said.

“The workshop was good,” he said. “(There were) lots of good ideas and very little negative input. It was very positive, but people need to implement these ideas.”

He cited Little Current’s new waterfront ‘linear park’ as an example of a good idea being implemented.

Darren Dewar arrived late to the workshop due to a work scheduling conflict, but he said what he saw was inspiring.

The 39-year-old lives on the south side of Providence Bay with his family, which includes three children between the ages of seven and 13.

“It’s a great place to raise kids,” he said. “People want to live here because there’s no big business, no crime.”

He recently had a chance to witness a presentation by a group of individuals from Wasaga Beach.

“Their beaches are very similar to our own,” Mr. Dewar noted. “The only thing different was they had a bit more of this invasive grass than we do.”

He agreed with much of the report’s findings, noting that there could be more businesses in Providence Bay to attract and help tourists.

“I sometimes see people arrive in August and everything has shut down for the year,” he admitted. “Things need to stay open longer.”

However, Mr. Dewar said he believed the town was a great place to live and with Mindemoya nearby for all the needs of the family, it was enough for him.

“It’s just a great place to live,” he reiterated.

If there was one thing Mr. Deward said he’d like to see, it was more frequent beach cleanings.

“I think it’s done once a year,” he said. “It needs to happen more.”

Article source: http://www.manitoulin.ca/2012/02/29/providence-bay-a-quiet-town-with-a-beautiful-beach-where-report-lists-opportunities/

Reverse Cell Phone Directory Reveals the Owner of Any US or Canadian Cell Phone

RealPhoneLookup.com acquires Canadian database to supplement their already superior cell phone reverse database, providing accurate reverse phone lookup to substantially more customers.

Miami, FL (PRWEB) February 29, 2012

The Real Phone Lookup service is unique because it offers reverse phone lookups on not only landlines but also on cellular phones, and now even Canadian cell phones.

Information on the cell phone or landline number is available following the entry of the number, including the area code. No further information is needed. The Real Phone Lookup site provides a search form into which the telephone number is entered. The site user then has to only click the “Search” button to launch a search in the comprehensive reverse phone number database. This database contains millions of cellular and land line phone numbers within both the U.S. and Canada. The information is updated on a regular basis so that customers can get the most up to the minute information on their searches, according to the owners at http://www.realphonelookup.com.

The information returned on an initial search will include the phone carrier, the type of line (land line or cellular line), a map showing where the phone line is located, the location where the number was issued, and additional details where available.

In most cases there are other details available regarding the phone number. If users choose to obtain those additional details, those will include the name of the phone owner, the name of the business owning the phone, the physical address of the phone line, and the city state and zip code where the phone is located.

The primary purpose of the Real Phone Lookup service is to provide customers with truly unrestricted access to reverse cell phone lookup searches. In the past, many reverse phone search services were focused only on land lines. However, less than half of all consumers today even maintain a land line any longer. This means that in most cases, prank calls or unknown calls on your telephone bill are most likely originating from a cellular phone number — which historically have been far more difficult to track down. The Reverse Phone Lookup service prides itself on locating those people that would have otherwise remained a mystery. According to the site owners, “We created this site because there was a desperate need for timely and accurate reverse phone searches — especially reverse cell phone searches. We keep our database as accurate as possible, providing you with up to the minute information on who owns the phone number that you need to find out about.”

The Real Phone Lookup service promises its customers total privacy during their searches. Any reverse phone lookup searches are kept completely private and the person for whom a customer searches will never be informed about the search. The millions of telephone numbers in the Real phone Lookup database will provide site visitors with information almost 100 percent of the time, say site owners: “We have put a great deal of effort into making sure that it is as easy as possible to get the information you need. While your cell phone company will never tell you where that questionable number came from, we will help you find out in seconds.”

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Thomas Chelsberg
RealphoneLookup.com
5616721292
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/reverse-cell-phone-directory-reveals-owner-us-canadian-080813408.html

Scott & Scott, LLP Says Microsoft Cell Phone Spamming Class Action Raises Important Legal Issues

A group of individuals, led by Neil Smith, sued Microsoft to determine whether Microsoft violated data privacy rights by sending unsolicited text messages to cellular phones to advertise Xbox gaming systems. Julie Machal-Fulks, partner of intellectual property and technology law firm, Scott Scott, LLP, says “Smith v Microsoft class action illustrates the complex issues involving data privacy and unsolicited text messaging to promote products.”

