Africa
Solar products are being used to complete a portion of a rural network infrastructure project in Mozambique. A Canadian telecom company will be supplying the local African telecom service provider the Alpha solar/PV (photovoltaic) solution. Alpha will be supplying the solar power to all the off grid and grid tied sites. Argus has earned a contract to install power systems for South Africa's major power supplier, ESKOM. The communication applications contract is for 48, 110 and 220Vdc power systems. Currently, Argus is providing Botswana's main telecom provider with new rectifiers in their major switches, and are the sole provider of rectifiers for Malawi's up and coming cellular network provider.

In Angola Argus has installed approximately 100 rectifiers in cellular base stations and provided equipment for the two major switching centers. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Argus has become the sole supplier of base station rectifiers and is now supplying systems for the switching centers. In Kenya, Argus is currently supplying rectifiers for the GSM rollout and have provided systems for their main switching centers.

Canada
The Montreal Subway is revamping its communication and control system. Argus has been selected to supply the 48VDC systems required in all 81 stations and control centers. Argus' flexible system design allows the ability to pre-kit each system with individual substation name and parameters. The kits are integrated in a customer supplied cabinet at a local staging area. All service and operation personnel are trained locally or remotely using a web based application.

Alpha's Novus 1000 UPS is becoming the standard for traffic intersection light backup systems in Canada. All Eastern Canadian provinces are deploying the Novus UPS to protect critical intersections. Daily lane changing bridges require 100% availability of the control systems; this has been achieved using the AC filtering and high reliability of the Novus system. The customized cabinet with multiple configurations decreases deployment and installation time.

Quebec's independent telephone companies turn to The Alpha Group for power solutions. With the new wave of WiMax equipment being deployed, traditional telephone companies find themselves obligated to offer multiple services. Aging power systems with limited growth capacity force them to update central offices and remote shelters. With a wide range of AC UPS and DC solutions, The Alpha Group, with the help of a local partner, is providing complete reliable backup systems. Typical applications include Internet servers backed up by Alpha's CFR 5 to 15kVA. The CFR 5kVA bypass mode inverter is widely used to offer AC backup using the larger battery bank from the central office.

Alpha solar products are being introduced into the Canadian market via the Ontario government's Conservation Task Force, which has recently released its report on conservation and renewable energy. Entitled "Building a Conservation Culture in Ontario," it recommends 30 specific renewable energy initiatives geared toward commercial real estate owners/operators. The report also supports the resolutions of the Ontario Liberal Party Conference, which included subsidies for green energy (such as solar heated water), and the introduction of a feed in tariff program.

One of the few remaining government owned incumbent telephonies in the world continues to be a leader in technology evolution. Through expansion of exisiting Argus power plants, the deployment of Cordex controllers for remote location communications, and the RSM 48/10 as part of their 48Vdc outdoor cabinet power, this telephone company has been able to bring high speed Internet to more than 86% of its province's population. This includes public institutions in 366 communities, linking 834 educational facilities, 310 health facilities, 86 First Nations schools, 256 government offices and 162 libraries.

The RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police), in the province of Saskatchewan, has chosen to power 172 radio repeater shelters with 24Vdc power supplies from Argus. Their current equipment was being upgraded and required new power supplies at the same time. Argus' RSM 24/18 rectifier systems are currently used by the RCMP and the power requirements are a perfect match for the 24Vdc power supply units. Argus provided test and evaluation equipment for four sites in advance of the project. As a result Argus was able to custom design and manufacture distribution to meet the RCMP's load and battery connection demands precisely. When the public tender was released Argus had the only product that achieved a perfect score on the tender point scoring system. This may equate to Argus providing replacement power systems across Canada.

ChinaChina is a difficult market with very low market based pricing. However, the magnitude of the market demands that The Alpha Group maximize its presence in China in order to gain market share, whereby driving down manufacturing costs.

For The Alpha Group in China there have been two significant developments in 2005:

Alpha entered into a strategic alliance with a very successful distribution/integration partner in China. This partner has more than 60 sales personnel and is active with both traditional telecom carriers as well as the utilities market.

Alpha Group DC products have been selected by China Mobile to power their 3G wireless outdoor BTS (base transceiver station) sites. To date, 60 systems have been installed in outdoor wireless sites.

Europe
On-going activities includes a recent bid to an Eastern European law enforcement agency looking for both equipment and turnkey services, Argus responded with Cordex 3.6 and 1.8kW in 19" systems and are eagerly awaiting the outcome.

Poland presents a further temder opportunity to power remote border patrol centres, with Alpha's AC UPS's.

In Hungary, Argus has responded to their Government's tender for a secure public mobile wireless net for police/government services with the Cordex 1.8 and 3.6kW rectifiers.

