IT World Canada Staff

Satellite-based mobile communications company Globalstar Canada said it has expanded its services to include short messaging service (SMS) and direct dial-up data access.

Laurentian Bank of Canada announced last week it has begun turning over its IT operations to CGI as part of a $300-million outsourcing agreement between the bank and CGI.

MasterCard Canada has launched MasterCard Virtual Solution, what the company calls the first virtual payment card for Internet, mobile commerce, mail order/telephone order and other remote and recurring payment purchases that does not require a physical card.

C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. of Ottawa and Hughes Network Systems (HNS), a division of Hughes Electronics Corporation, has launched its high-speed satellite-based Internet service

Bank of Montreal (BMO) has enhanced its wireless service to offer more detailed stock and index information and the ability to personalize news delivered to mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDA's), such as the RIM BlackBerry.

Charles Schwab Canada and Laurentian Bank of Canada subsidiary B2B Trust announced last week they

Toronto-based BankWorks, a company specializing in financial services and distance learning technologies announced last week a joint venture with Star Choice, the direct-to-home satellite TV company and Bass Hotels and Resorts, franchisor of the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza hotel chains, to launch a non-proprietary interactive satellite business TV network in Canada.

Bell Canada has launched a suite of wireless data products for its business Internet customers that include mobile e-mail and customizable business information accessible from a digital PCS phone.