Southlake, Texas (PRWEB) February 29, 2012

“The case of Smith v. Microsoft illustrates the complex issues involving data privacy and unsolicited text messaging to cell phones to promote products,” says Julie Machal-Fulks, Partner of Scott Scott, LLP, whose law firm handles matters related to data privacy.

A group of individuals, led by Neil Smith, sued Microsoft to determine whether Microsoft violated data privacy rights by sending unsolicited text messages to cellular phones to advertise Xbox gaming systems.

Data privacy rights are a growing concern among consumers, and this class action case raises several important legal issues, including:

(1) The privacy rights granted to consumers

The complaint filed in the Southern District of California on August 25, 2011 (Case #11CV1958-JLS-BGS) alleges consumers are protected from unsolicited calls or texts by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

(2) Does advertising sent via unsolicited text messages qualify as spamming?

The plaintiffs argue the messages were sent en masse, without consent of the consumers, which resulted in harassment and additional charges by the cell phone carrier for data usage. Further, Smith argues on behalf of the class that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act allows a successful plaintiff to obtain treble damages when the defendant knowingly sent messages without consent.

(3) How consumers may protect themselves against unsolicited text messages

“Unsolicited SMS advertising is becoming commonplace, and most consumers are unaware of their privacy rights. In this case, if the class is ultimately successful, the court may award an injunction and statutory damages to compensate the plaintiffs,” said Machal-Fulks.

The outcome of Smith v Microsoft will be watched closely.

About Scott Scott, LLP:

Scott Scott, LLP (http://www.scottandscottllp.com) is a boutique intellectual property and technology law firm with an emphasis on software disputes, technology transactions, brand management, data privacy, and federal litigation. Our lawyers and technology professionals take a principled approach to each engagement, leveraging our experience to provide value. Our clients range from mature small businesses to publicly traded multi-national corporations who work proactively with us to creatively solve business and legal issues. We regularly work as part of a team of in-house and outside attorneys managing large-scale legal projects. We take the time to listen to a client’s objectives and understand its business before developing a custom strategy and project plan designed to give the client visibility into the process and the potential outcomes.

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Anita Scott
Scott and Scott, LLP
214.999.2915
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/scott-scott-llp-says-microsoft-cell-phone-spamming-084443230.html

TTC mulling cell phone service on platforms

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Article source: http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120228/ttc-subway-platforms-cell-phone-service-120228/20120228?hub=TorontoNewHome

Consumer Cellular adds jobs in Phoenix area

Portland, Ore.-based wireless-phone-service provider Consumer Cellular said it is opening a second call center in Phoenix that will add 300 customer-service jobs.

The company, which markets low-cost, low-usage cellphone service to seniors, recently inked a deal with retailer Sears under which Consumer Cellular phones and service will be sold inside Sears stores.

The second call center will be needed to handle anticipated customer growth, said John Marick, co-founder and CEO of Consumer Cellular.

The company already has one call center here, in southeast Phoenix near 48th Street and Baseline Road. It employs 225 full-time workers, according to Marick.

The new facility, scheduled to open in June, will be near the Loop 101-Interstate 17 interchange in the northwest Valley.

All 300 positions at the new call center will be full-time jobs that will involve sales, customer service and technical support.

The minimum pay rate is $13 an hour, Marick said. All jobs include benefits such as health-insurance coverage and a 401(k) plan, he said.

“We want (employees) to stick around and be happy,” he said.

Founded in 1995, Consumer Cellular is a family-owned company and one of the oldest mobile virtual network operators in the U.S.

A mobile virtual network operator provides cellphone service to its customers by leasing mobile-network infrastructure from another carrier.

A virtual operator, sometimes referred to as a mobile-service reseller, sets its own pricing but must pay the infrastructure owner a wholesale rate for the time its customers use the network.

Marick said being a virtual operator allows Consumer Cellular to keep its prices low. Basic cellphone service starts at just $10 a month.

However, Marick said his company’s service probably is not a good fit for the frequent cellphone talker or someone who wants the latest smartphone loaded with premium services.

Consumer Cellular has about 450 employees split between Portland and Phoenix, and its customer base is about 750,000 users, he said.

The company does not require customers to sign any long-term contracts, but Marick said its users tend to remain loyal.

When asked what qualities he looks for in a customer-service rep, he said personality is what matters most.

“We want someone who is friendly, helpful and has a real desire to help people out,” Marick said.

Those interested in applying for a position must register via the company’s Web site, consumercellular.com.

