TransCore on Wednesday, April 1, announced the sale of GlobalWave satellite communications assets to SkyWave Mobile Communications. In addition, Inmarsat — a provider of global mobile satellite communications services — will make a 19 percent strategic investment in privately held SkyWave, based in Ottawa.
TransCore says it will continue to sell, service and manufacture the GlobalWave suite of products as a SkyWave value-added reseller for North American fleet and rail markets. The agreements are subject to regulatory approval that is expected to be granted in mid-2009; terms were not disclosed.
“The collective expertise of SkyWave Mobile Communications, Inmarsat and TransCore will provide our transportation customers with unparalleled products and service, while ensuring long-term satellite access,” says John Worthington, president of TransCore’s commercial technology group. “As current satellite networks age, access to newer technology and long-range service will provide customers the assurance that asset-tracking products they invest in can support their needs now and in the future.”
TransCore says that since it originally acquired GlobalWave five years ago, the company has grown the satellite communications business through groundbreaking research and development of asset-tracking technology, which included a core modem that more than doubled battery life of mobile units and container-tracking prototype designs for the European Space Agency. TransCore says GlobalWave now supports customers worldwide, including more than 675 commercial fleets throughout North America and the U.S. Department of Defense.
“This agreement provides GlobalWave customers continued access to a powerhouse of resources devoted to research and development that will bring an array of next-generation products to market in a short time,” says Kelly Gravelle, chief technical officer of Portland, Ore.-based TransCore.
