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WiLAN Acquires Wi-Fi – Cellular Network Integration Technology
WiLAN announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mobile Data Off-Loading Inc., has acquired a portfolio of patents that relates to technology…
WiLAN announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mobile Data Off-Loading Inc., has acquired a portfolio of patents that relates to technology that seamlessly transfers communications between Wi-Fi and cellular wireless networks.
The rapid adoption of mobile devices, including next-generation smart phones and tablet computers, has driven enormous, exponential growth in the use of bandwidth-intensive data applications, including video streaming.
The integration of Wi-Fi and cellular networks helps reduce cellular network congestion by automatically transferring data communication to higher capacity Wi-Fi networks.
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“Over the past few months, numerous articles have appeared in such well-respected newspapers as The New York Times, The Houston Chronicle, The Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal describing how some of the world’s largest companies, as well as a number of smaller start-ups, are already beginning to offer mobile telephone service that seamlessly combines cellular and Wi-Fi capability,” said Jim Skippen, President & CEO, WiLAN. “For years, the major carriers have been seeking ways to reduce congestion on their cellular networks and, since this exciting new approach to mobile telecommunications promises to ultimately give customers greatly improved flexibility, significantly better coverage and, at the same time, much lower costs, it is already beginning to be considered by many as representing a major step forward for mobile phone users.”
WiLAN believes that the patented technology that it has acquired will be, and already is, applicable to a wide range of wireless products, systems, and mobile telecommunication services.
The value of the patents in the portfolio has already been demonstrated through license agreements generated by a number of previous enforcement actions.
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The acquisition of this new patent portfolio, which is now one of over 40 portfolios that WiLAN has available for licensing, did not have a material effect on the company’s cash position.