Reach the reporter at craig.anderson@arizonarepublic.com.

Article source: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2012/02/27/20120227consumer-cellular-adds-jobs-phoenix-area.html

Stolen cell phones have police caller in hot water

EDWARDSVILLE – A Cottage Hills man was allegedly found with two stolen cellular phones after he called sheriff’s deputies about a domestic dispute.

Facing a felony charge of theft, second subsequent offense, is Michael L. Eldridge, 18, of the 1300 block of First Street.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded around 5:36 a.m. Sunday to a disturbance in the 1400 block of 12th Street in Cottage Hills, Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Dixon said.  The occupants of the home were reportedly involved in a quarrel with Eldridge, who actually called the sheriff’s office, Dixon said.

Deputies met with the parties involved and determined that Eldridge had stolen two cellular phones from occupants of the residence several hours earlier, the department said.  

The cell phones at the center of the dispute were not used to call authorities.

“He had gone to a neighboring home to call in about the dispute,” Dixon said.
    
Deputies took Eldridge to the Madison County Jail pending a formal review of facts by the Madison County States Attorney’s Office.  A second juvenile defendant involved in the theft was also arrested at the scene and taken to the Madison County Juvenile Detention Center.

Dixon said Eldridge was previously convicted of burglary in Madison County on Aug. 15, 2011, which led to the enhanced felony charge.  
    
The warrant and criminal information was signed by Circuit Judge Charles Romani.  His bond was set at $20,000.

Article source: http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/sheriff-66594-stolen-phones.html

Prodea Systems Names Dr. Francesco De Leo Head of European Operations

Company Strengthens Focus on Europe, Hires De Leo To Lead Growing European Business.

Plano, TX (PRWEB) February 28, 2012

Prodea Systems, the market-leading connected lifestyle solution provider, today named Dr. Francesco De Leo, the former Managing Director of Telecom Italia, and Chief Strategy Officer of WIND Telecomunicazioni, as the head of the Company’s European Operations. In this newly created role, De Leo will develop and manage Prodea‘s operations in the European market.

“Francesco De Leo’s experience and industry expertise is an important asset to Prodea’s growing European presence, said Anousheh Ansari, CEO of Prodea Systems Inc. “Francesco‘s proven track record with European operators and his leadership in the expansion of their businesses make him the ideal candidate for this phase of Prodea’s growth.”

Prior to joining Prodea Systems, in his capacity as Managing Director of Telecom Italia, De Leo launched the joint-venture between Tin.It and Excite, which helped develop the digital TV business of Telecom Italia to become the largest pay TV platform in Italy.

Under his leadership as Chairman of Stet International, Telecom Italia won control of Brazil Telecom, it acquired the third cellular license in Spain, and it completed the largest corporate acquisition in the history of Austria by securing control of 25% of the shares of Telekom Austria. At Wind Telecomunicazioni, De Leo contributed to the re-launch of the third cellular carrier in Italy, growing it from 18 to 22 million subscribers.

Francesco De Leo was also nominated as one of the Global Leaders for tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in 1999.

“I am impressed with the depth and reach of Prodea Systems application platform, which provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape the future of communications, entertainment, and web services and deliver on the promise of the connected lifestyle.” said Francesco De Leo. “Together with the Ansari’s and the entire executive management team of Prodea Systems, I feel part of a “dream team”, with world class execution capabilities. Prodea Systems has the perfect platform to allow for massive scalability, and rapid roll-out of web-based services across the world, which will open up new market opportunities for the telecom and entertainment industries, at a fraction of the cost of existing platforms.”

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.

The Prodea Systems platform provides a turnkey, white label solution for traditional and alternative service providers who require continuous and timely delivery of new and innovative services to their subscribers over the existing broadband infrastructure.

Prodea’s solution uniquely enables carrier-grade services to be delivered directly to a variety of fixed appliances in the home or automobile, as well as mobile lifestyle devices including smart phones, portable media players or laptops. Additional information can be found at http://www.prodeasystems.com.

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Andrew Tauhert
Prodea Systems, Inc.
(214) 278-1850
Email Information

Article source: http://news.yahoo.com/prodea-systems-names-dr-francesco-leo-head-european-095209690.html

Millicom International Cellular: Western Union and Millicom join forces to offer cross-border Mobile Money Transfer …

BARCELONA, Spain–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Western Union (NYSE: WU – News), a leader in global payment services, and
Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Stockholmsbörsen: MIC), a leading
mobile operator in 13 markets across Latin America and Africa operating
under the Tigo brand, announced today at the Mobile World Congress the
signing of an agreement to introduce cross-border mobile money transfers
in Latin America.

