Wireless: Discover Innovative Canadian Capabilities

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Wireless and Canada: The Future Is Here

No Wires? No Problem

For more than a century, Canada has led the world in communications, and it has been heavily involved in the development of wireless technology ever since the first trans-Atlantic wireless message was transmitted in 1901.

Powerful trends are driving wireless growth: the ongoing expansion of the Internet, the need for higher bandwidths and the popularity of mobile communication systems. No matter what the needs are, ingenious and resourceful Canadian companies are at the forefront of creating the breakthrough tools and techniques that are unwiring the world of the future.

From the days of Alexander Graham Bell to the revolutionary wireless world of 3G, Wi-Fi and beyond, Canada has been, is and will be a window into the future of communications.

Wireless Leadership in Canada

The breadth and depth of Canadian wireless expertise is truly impressive. Its thriving wireless sector includes some of the best-known corporate names in the industry.

• Nortel Networks supplies service providers and enterprises with communications technology and infrastructure to enable value-added intellectual property (IP) data, and voice and multimedia services spanning wireless, wireline, enterprise and optical networks.
• Research In Motion (RIM) provides innovative wireless solutions for the mobile communications market. RIM's BlackBerry® wireless solution recently won the coveted CNET Editor's Choice Award, which recognizes outstanding computing and electronics products.
• Wi-LAN specializes in high-speed Internet access, LAN/WAN extension and broadband wireless access. Wi-LAN has provided its Ultima3 Wi-Fi solution to showcase the Hotspots project of Calgary's Wireless City initiative.
• Sierra Wireless creates AirCard® wireless PC cards for laptops and hand-held devices; original-equipment-manufacturer modules for embedded applications; and rugged, vehicle-mounted wireless systems. It has also introduced the Voq line of professional telephones on the smart-phone platform for business users.

Other Canadian wireless innovators may be less well known to the general public, but their standards of excellence are every bit as high, and their wireless achievements every bit as praiseworthy.

• PolarSat is an international provider of full-meshed very-small-aperture terminal networks that help optimize satellite-based telephone and video data transmission in parts of the world where conventional telecommunication infrastructures are lacking.
• Psion Teklogix offers rugged mobile computing devices and wireless LAN implementation and support. Its hand-held tablet, netpad 5000, has won major industry awards.
• BelAir Networks' patented multiple-point-to-point wireless mesh architecture provides a high-capacity wireless backbone. BelAir products combine this secure wireless backbone with wireless access solutions such as Wi-Fi to deliver practical deployment of wireless networks in city centres and larger venues.
• Consilient Technologies has developed mobility software that lets companies extend their in-house information technology systems to hand-held devices. The software is built upon standards that allow for Novell, Oracle Corporation and Sun Microsystems to be extended, wirelessly, to hand-held devices on any network.
• Lotek is a world leader in designing and manufacturing fish- and wildlife-tracking systems. Its radio, acoustic, archival and satellite monitoring solutions let researchers track animals of almost any size in almost any environment. Lotek is a partner in conducting fish and wildlife research in more than 35 countries, on every continent and in every ocean.

Cutting-Edge Canadian Research

How is it that Canadian companies are constantly rolling back the frontiers of wireless technology? The answer may be simple, but it isn't easy: it's research. World-renowned Canadian research has made for constant innovation. Wireless clusters are emerging in Canada, and are stimulating industry, university and government collaborations that are setting global standards of excellence.

Corporations from around the world are developing new products in Canada, and many have set up cooperative research projects with Canadian universities. Major global companies such as Ericsson, Nortel Networks, Siemens, Nokia and Motorola all have significant research operations in Canada.

Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) is involved in the management of technical issues concerning the radio spectrum, the deployment of wireless communications and broadcast services, and the development of new technologies and knowledge for exploitation by the Canadian wireless industry. CRC is the federal government's main research centre for communications technology R&D. The CRC laboratories develop and test new wireless concepts, prototypes and products, and collaborate with partners around the world in mobile systems, satellite communication, digital broadcasting, coding, advanced antenna systems, broadband access and network protocols.

The Canada Network of Wireless Centres (CWCnet) is a nationwide network of public wireless centres of excellence, with a special focus on enhancing the productivity, commercialization and innovation capacities of small and medium-sized enterprises. Researchers at universities across Canada work closely with these wireless centres and with industry, to further the growing strength of Canadian telecommunications technology clusters.

Get on the Wireless Beam, in Canada

Canada is a leader in satellite communications, mobile data and fixed wireless technology:

• Canada's satellite technology companies include Norsat International, COM DEV International, PolarSat, SED Systems (a division of CALIAN Ltd.) and EMS Technologies.
• The growth of cellular communications shows the importance of “anytime, anywhere” voice communication. With greater bandwidth, the next generation of cellular systems will bring even more advantages and growth to mobile data communications. Canadian companies like Research In Motion, Sierra Wireless, 724 Solutions and Contec Innovations are making it happen.
• Internet users are growing increasingly frustrated with bottlenecks and slow-speed connections. Fixed wireless is poised to dramatically increase their broadband access. Canadian firms such as Harris Corporation, CSI Wireless, Wi-LAN, WaveRider, Redline Communications, fSONA and SR Telecom are ready.

Find Out More

Wireless opportunities abound in Canada. Why not let your company take advantage of Canada's great wireless communications environment? To find out more about Canadian wireless technology capabilities and clusters, please visit one of the following sites:

• www.investincanada.gc.ca
• www.strategis.gc.ca/ictclusters
• www.strategis.gc.ca/infotech

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