Redline Communications
Canadian wireless communications equipment provider specializing in industrial wide-area networks.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Redline Communications is a Canadian designer and manufacturer of wireless communications equipment for industrial, infrastructure, government and telecommunications applications. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, the company developed wide-area wireless networking systems intended to carry IP traffic across geographically dispersed and operationally demanding environments. Its technology has been used in settings where conventional wired connectivity is difficult, expensive or unavailable, including oil and gas facilities, military and government installations, telecommunications networks and other remote or mobile deployments. Redline’s initial commercial product was the AN-50 point-to-point wireless Ethernet bridge, launched in February 2002. The company subsequently built a broader portfolio around its Universal Wireless Technology platform, or UWT. Based on orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing and designed for operation across multiple spectrum ranges, the platform supported both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint configurations. Redline positioned these systems as a way to deliver high-capacity, low-latency TCP/IP communications over wide areas. Its terminals were designed for fixed, portable and full-motion terrestrial and maritime uses, while accompanying software, management tools and professional services supported deployment and operation of the networks. The company served customers through a mixed route to market. Redline sold complete wireless networks directly to end customers, particularly in specialized industrial and public-sector projects, while wireless terminals were also distributed indirectly through resellers and channel partners. This approach allowed the company to address both large engineered deployments and equipment-led sales. Its product and technology scope extended beyond basic broadband access to industrial backhaul, remote-site connectivity, mobile communications and infrastructure links. Redline became a public company on the Toronto Stock Exchange in October 2007. After an early period of rapid growth, its performance weakened and its share price declined sharply during the following two years. In 2010, accounting irregularities led to a trading halt, revenue restatements covering 2006 through 2009 and investor litigation involving the company and its then-accounting firm, KPMG LLP. The litigation was settled in 2011 without admissions of liability by the defendants. The episode prompted a substantial management and organizational reset. Eric Melka became permanent chief executive officer in January 2011, replacing the previous management team and reducing staff. During this period, Redline concentrated more heavily on oil and gas, which represented approximately half of company revenue by the end of 2012 according to the cited historical account. Melka’s departure for health reasons was announced in October 2012, and Robert Williams was appointed chief executive officer in December 2013. Redline also expanded its portfolio through the September 2014 acquisition of assets from PureWave Networks for $2 million. The company received industry recognition for its wireless networking technology and standards-related operations, including awards for its RAS Nomadic Platform and its application of international standards. It was also included in Canadian ICT and wireless-solutions rankings. In July 2022, Aviat Networks acquired Redline Communications and the company was delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange. Redline therefore became part of Aviat’s broader wireless networking business, while its brand and technology history remained associated with industrial-grade broadband and wide-area connectivity.
History
Redline Communications was established in Canada in 1999 as a specialist wireless communications technology company. Its early focus was on providing broadband connectivity across difficult or remote environments, where network operators and industrial organizations needed alternatives to wired infrastructure. The company’s first identified product, the AN-50 point-to-point wireless Ethernet bridge, was introduced in February 2002. This product established Redline’s role in transporting Ethernet and TCP/IP traffic over wireless links and became the starting point for a wider family of industrial networking solutions. Over time, Redline developed its Universal Wireless Technology platform. The platform used orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing and was designed to support both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint architectures over a range of spectrum options. This allowed Redline to address different network geometries and deployment requirements, from dedicated links between facilities to broader access networks serving multiple remote sites. The company’s systems supported fixed, portable and full-motion terrestrial and maritime applications, with associated software, tools and services for network configuration and management. Redline’s principal markets included oil and gas, military and government users, and telecommunications service providers. Its industrial orientation reflected the need for communications in geographically dispersed facilities, remote production areas and other locations where reliability, coverage and low latency were important. The company sold complete networks directly to end customers, while resellers supplied many of its wireless terminal products. This combination of direct project sales and indirect equipment distribution enabled Redline to operate across specialized infrastructure projects and channel-based markets. The company entered a new phase when it was listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in October 2007. Its valuation and share price had grown during its earlier expansion, but growth slowed after the initial public offering. The company’s shares subsequently fell substantially by 2009. In April 2010, accounting irregularities were disclosed and trading in the shares was halted. Redline later restated revenues for the four years from 2006 through 2009. The accounting problems also generated a class action lawsuit by investors against Redline and KPMG LLP, the company’s accounting firm at the time. The case was settled in September 2011, and the Ontario Superior Court approved the settlement in November. The agreement involved payments by both Redline and KPMG, without either defendant admitting liability. Management changed significantly during the restructuring period. Eric Melka, previously associated with Redline shareholder Telemedia Inc., became permanent chief executive officer in January 2011. The new management team reduced overall staffing and redirected the company toward markets considered more strategically attractive. Oil and gas became an especially important focus; by the end of 2012, that sector accounted for about half of Redline’s revenue according to the cited company history. Melka’s departure was announced in October 2012 for health reasons. Robert Williams was appointed CEO in December 2013. Redline continued to develop and promote its wireless technology during the post-restatement period. Its RAS Nomadic Platform received recognition in the 2012 Fierce Innovations Awards in the backhaul category. In January 2013, Redline received the BSI Canada Award of Excellence for its use of international standards, and it was later recognized as BestinBiz’s Comeback Company of the Year for 2013. The company also appeared in the Branham Group’s 2015 rankings of Canadian ICT companies and wireless-solutions companies. In September 2014, Redline announced the purchase of PureWave Networks assets for $2 million. The transaction broadened the company’s product and technology base. Redline remained a publicly traded wireless networking business until July 2022, when Aviat Networks acquired it. Following the acquisition, Redline was delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange and became part of Aviat’s wider communications-equipment operations.
