REGINA, SK and VICTORIA, BC, Sept. 7 /CNW/ - VCom Inc. (TSX: VCM) and
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Inc. (TSX: SWP) today announced the establishment of a
long-term strategic relationship to expand high-speed technology to the Pool,
its farm customers and communities throughout the Province of Saskatchewan.
YourLink Inc., VCom's subsidiary Internet service provision company, and
the Pool have entered into a 7-year agreement to extend YourLink's wireless
network coverage to over 100 of the Pool's grain marketing and agri-product
centres across Saskatchewan. Combining VCom's top-selling Broadband Wireless
Internet Network (BWIN) and newly developed WiMAX systems, YourLink will
provide high-speed, wireless broadband service to the Pool's Saskatchewan
network.
As part of the agreement, many of the Pool's sites will also become
high-speed wireless access points that are expected to add several thousand
subscribers to YourLink's Saskatchewan base and generate $8 million in
YourLink revenue over the life of the agreement. Targeting farms and small
communities within range of the Pool's locations, YourLink will be able to
provide high speed Internet services to a large area of Saskatchewan beyond
the areas already covered by its extensive tower network.
"The Pool's grain handling network and strategically located
agri-products facilities are a natural fit as access points," said VCom
Chairman and Chief Executive Dr. Surinder Kumar. "The height and centrality of
these locations presents the strategic opportunity to provide Internet
services to farms, businesses and residents in neighbouring areas."
As one of the largest companies in the Province of Saskatchewan and a
significant contributor to the economic fabric of rural communities, the Pool
is expanding its commitment to agriculture through this initiative. It is the
first step in a comprehensive strategy being employed by the Pool that will
position its growers with the technology and access to the real-time
information they require to maximize their marketing opportunities and compete
in the global marketplace.
President and CEO Mayo Schmidt said, "This relationship brings value to
our operations by improving network performance and allowing us to manage
costs over the long-term. Our partnership allows the Pool to contribute to the
expansion of high-speed wireless capabilities within Saskatchewan while
offering our customers new solution-based technology that will improve the
efficiency of their farming operations. It is this type of innovation that the
Pool will continue to provide to ensure that western Canadian farmers have the
tools they need to compete."
YourLink also plans high-performance WiMAX installations beginning this
fall in urban communities around Saskatchewan. This will be the first
commercial deployment of VCom's new WiMAX product in Canada and will provide
regional Saskatchewan cities and businesses with advanced data services
previously available only in large centres.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are not
historical facts, but are based on certain assumptions and reflect VCom's
current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number
of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from current expectations. VCom disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. Given these risks and
uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements as a prediction of actual results.
BACKGROUNDER
VCom and the Pool Join Forces to Expand High-Speed Technology in
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Saskatchewan
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Quick Facts:
- YourLink high-speed Internet service is currently available in 69 of
the Pool's 100 Saskatchewan locations
- The remaining locations will be given access in the next 12 months
- Rural residents and businesses can call YourLink at 1-866-650-5465 to
determine whether service is available in their area
>>
About VCom (www.vcom.com)
VCom Inc. (TSX: VCM) designs, manufactures and sells products that enable
broadband access to cable, wireless and telephony networks. VCom's hardware
products incorporate embedded software developed by it to meet the complex
requirements of next-generation, high-speed digital networks. Service
providers use VCom's solutions to deliver services to a converging worldwide
broadband market, including what are commonly known as "triple play" (voice,
video and data) and "quadruple play" (voice, video, data and wireless)
services. VCom's solutions allow service providers to rapidly and
cost-effectively bridge the final network segment that connects the system
directly to endusers, commonly referred to as "the last mile", by overcoming
the bottleneck resulting from insufficient carrying capacity in legacy, last
mile infrastructures. VCom's products are directed at three principal markets:
Data over Cable, Broadband Wireless and Digital Video. The Company has also
developed and continues to focus on developing products to address emerging
markets such as Voice over Internet Protocol, fibre to the home and IP video.
VCom currently employs approximately 600 people in Western Canada.
Contact: Alan Brick, Investor Relations Officer 250-881-1982
alan.brick(at)vcom.com
YourLink: (www.yourlink.ca)
Providing Broadband Communications to BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and
Ontario
Headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada, YourLink provides innovative
high-speed wireless Internet solutions and cable television services to
residential and business subscribers across Canada. YourLink was formed in
2003 to deploy Saskatchewan designed and manufactured equipment from VCom Inc.
YourLink is also offering NetCall, a bundled VoIP service utilizing low-cost,
full-featured inexpensive long distance and voice-over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) second line telephone services to its entire operating area.
YourLink's wireless network brings broadband Internet service to rural
areas and small communities outside the range of traditional cable or telco
DSL service. Prior to the introduction of broadband wireless, many rural
residents could only access the Internet through dial-up telephone lines.
Internet service via traditional cable is not feasible in sparsely populated
regions, and satellite services have too much delay for many Internet
applications.
Contact: Quinton Eon 306-955-3122 quinton.eon(at)yourlinkinc.net
About the Pool (www.swp.com)
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Inc. is a publicly traded agribusiness
headquartered in Regina, Saskatchewan. Anchored by a Prairie-wide grain
handling and agri-products marketing network, the Pool channels Prairie
production to end-use markets in North America and around the world. These
operations are complemented by value-added businesses and strategic alliances,
which allow the Pool to leverage its pivotal position between Prairie farmers
and destination customers. The Pool's common shares are listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol SWP.
Contact: Colleen Vancha, Vice-President, Investor Relations &
Communications 306-569-4782 colleen.vancha(at)swp.com
