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What's Inside
Letter from ED
This month was all about planning our second annual Pacific Northwest Wireless Summit 09 and the first ever Christmas Party for WINBC and MoMoVan community, all in this crazy and confusing environment of economic downturn.
On the one hand I hear about massive layoffs, pressure to cost cuts, less money available for sponsorships from some big name companies. On the other hand I read an article from Telecoms.com based on a recent report from the reliable marketing research firm Ovum (www.ovum.com) that "the North American wireless industry is standing firm against the downturn" with TELUS growing their connections by 10%and Bell by 7% (read more in the article below).
And then Chetan Sharma released his "US Wireless Data Market Update for Q3 08" and you learn that "venture money is the mobile sector experienced a rapid decline," in sharp contrast with positive BC news on T-Net (www.bctechnology.com) about BC and Albertan mobile companies raising capital (Contec Innovations, a long time WINBC member, announced its intention to raise $1.6M and Mobovivo raised $1M).
In this interesting climate we (that is the ED and the WINBC board) decided to focus on our plans and launch a bigger, better, more interesting and more relevant PNWS 09 (January 18-20, 2009) than our first summit in 08. Bigger because 2009 is a two-day conference and this time around we'll have 8 amazing keynote speakers, 26 educational sessions, 5 specialized forums (Leadership, CTO, Investment, Nokia University, and International) and expanded Wireless Innovation Awards. Better because we listened to you and developed a program that fits the different needs of our diverse sector, like the new "Showcase networking" for exhibitors.
More interesting and more relevant because we have invited a more diverse group of people from Canada, US, UK, China and India so we can hear different opinions and have a great debate (Tony Fish from London and Tom Huseby from Seattle will make for informative and entertaining sessions). To add to the quality of our highly interactive event we added "Insight" as a key theme because information and knowledge is key to good decision making.
We produce PNWS (www.pnwsummit.com) so that the world can learn about our innovative BC wireless cluster. The summit is for our WINBC members and for our guests to learn more, to show more, and to network more. I encourage you to register as Speakers, Exhibitors, and Companies looking for strategic investments or venture capital or Delegates today. Save your money by registering before November 30th!
And, don't forget to join us at the WINBC and MoMoVan Christmas Party on Dec. 10th. Santa (I mean Jari Tammisto, the CEO of MobileMonday Global from Helsinki) is coming to town. Register here.
Thank you for reading!
Michael Bidu
Pacific Northwest Wireless Summit (PNWS) 2009
Get involved in what is probably the best wireless event in Canada. It is being held right here in Vancouver January 18-20, 2009.
Sponsors wanted
Don't just attend the conference; be seen. Sponsor today and promote your organization before, during and after the conference.
The Summit offers numerous opportunities to:
- Increase your brand awareness
- Reach new customers
- Build meaningful and profitable relationships
Our expanded program gives you more opportunities than ever to sponsor keynote addresses, speakers, panel sessions, exhibitions, networking events, receptions and parties. There are opportunities to fit every company size and budget.
For more information visit http://www.pnwsummit.com/sponsors.html or contact Michael directly at 604-602-5237.
Speakers wanted
The Call for Speakers is open. We are looking for opinionated, knowledgeable, passionate individuals who are exceptional public speakers to contribute to our panels and educational sessions.
- Share your ideas, your stories and your organization with some of the brightest minds in the industry.
- Engage with the wireless community and build new relationships.
- Gain complimentary access to the entire Summit - a package worth $500.
Register now: http://www.pnwsummit.com/speakers.html
Exhibitors wanted
PNWS 09 is an excellent advertising venue, where you can reach a knowledgeable and qualified audience. Space is extremely limited – 19 exhibit spaces. First come, first served. Register before December 15 and get an additional full conference pass as a bonus.
This is a unique event that:
- Will put your organization in front of potential buyers, 200+ investors, industry analysts, wireless decision makers and media
- Combines demonstration booths with networking events
- Gives you the opportunity to give a 3-minute pitch to all attendees
Register now: http://www.pnwsummit.com/exhibitors.html
Attendees
Get involved in what is probably the best wireless event in Canada.
- Share ideas
- Drive innovation
- Gain insight
- Access capital
- Build relationships
Register before Nov.30th and save $200 on our early-bird pricing.
Register now: http://www.pnwsummit.com/attendees.html
MoMo Global Execs to Join MoMoVan Christmas Party December 10
Jari Tammisto, President and CEO of MobileMonday Global and Lars Cosh-ishii, Founder of MoMo Tokyo are in Vancouver December 10-13 to promote the 2010 MoMo Global Summit and they will be attending the first annual MoMoVan Christmas Party on December 10.
In October 2008, WINBC and its local partners submitted a bid to be the host city for the 2010 MobileMonday Global Summit (MoMo GS), in an effort to form the Pacific Northwest Wireless Summit (PNWS) into a true global event for wireless and mobile new media. The event has never been held in North America and Vancouver is a strong contender due to both the growing strength of the wireless industry in BC and the attention generated by the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 The final announcement will be made at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February 2009. In the meantime, the Christmas celebration will be an opportunity to hear what is going on in MoMo meetings around the world and to showcase our community to some of the influencers in the global industry.