- 2022
Acquired by Aviat Networks
[1]Aviat Networks acquired Redline Communications, which was subsequently delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange.
- 2014
PureWave Networks asset acquisition
[1]Redline announced its purchase of PureWave Networks assets.
- 2012
Oil and gas became a core market
[1]Oil and gas represented approximately half of company revenue by the end of the year according to the cited history.
- 2011
Management restructuring and litigation settlement
[1]Eric Melka became CEO, staffing was reduced, and the investor class action was settled.
- 2010
Accounting investigation and restatement
[1]Accounting irregularities led to a trading halt and subsequent revenue restatements covering 2006–2009.
- 2007
Initial public listing
[1]Redline was listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange in October.
- 2002
AN-50 launched
[1]Redline launched the AN-50 point-to-point wireless Ethernet bridge in February.
- 1999
Company founded
[1]Redline Communications was founded in Canada as a wireless communications technology company.
Products and positioning
Specialist provider of rugged, high-capacity and low-latency wireless networking for geographically distributed industrial, public-sector and telecommunications environments.
Point-to-point wireless Ethernet bridge · 2002
AN-50
Redline’s first identified commercial product, the AN-50 was introduced in February 2002 as a point-to-point wireless Ethernet bridge. It carried Ethernet and TCP/IP traffic across wireless links and established the company’s early focus on broadband connectivity for remote and infrastructure-oriented deployments.
Wireless networking platform
Universal Wireless Technology platform
Redline’s UWT platform was based on OFDM and supported point-to-point and point-to-multipoint network designs. It served as the technical foundation for systems intended to distribute high-capacity, low-latency IP communications over broad geographic areas and across different spectrum ranges.
Nomadic wireless backhaul platform
RAS Nomadic Platform
The RAS Nomadic Platform was a Redline wireless networking offering designed for mobile or changing connectivity environments. Its recognition in the 2012 Fierce Innovations Awards reflected the platform’s association with wireless backhaul and nomadic communications applications.
Industrial wireless terminal equipment
Wireless terminals
Redline supplied wireless terminals for fixed, portable and full-motion terrestrial and seaborne deployments. These devices provided TCP/IP transport for industrial, government, military and telecommunications networks and were sold both through direct projects and reseller channels.
Controversies
2011
Investor class action
Investors brought a class action alleging that Redline had overstated profits and understated or downplayed costs in its financial statements. The case was settled in 2011, with payments by Redline and KPMG and no admission of liability by either defendant.
2010
Accounting irregularities and revenue restatement
Redline disclosed accounting irregularities in 2010. Trading in its shares was halted, and the company restated revenues for the years 2006 through 2009.
Brand decisions
2022
Acquisition by Aviat NetworksM&ABackground
Redline remained a specialist wireless networking company serving industrial and infrastructure markets.
Action taken
Aviat Networks acquired Redline Communications.
Aftermath
Redline was delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange and integrated into Aviat Networks’ communications-equipment business.
2014
Purchase of PureWave Networks assetsM&ABackground
Redline sought to expand its wireless communications portfolio and technology base.
Action taken
The company announced the acquisition of PureWave Networks assets.
Aftermath
The transaction added PureWave-related assets to Redline’s wireless networking business.
Purchase price. $2 million (September 2014 announcement)
2011
Management reset and industrial-market refocusStrategyBackground
The company faced the consequences of accounting problems, weak share performance and a need to restore operating momentum.
Action taken
New CEO Eric Melka replaced the management team, reduced overall staffing and placed greater emphasis on the oil and gas sector.
Aftermath
Oil and gas reportedly represented approximately half of Redline’s revenue by the end of 2012.
Sources1 sources
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