Turkey has presented opportunities to Argus for Cordex systems to a Turkish wireless operator and an oil and gas company.

In Madrid, Spain, Argus is pursuing a project for DC and AC replacement in a rail transportation network.

Mexico
Argus Mexico continues its growth in the Latin American markets, excelling not only as the supplier of choice for DC power plants but now becoming industry leaders in site service and maintenance in Mexico. After developing a reputation for the high quality of work rendered during a contract with Alcatel, Argus Mexico has been awarded the maintenance service contract of TELCEL's (America Movil) 1100 sites countrywide. This contract represents the ratification of Argus Mexico as a major player in the Mexican market. Argus Mexico was chosen by TELCEL as the prime supplier in their node centers UPS replacement program. This project calls for Argus to develop the necessary EF&I of high capacity (2000A) power plant systems, batteries and inverters to replace the existing UPS systems at TELCEL switch centers. Nextel has selected Argus as the DC power plant of choice in their newly deployed market, servicing the Cancun area. Argus was called to deliver the first 50 sites under extremely tight timelines and given our track record, it was felt that Argus was the only vendor who could deliver in accordance with the customer needs.

Paraguay
Success was recently achieved when PORTABLE (formerly Hutchinson, now America Movil) gave Argus the task to supply, deliver, install, and commission a high capacity power plant (2000A) and three mid-size (800A) power plants for their new MSO (multiple service operator) in Asuncion. Once again Argus' ability to deliver fast, timely manner as well as their reputation in the region earned them the customer's trust and confidence, awarding Argus the responsability to carry this milestone program to fruition.

Philippines
Argus and its incountry partner were recently awarded an order by telecom provider, Innove, to provide Cordex power plants. The Cordex's ability to handle wide AC input range and operating temperature reaching more than 50°C surpassed the customer's performance and technical requirements. This carrier's equipment is housed in outdoor cabinets installed along streets exposed to dust, heat and AC voltage fluctuations. This is especially critical in rural areas where the customer's major DLC (digital loop carrier) network is located.

Thailand
Argus and a local partner have put on trial a Novus XT enclosure in the first steps to securing an order for an initial 130 Novus XT units with a potential for 800 units overall. The Novus was put on trial with one of Thailand's leading wireless communications providers in an outdoor metro site. Alpha's Novus surpassed the lab test conducted by their engineers in August 2005, and was rated in the number one position.

Mexico, Caribbean, Chile
The consolidation of Mexican, Caribbean and Chilean CATV operators has spurred a renewed level of investment in networks and services in the region.

"Shareholders and executives of these CCTV companies are placing great emphasis on the roll out of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, business services, digital television and high speed Internet. This results in greater interest than just a standard XM2 package. Operators are asking for more runtime and the AlaphaCell 210 battery is meeting their challenge. In addition, their are looking at the newly redesigned AlphaGuard, and new battery expansion enclosures," said Paul Shmotolokha, VP of International Sales.

This year, the Latin American market has embraced the need for status monitoring and software. Alpha's AlphaNet family of networking products includes the Ethernet and DOCSIS Status Monitoring (ESM and DSM) broadband power communication cards, enabling Alpha's XM2 UPS to connect directly to a network with standard Ethernet, a user supplied cable modem or an embedded cable modem.

Antonio Galvez, Sales Director for Latin America commented, "Interest in HMS and DOCSIS transponders are about equal, which differs from the US market where DOCSIS is king. Our customers are also very excited about the new lower entry costs and ease of use associated with the AlphaNet ESM and DSM line."

Alpha's distributors for Latin America and the Caribbean have been actively stocking on AlphaGen Portable Generators for immediate requirements arising in the field. Hurricanes are part of the reason to maintain stock of these units, but mainly it is to backup even-more sophisticated networks that are evolving where operators are deploying more business services or critical hub sites.

Jorge Villobos, Alpha's newly appointed Manager of AC/DC Headend Sales for Latin America, commented, "Cablevision Mexico praised the AlphaGen Portable's low noise versus normal AC Generators and are now wanting to switch over to Alpha's portable product solution."

In Latin America, the need for powering solutions with extended backup for critical nodes has risen. In Jamaica, Alpha is deploying high-end Powernodes with 5kVA generators to power up to fourteen nodes from each site.

The GMX standby power supply is for the cable industry and features a compact design and lightweight ferro transformer, adding to its cost effectiveness and ease of installation. Customers in Argentina, Venezuela, and Brazil have expressed immediate interest, and it is predicted that these markets will recognize the GMX product line as soon as the trials are finished. Basic, yet reliable, this power supply offers necessary options as the Latin American market has embraced the need for status monitoring and software.