August 6, 2001 – Bell Canada is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to wearable computers.

As a result of a successful field trial, Bell Canada plans to purchase Xybernaut Mobile Assitant V – the latest version of the company's wearable computer – for 300 of its field staff.

Bell Canada said Xybernaut's MA V, a wearable computer that can be worn as a vest or belt, will eventually replace the IBM ThinkPad laptops used by approximately 10,000 Bell Canada field technicians. MA Vs can be equipped with either a head-mounted or a flat panel display screen for viewing images.

"To say that Bell Canada is extremely pleased with the results is an understatement – we had to literally beg trial participants to return the units," said Brad Chitty, general manager of Bell Canada's mobile communications services. "Wearable PCs have performed extremely well in a number of environments, saving us time on repair calls and resulting in better customer service."

The trial, managed by Bell Canada's Mobile Communications Centre, began in October 2000 and included outfitting 19 Bell Canada technicians from across the company with the MA IV, an earlier version of the wearable computers. Bell tested the wearable PCs, capable of connecting to the Internet and providing a wireless voice connection, in a wide range of weather and work conditions.

One of the first large-scale pilot tests of wearable computers, the trial found that wearable PCs can significantly improve mobility and connectivity, resulting in time savings and increased productivity.

Xybernaut's MA wearable provides mobile workers with reliable, accessible voice and data communications, according to Xybernaut CEO Edward G. Newman. "In addition to freeing up technicians' hands to do more work, the device also gives them immediate access to the information they need no matter where they are," said Newman.

Among the field trial results:

• Bell Canada service technicians found the technology easy to use.

• Time savings resulting from improved portability and reduced computing time was more than 50 minutes per day per technician.

• Total portability reduced the need to return to vehicles to boot up laptops and enter data.

• The Mobile Assistant's fully wireless functionality also reduced computing time significantly.

• The daylight readable screen contributed to a reduction in computing time and proved to be superior when viewing plant schematic diagrams.

• A potential cost savings through greater connectivity, in addition to productivity gains.

• Constant access to portable information eliminated the need for paper information.