The first cross-border money transfer service under this agreement will
be launched soon in Paraguay under the Giros Tigo brand (Tigo Cash).
Millicom will then be able to offer its customers in Paraguay the
ability to receive money across borders using their mobile phones.

The service will be rolled out over time in other markets in Latin
America. This agreement will allow millions of Tigo customers to benefit
from Western Union’s extensive network of more than 450,000 agent
locations across 200 countries and territories, whilst Western Union
will deepen its distribution reach in the markets in which Millicom
operates.

“We’re excited to join forces with Millicom, our first mobile money
partner in Latin America,” said Diane Scott, chief marketing officer and
president, Western Union Ventures. “As a leader in moving money around
the world via a variety of channels — retail and electronic — it’s
important that we continue to evolve and expand our services so they are
even more convenient to use and accessible to as many people as
possible. We’re uniquely positioned to do this with our network of more
than 450,000 agent locations, long-standing experience in moving money,
and agreements with leading telecommunications groups like Millicom.”

“We are pleased to be the first in Latin America to be launching a
cross-border money transfer service in partnership with Western Union,”
said Marcelo Cataldo, Head of Mobile Financial Services, Millicom Latin
America. “We continuously strive to offer our customers useful and
affordable services, from communication to entertainment and mobile
financial services. In Paraguay, we have been offering mobile financial
services for over 18 months and, in the last quarter of 2011, around 20%
of our customers used these facilities. With the addition of
cross-border mobile money transfer services which we will soon provide
in conjunction with Western Union, we aim to bring additional benefits
to a growing number of our customers in Latin America.”

Specific services under this agreement will vary by country, but over
time, Tigo customers in most of Millicom’s Latin American markets will
be able to receive money from Western Union customers directly into
their mobile accounts. They will also be able to cash out transactions
at any Tigo location offering the Giros Tigo facility.

Western Union offers its Mobile Money Transfer service in Bangladesh,
Canada, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Tanzania and the
U.S.

Millicom offers Mobile Financial Services and in particular in-market
money transfers in Paraguay, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Tanzania,
Ghana and Rwanda and will extend its offering to more services and into
more markets over time.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU – News) is a leader in global payment
services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western
Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union
provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient
ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to
purchase money orders. As of December 31, 2011, the Western Union, Vigo
and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined
network of approximately 485,000 agent locations in 200 countries and
territories. In 2011, The Western Union Company completed 226 million
consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $81 billion of
principal between consumers, and 425 million business payments. For more
information, visit www.westernunion.com.

About Millicom

Millicom International Cellular S.A. (Stockholmsbörsen: MIC) is a global
telecommunications group with mobile telephony operations in 13
countries in Central America, South America and Africa. It also operates
various combinations of fixed telephony, cable and broadband businesses
in five countries in Central America. The Group’s mobile operations have
a combined population under license of approximately 265 million people.
At YE 2011, Millicom had in excess of 43m customers served by over
680,000 points of sale across its mobile footprint of 13 countries,
namely: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay,
Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal
and Tanzania. For more information, visit www.millicom.com.

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WU-F, WU-G

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/millicom-international-cellular-western-union-070800434.html

Hop-on Successfully Launches World Tourism Phones into Cancun, Mexico

TEMECULA, Calif., Feb. 27, 2012  /PRNewswire/ – Hop-on, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: HPNN.PK – News) today announced the first “World Tourism Phone” through its subsidiary, Hop-on Mobile, S. DE R.L. DE C.V. The Company can now have a US or International phone number, with a local Mexican cell number.

Peter Michaels, Hop-on CEO, stated, “Hop-on Mobile Mexico has successfully launched its MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) program into the Mexican Market.  Now international travelers can use our phones to make local and long distance calls to loved ones back home or use them as a business solution.  Hop-on is targeting the “Mega Resorts” and travel industries in Mexico. Hop-on’s efforts have been successful in the Cancun area where Hop-on is working with 3 Mega Resorts and one travel provider. Positive responses are resulting in further expansion in Cancun and targeting other tourist areas within Mexico.

