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Wavefront + Sierra Wireless Developer Program
What's Inside
Letter from ED
This month has been one of our busiest since I joined WINBC. It's full of good news, so I'll keep this relatively section short.
April 1-3 - "I am now off to CTIA Las Vegas (April 1-3, 2008)"- is how I finished my letter last month. It was a good show. I liked it because of its location, its overall value, and the optimism that was apparent in the wireless industry.
The Las Vegas Convention Centre is designed to make your experience as a visitor or exhibitor a good one and I was happy to hear that the location has been secured again for 2009. The consensus was that wireless is poised for growth and profits, which is good news for BC's wireless sector, since the US is our most important foreign market.
Gary Hartwig, CEO of AppLocation, John Davis, Director of Sales at VRB Power Systems and Robert Forget, Director of Wireless Sales at Vecima told me they all felt the trade show was worthwhile.
Here are some photos from CTIA (click on image to view larger version).
April 7 - MoMoVan event with special guests from France and the US. To read more about our panel discussions click here.
April 10 – Met with Ms. Janet Sullivan (Deputy Consul-General at UK Consulate in Vancouver) and Mr. Ashley Prime (Deputy Consul-General and Director of Trade Canada at the UK Consulate in Toronto) to follow up on the GSMA Mobile World Congress and to identify further opportunities for trade, R&D partnerships and investment.
April 14 – We had our Board of Directors meeting where we discussed the performance of our society in the past year and proposed the budget for the year ahead. Good strategy, more members, more revenue, and lower costs were all good news for our directors and stakeholders. We have an aggressive plan for 2008-2009. We'll tell you more at our AGM on Thursday, June 5th at Morgan Creek Golf Course, where you're all invited.
April 18 – Great news. Only two months after my invitation to Jari Tammisto, CEO of MobileMonday Global to bring their Global Summit to Vancouver in 2010 he accepted the invitation and said that "MoMo Vancouver is a strong contender to host the global summit in 2010". Read the full news release here.
April 22 – Contec Innovations, Empower Technologies, E-xact Transactions, GPS Industries, Handi Mobility, Icron Technologies, Verrus Mobile Technologies, and Wavefront are going to attend the BC Canada Tech Summit in Beijing, May 19-24. I would like to thank our partners BCTIA, 2010 BC Olympic Secretariat, and our Canadian Consulate and its Trade Commissionaires for helping us plan this important summit.
April 25 – We value your membership and do everything we can to make WINBC "the best wireless association for YOU". Renewal membership notices went out today in electronic format. The "traditional" package is in the mail, too. Thank you in advance for your support.
April 29 – Because WINBC is a sponsor I was invited to participate at the 23rd Angel Forum in Vancouver. I liked the event. In his opening Bob Chaworth-Musters shared with us some of the key metrics: 75 companies applied, 32 were selected and more than 110 people attended (including 90 plus angel investors from BC, Washington State and elsewhere).
It was encouraging to see eight wireless companies (25% of the total) making the cut, five of which are WINBC members: jWalkr, NOVAX Industries, Brand2hand Media, Waveteq, and Quick Mobile. I hope I convinced two promising start-ups CellMap and Clevest Solutions to join WINBC. I wish all of them good luck in finding the financing they need.
Other initiatives we have worked or continued to work on this month include tidying our relationship and exploring business opportunities with CWTA, Mobile Marketing Association, key wireless clusters in the EU, and potential world class partners from Russia, India, and China.
Also in April we helped Wavefront with the launch of NAVTEQ's GIS/LBS/GPS-rich series of workshops and the innovative Wavefront/Sierra Wireless Developer Program, which promises to be a tremendous success.
This month we decided to save money on conference calling by using one of our member's new wireless services. We will give Lypp - Quick Reliable Conferencing a try, which is offered by our member Gaboogie Canada.
In a true "Peer-To-Peer" fashion I think we should be the first ones to test and adopt new consumer or enterprise products or services offered by our fellow members and give them good, honest feedback. If you like it tell your friends, your family and your clients. Verrus, EQO Communications, Handi Mobility, Quick Mobility, Upside Wireless, WebTech Wireless, Base Technology or Canpages (to name just a few) have mobile services that can save you time, money and make your everyday life better.
If you want to know more about any of the above initiatives or have any suggestions or comments, please email me at michael@winbc.org.
Thank you,
Michael Bidu, Executive Director, WINBC
Reminder: WINBC Membership now due
Keep BC's wireless sector strong...keep yourself involved and informed by renewing your annual membership (April 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009) to WINBC.