Plus Santa Claus is coming to town. Each registrant gets entered into a draw to win one of our great prizes:
- Grand Prize: One Pass to PNWS 09 valued at $500
- First Prize: $250 towards your one-year WINBC membership
- Second Prize: One gift card from TELUS towards a BlackBerry Storm valued at $200
- Third Prize: One complimentary invitation to PNWS Gala Awards valued at $175
- Other prizes: 2 pints from Granville Island, 2 limited edition Christmas Beer Packs, and more
Hurry! Space is limited. For details and to register visit: www.momovan.com
Canadian Companies Raise Financing
Vancouver based WINBC member Contec Innovations intends to conduct a non-brokered private placement offering to raise gross proceeds of up to C$1,600,000. Their lead product BUZmobTM live mobile services enable mobile operators, media companies and service providers to generate new revenue from dynamic content services that engage mobile audiences worldwide --- on every handset, every network, everywhere.
Partnered with many of the world's leading content providers, the BUZmob mobile publishing platform is provided as a managed service that bridges the gap between Internet-based content and mobile devices. It enables real-time optimal automatic rendering of digital content for any mobile device.
To learn more visit www.contec.ca or www.buzmob.com
Calgary based MoboVivo has raised $1 million from AVAC, a Canadian venture capital firm. The multi-media distribution company delivers educational, entertainment and lifestyle productions to computers, mobile phones, iPods, game platforms, set-top boxes, web sites and social networks, effectively "getting digital video from producer to consumer -- anytime, anywhere," says MoboVivo president Trevor Doerksen. Its current customer base is largely American, with growing market share in the UK, Europe and Australia. In April 2008 they were the number one download for the iPhone.
The investment will be directed towards further developing its technology platform and driving new business on other types of mobile devices. The company is especially interested in promoting its service to mobile phone users. Future developments will give end-users a way to upload high-quality video to mobile phones, effectively creating new social networks around premium content.
Find out more about more at www.mobovivo.com.
North America Wireless Dodges Economic Crisis
The North American wireless industry is standing firm against the downturn and is set to grow in 2009, according to analyst projections this week.
Although North America was the first region to be affected by the economic crisis and has been the hardest hit, wireless operators' results in the third quarter show how mobile services have become indispensable and two year contracts are protecting the sector in the region.
US mobile operators added 3.9 million connections in the third quarter and year on year connections growth was 10%. Canada's wireless operators also saw connections growth, with Rogers' subscriber base growing 8% year on year, Bell Canada growing 7% and Telus growing 10%.
Steven Hartley, senior analyst at Ovum, also notes the significance of the fact that 79% of new connections in the US in the third quarter were postpaid, while Canadian operators reported even higher figures, giving the carriers a little security for 2009.
» Read full article
US Wireless Data Market Update - Q3 2008
By Chetan Sharma
Recession: Nice to meet you.
US Wireless Data Market: I don't know who you are but I won’t mind a bailout package.
The US wireless data market shrugged off the economic doldrums in Q3 2008 and grew 7.3% Q/Q and 37.5% from Q307 to reach $8.8B in data services revenues. The total for the year (for first 9 months) stands at $24.5B which is equal to the revenues generated in 2007 (full year). While the flailing economy has started to hit hard on the wireless data ecosystem especially the infrastructure and handsets segments, consumers haven't really pulled back on mobile data spending, just yet. But will they?
» Read full article
IEEE Announces Mini-Symposium on Satellite Communications
In recent years, satellite designers and service providers have begun to exploit the Ka-band (20/30 GHz) as they seek to provide ever higher data rates and capacities at lower cost. Through the efforts of industry, government and academia, Canada has emerged as a leader in this field.
During this afternoon event, presenters from UBC, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, Norsat International and Orbital Research will review recent progress in Ka-band satellite communications to both LEO and GEO with particular focus on Ka-band propagation studies, systems engineering, and product development.
Date: Friday, January 9, 2009
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM (PST)
Location: MDA, 13800 Commerce Parkway, Richmond
Cost: Free! Pre-registration before 6 Jan 2009 is required, as seating is limited.
» To register and learn more
BC Industry News
TELUS named 2008 Health Company of the Year
Vancouver, B.C. November 21, 2008 - TELUS Health Solutions has been named the 2008 Health Company of the Year by Information Technology Association of Canada.
» More
Leading Device Maker Selects Intrinsyc Software's Destinator for Consumer Smartphone
Vancouver, BC, November 20, 2008 - Intrinsyc Software International today announced the signing of a software license agreement with a leading mobile phone and consumer device manufacturer to deliver turn-by-turn Destinator® navigation software for use on a Windows Mobile consumer Smartphone.
» More
Upcoming Events
January 18-20, 2009 - Pacific Northwest Wireless Summit, Vancouver, BC
Ideas. Innovation. Insight. Investment. This event brings together technology and application innovators, service providers and other companies and stakeholders in the wireless industry from Pacific Northwest, Asia Pacific, Western Europe, and the world. Stayed tuned for information on PNWS 2009 at: PNWS 2009.
February 16-19, 2009 - Mobile World Congress 2009 / Canadian Pavilion Recruitment, Barcelona
MWC 2009 (formerly 3GSM) is the largest wireless telecommunication show in the world and it will be held at FIRA of Barcelona from February 16-19, 2009. For the third time, the Government of Canada will be organizing a Canadian Pavilion at this world-class event. For information: Canada National Pavilion @ MWC 2009.
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