BT line threat David Manners BT could lose control of the local loop this year allowing its competitors access to the telephone lines going into consumers’ houses. If the government legislates on proposals of industry watchdog Oftel next week to free up the local loop, the UK could be in for the biggest upgrade to the telephone network in its ...

Molex moves towards global pricing strategy Richard Wilson Molex CEO Fred Krehbiel has told distributors not to take advantage of global pricing on products as the connector manufacturer puts in place a new global business structure later this year. Krehbiel said that while Molex still does not have global pricing it is something the company is moving towards with its ...

Stock float could value ARC Cores at $300m Richard Ball ARC Cores expects a stock exchange flotation next year to value the London-based microprocesor design firm at around $300m. “By the time we float, we’ll be worth about $225m,” ARC’s chief executive, Bob Terwilliger, told Electronics Weekly. The first day’s trading could see the value rise to $300m, he said. ...

Vodafone makes first 3G CDMA call Roy Rubenstein Mobile phone operator Vodafone has carried out first trial calls using third generation CDMA technology. Working with Lucent Technologies, the 128Mbit/s voice calls involved a prototype UMTS basestation and a mobile handset simulator at Vodafone’s Newbury headquarters. Also operator One2One is working with Ericsson to integrate GSM technology with local area networks ...

Nortel readies first EDGE basestation Richard Wilson Nortel Networks claims to have the industry’s first EDGE-ready microcellular basestation. Nortel Networks said the e-cell basestation allows GSM operators to add capacity while preparing for deployment of third generation UMTS mobile services like wireless Internet. Expected to be available next year, the EDGE air interface standard for high-speed wireless data allows up ...

Prescott gets behind tolling tests Richard Wilson Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has announced the first two tests for electronic road tolling in Edinburgh and Leeds. Selected vehicles will be fitted with a computer recognition system and a charge will be registered every time they pass roadside gantries but no money will change hands. If the tests show the technology ...

Centre explores lead-free soldering Richard Ball A technology centre dedicated to exploring the use of lead-free soldering has been set up by ITRI, formerly known as the International Tin Research Institute. Based at the Brunel Science Park in Uxbridge, the centre will research issues such as reliability, metallurgy, recovery, PCBs and components.

Thesys Mikroelektronik fab sold Richard Ball Thesys Mikroelektronik, the German wafer fab, has been sold to Belgian firm Elex. Elex is a holding company which owns Melexis, the sensor and Asic developer, and X-Fab, a silicon wafer foundry with plants in Germany and Texas. Thesys brings a 6in. fab using 0.5?m design rules. The X-Fabs run mixed-signal designs from 2?m ...

Vitesse sets up in Europe David Manners Vitesse Semiconductor, the gallium arsenide house which specialises in high-speed communications and ATE chips, has opened subsidiaries in Italy and Germany. Vitesse, like other US communications companies, sees Europe as about to open up its telecommunications infrastructure to high-speed upgrade technology and is looking to position itself to take advantage.

BAe gyro in line for innovation award Roy Rubenstein A team from British Aerospace Systems & Equipment (BASE) is in the running for the ?50,000 Royal Academy of Engineering MacRobert Award for innovation. The team, one of four finalists, has been nominated for its micromachined ring gyroscope (see Electronics Weekly, May 19, p4). Lucas Varity has chosen the BASE sensor ...