>> Renew your membership online.
MoMoVan Alert: Register now for May 5th!
Topic: Mobile Communities, Social Networking & Mobile Culture
We have put together a crack panel of wireless and new media entrepreneurs who know what's hot, what's not and what to do to develop applications for the ever-changing, sometimes chaotic world of mobile culture and social networks.
Vancouver is a hot bed of social networking and mobile culture. This event includes two elevator pitches from CellMaps and EZ Show followed by a presentation of Mobile MUSE 3 and an exciting panel discussion with Dr. David Vogt, Jim Udall, Jeff LaPorte, and Jean Hébert, moderated by Roland Tanglao.
Enjoy free pizza, a complimentary glass of Granville Island beer, and lots of social networking.
Time: Monday, May 5 – 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Granville Island Brewing – 1441 Cartwright Street
 For more information and to register
Wavefront + Sierra Wireless Announce Major Developer Program
Jim Maynard, President of wavefront, announced his organization's first major project – a six-month program with Sierra Wireless to encourage wireless developers to develop new applications for the GPS chip in Sierra Wireless AirCards.
Developers are invited to submit a write-up of their idea. Those chosen will receive a Sierra Wireless Developers Kit and possibly other support from Sierra to turn their idea into a working application. The very best new apps may be selected for inclusion on AirCards and receive widespread distribution through major carriers.
The deadline to submit your idea is May 16, 2008. You can find out more information here: Wavefront/Sierra Wireless Developer Program
Mark your calendars for WINBC's Face_Time,
AGM & Golf Tournament – June 5, 2008
We bring the world to you! WINBC Face_Time events provide opportunities for the local community to network, share knowledge and benefit from valuable face time with global industry leaders. On June 5th, we will have special guests from one of the world's leading wireless technology giants.
This year, we have changed venues from Nokia in Burnaby to Morgan Creek Golf Course in Surrey (thanks to GPS Industries). Network and meet one-on-one with the world's top telecom vendors, participate and stay up-to-date with WINBC's exciting plans at the AGM, then enjoy lunch, entertainment with Nokia's own band, "The Fabulous Ringtones!" (thank you Glenn Roy and band) and golf.
It doesn't get any better than this! There will also be a new product launch by Vancouver-based GPS Industries, Inc (GPSI), "the world's leading provider of WiFi-enabled golf management systems and targeted 'direct to the golfer' media."
The global telecom vendor asked us to keep their name confidential. However, if you read my brief interview with Cliff Singleton below, you will be able to identify if your company should meet with them. If you are interested in participating for one-on-one meetings at Face_Time on June 5th, please contact Michael Bidu at 604-602-5237 or email at: michael@winbc.org.
This upcoming Face_Time came about because of the work of Canadian trade commissioner Cliff Singleton.
Here's a little Q&A we had with Cliff Singleton:
Michael: What is this mission/partnering event about? Who is coming?
Cliff: We have convinced one of the Top 3 telecoms equipment vendors in the world to travel to Canada with three objectives in mind: a) providing access for Canadian equipment and technology vendors and solutions providers to this Tier 1 for inclusion in the company's product portfolio; b) familiarizing the Canadian telecommunications industry about opportunities globally with the Tier 1 and c) raising the profile of the Canadian telecommunications industry within the Tier 1.
Michael: The company visiting us is one of the Top 3 telecoms equipment vendors in the world. What target technologies/WINBC member companies are they interested in on this mission?
Cliff: The Tier 1 is targetting three specific areas. First, they are seeking vendors within the radio access value chain including equipment for the Base Transceiver Station (BTS) such as power amplifiers, filters and remote radio heads along with power modules, antennas and site structures. Second, the company is strongly committed to environmental sustainability in the radio network by building networks with less sites and intelligent services to minimize site visits. This also refers to the use of renewable power sources for remote sites. Third, the Tier 1 seeks to address the needs of affordable voice and data connectivity in New Growth Markets. The company is seeking partners for new business models for local operation in rural, developing markets. Click here for PDF of radio access value chain.
Michael: How were you able to persuade one of the world's leading technology companies to take part in this mission?
Cliff: We have a long standing with this Tier 1 and its precursors, one of which conducted a similar tour to Canada in 2005. Based on the success of that mission, we were able to demonstrate the viability of the mission concept. Let's also not forget that Canada has a strong wireless industry with a good reputation.
Michael: What executive levels did you approach, e.g. CEO, CTO, VP, Director? Who is coming?