“While roaming on my Sprint iPhone in Mexico, I am paying over $2.27 + taxes a minute for a phone call to the US,” Michaels said.  Sprint does not have a roaming agreement in Mexico. For consumers who do have roaming deals with their current carriers, Hop on’s rates are much cheaper. Plus, the customer will not have to worry about losing their US or International cell phone and data plans.

Current Hop on customers traveling in Mexico and needing to know how to add time to their phones can visit www.hop-onmexico.com, according to Michaels.  If a customer does not know the phone number for their phone, customers can simply remove the phone’s battery and log in their IMIE number into our database and get access to their airtime and call history. They also can add airtime to their phones on the site.  Plus, they can use their Visa or Master Card to securely pay for the added minutes.

The Mexican Ministry of Tourism reported the number of air arrivals in December 2011 was up 13 percent compared to the same period in 2010. More than 1.07 million international travelers visited Mexico in December 2011, a record for that month.

Rodolfo Lopez-Negrete, Chief Operating Officer of the Mexico Tourism Board stated previously, “We envisage 2012 will be a record-breaking year for Mexico in terms of tourism numbers. Mexico’s tourism industry is undergoing a stunning transformation – based on a bold strategy of diversification — focused on promoting a broader range of tourism products (i.e. cultural tourism, adventure travel and health related-tourism) aimed at attracting a new breed of global consumer.”

About Hop-on, Inc.

Hop-on, Inc. is a leading international manufacturer of electronics. Since the company’s inception, it has been known for developing the world’s first $10 disposable cell phone. Today, Hop-on remains one of the few U.S. based manufacturers of cellular technology. The Company currently develops and manufactures electronic cigarettes and cigars for distributors throughout the U.S. and internationally. Hop-on also offers multi-media services and has secured licensing agreements from essential patent holders for GSM, CDMA and WiFi technologies.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933, and are subject to Rule 3B-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and other results and further events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements.

Hop-on:  Danny Coleman
1-949-756-9008
Danny@hop-on.com

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/hop-successfully-launches-world-tourism-162200074.html

Newport Media Achieves Key Milestone of 70 Million Broadcast TV ICs Shipped Worldwide

BARCELONA, Spain–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

Mobile World Congress (Hall 2, Stand 2E33) — Newport
Media, an innovative fabless communications semiconductor company
supplying products to the broadcast media industry, today announced it
has reached a key milestone in company history with cumulative shipments
of more than 70 million complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS)
SoCs that address multiple global standards for broadcast Mobile TV.

With the industry’s broadest portfolio of Mobile TV SoCs, Newport Media
is experiencing rapid growth in demand for its CMOS SoC solutions which
include RF TV Tuners, OFDM /Analog demodulation and hardware-based H.264
audio/video decoding functions. The company’s offerings support Analog
TV, the ISDB-T standard in Japan and Latin America, and CMMB mobile DTV
standards in China.

“Newport Media continues to experience rapid growth in shipments of our
Mobile TV SoC solutions,” said Mohy Abdelgany, president and chief
executive officer for Newport Media. “Achieving this key milestone of 70
million ICs shipped is a major accomplishment and a fitting milestone as
Newport Media begins to expand its focus beyond Mobile TV into the wider
broadcast television industry and other major communications system
semiconductor markets.”

Newport Media supplies ISDB-T SoC solutions to the majority of the
Mobile TV-enabled cellular handsets sold by Japanese-based handset
manufacturers for the country’s highly competitive domestic market.
Newport Media has moved beyond supplying to the Japanese domestic market
by enabling non-Japanese handset suppliers to participate in the Digital
Mobile TV markets in both Japan and Latin America. Examples include the
previously announced Samsung Galaxy Tab and recently introduced Motorola
EX139, LG X350 (dual SIM feature phones for Latin America) and
Softbank’s 009Z Android smartphone for Japan from ZTE. These phones will
be demonstrated during the Mobile World Congress at Newport Media’s
booth located in Hall 2, Stand 2E33.

About Newport Media, Inc.

Newport Media Inc. (“NMI”) is a fabless semiconductor company that
develops and sells highly integrated solutions for major broadcast and
cable TV standards. NMI leverages its unique OFDM baseband, RF, and
mixed signal platform technologies to bring to market complete system
solutions that are higher performance, lower power and more cost
effective than competing solutions. NMI’s current portfolio of broadcast
communications products include a broad selection of integrated SOC
solutions for Mobile TV, Cable, LCD and Set-top box applications. For
more information, visit www.nmisemi.com.

Newport Media is a trademark of Newport Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/newport-media-achieves-key-milestone-143000156.html