California Amplifier Joins Wireless Cable TV Alliance

Camarillo-based California Amplifier Inc. is one of six firms that have formed an alliance to develop digital technology for the wireless cable television industry. The group is headed by Zenith Electronics Corp. and American Telecasting Inc.

California Amplifier hopes to gain a stake in wireless systems that could someday compete with cable by offering viewers hundreds of TV channels.

The alliance will also investigate offering pay-per-view movies, wireless telephone service, interactive games and home shopping, reports Ira (Ike) Coron, California Amplifier’s newly named chairman and chief executive.

“It won’t affect our sales or earnings for some time, but we hope it will bring the possibilities for wireless into perspective,” Coron said.

California Amplifier produces components used in distributing TV signals.