Cliff: Initially, the Head of Global Political Dialogues and Initiatives was contacted. We also approached our contacts from the previous mission to investigate interest in repeating the effort. The mission will consist of three to four individuals and will be led by the Head of Strategy and Portfolio Management for the key business unit within the Tier 1.
Michael: How will you measure the success of this mission?
Cliff: We will measure the mission both quantitatively and qualitatively. We will be noting the number of partnering meetings held and interviewing the mission members after the mission on their new perception of Canadian capabilities. Following the mission, questionnaires will be sent to all Canadian vendors granted a partnering meeting to get feedback.
Michael: What do you hope this mission will achieve for Canada? For BC's wireless sector?
Cliff: Access to the Mobile Networks Operators globally is frequently best done through inclusion in the product portfolio of one of the Tier 1 equipment vendors. It is difficult for smaller vendors to gain the attention of MNO's, which are frequently sceptical of the smaller vendors' capabilities. As such, the MNOs tend to rely more on a smaller group of key Tier 1 vendors.
For BC, we also wish to showcase the province as a wireless "pearl" with a high density of wireless capabilities.
Michael: It has been barely two months since the possibility of this mission was raised with you at GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. How were you able to act so quickly?
Cliff: Initial discussions were undertaken with the Tier 1 prior to the Mobile World Congress so that we were able to have a representative from the Tier 1 visit the Canadian pavilion at the show to confirm all of the wonderful things we were saying about Canadian capabilities. I believe the representative came away duly impressed and satisfied that the mission was on solid ground. Furthermore, as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade's strategy for the ICT sector in Europe we are specifically targetting the Tier 1 vendors to demonstrate Canadian capabilities. We also work closely with our regional offices such as the one in Vancouver.
BC-Canada Tech Summit Beijing - May 19 - 24
Our trip to Beijing at the BC-Canada Technology Summit is set. Eight WINBC member companies will be at the pavilion during the week of May 19 to May 24. They will be exhibiting during the ICT/Wireless/New Media day on Wednesday, May 21. They will also be meeting with Chinese companies and government officials interested in their wireless applications.
Again, the eight companies are: E-xact Transactions, Icron Technologies, Contec Innovations, Verrus Mobile Technologies, Wavefront, Handi Mobility, Empower Technologies, and GPS Industries.
A number of other BC companies from other technology sectors will also be there. The world-class exhibition space, meeting rooms and mini-conference centres are being made available to us for free, courtesy of the BC Olympic and Paralympic Secretariat for the 2010 Winter Games (the facilities would normally cost upwards of $15,000 a day).
We thank BCTIA, 2010 BC Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat, and our Canadian Consulate in Bejing for making this summit happen.
News Bite
BC Renaissance Capital Fund
New $90M Capital Fund Good News for BC's Technology Industry
This fund is a significant step forward for the technology industry as it adds to the depth of our current angel and early stage VC financing in BC. It also provides the mechanisms and support to grow our companies so we can better compete in a global market, establish larger anchor companies and continue to grow our industry beyond a broad base of start-ups to an industry of mature, commercially successful companies. Without sufficient capital, tech companies are often forced to seek acquisition, making it difficult for the industry to progress and remain headquartered in the Province.
To view press release, click here.
Upcoming Wireless Events
May 22 – CWTA WiMax Conference: Canada Sets Its Sights
Interop is the leading global technology event, bringing together ICT and business leaders to see all of the latest technologies in action. Visit more than 300 exhibitors, attend 70+ sessions and check out live demonstrations of tomorrow's business solutions. For information please visit CWTA-WiMax.
June 9-13 – Canada @ Interop Tokyo 2008
A variety of Canadian companies have been playing a leading role in the development and deployment of WiMAX technology for several years. Is 2008 the year that ubiquitous high-speed wireless broadband hits its stride in Canada? For information: Interop Tokyo.
June 10-11 – Mobile Marketing Forum
The New York Mobile Marketing Forum will be held at the Marriott Marquis Times Square Hotel. This will be the premier event for mobile marketing in North America. Regardless of your current level of activity or knowledge in mobile marketing, you and your organization will benefit greatly from attending. For more information: Mobile Marketing Forum.
June 16-18 – Canadian Telecom Summit
The Canadian Telecom Summit is Canada's leading industry event, attracting more than 500 of the most influential
people who shape the future direction of telecommunications and information technology in Canada. For 3 full days, The Canadian Telecom Summit delivers thought provoking presentations from the prime movers of the industry from around the globe. For more information: 2008 Canadian Telecom Summit.
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