BelAir Networks Raises Another $21.4M
October 2nd, 2006 Posted in Main Page, Venture Capital, Wireless/Wi-Fi
Today's topic du jour seems to be Wi-Fi as BelAir Networks has raised $21.4-million in a series D deal led by Ventures West and Trilogy Equity Partners. The company's existing investors - Comcast Interactive Capital, T-Mobile Venture fund, Parorama Capital, VenGrowth Capital, BDC Venture Capital and MMV Financial also took part in the round. MMV also provided a $5-million venture loan. BelAir, which sells equipment for municipal networks using Wi-Fi, 3G and WiMax technology, said the cash will be used to bolsters its sales and marketing activities, as well as international expansion. The Ottawa-based company, which has raised $65.4 million to date, has recently won municipal Wi-Fi contracts in Minneapolis , London and Toronto.
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Belair is a good company, and they have good products, but neither they nor anyone else will make a dime of profit on municipal wifi. Look at the numbers: $2000 price for an access point with 30% margin and cities likely to need a few hundred to a few thousand. 6 competitors for the business, not to mention WIMAX vendors. The deployments to date (Taipei, San Fran, ..) are not making money. This is going to be another market where laughter turns to crying soon.