MEMBERS’ CORNER

WINLAB

We’re doing something different this month.  Rather than highlight two members this month, we’re going to give you some inside scoop on the Wireless Lab – straight from the horse’s mouth.  It’s over to you Patrick:

Last week the WINBC board of directors approved the WINLAB Business plan and is now moving into the next phase of the project to secure sponsorship and funding, technology partnerships and personnel.

WINLAB is a very important initiative for the BC wireless community. The WINLAB facility will be integrated into the Bell Innovation Center (currently in the design phase) in Vancouver and will facilitate activities such as technology showcases, wireless workshops, technical and entrepreneurial mentoring, usability and focus group activities as well as a broad range of technical tasks such as mobile application and device testing.  The facility will have state of the art wireless equipment including a mobile messaging and multimedia platform, location based services platform, connectivity to a live production network, a private 3G network and Bell’s development network.

WINLAB’s mission is to build the infrastructure facility and supporting resources to develop and maximize BC wireless industry’s promise for commercial success.  WINLAB’s goal is to accelerate the capability of small and medium sized BC wireless enterprises to grow and become commercially successful through a powerful combination of:

• Acceleration of Technology and Innovation
• Business and Commercial Acceleration
• Strategic wireless projects that will provide direct opportunities for local BC companies and provide a “living lab” environment showcasing real world examples of BC wireless technology in action.

WINBC has identified the challenges confronting BC wireless companies. These obstacles are directly related to the acceleration of technology and innovation, product commercialization, access to international markets and channels, introductions to investment opportunities and access to testing, technical development and product evaluation programs.  Even access to strategic wireless projects and initiatives right here in BC has been a difficult challenge for the local wireless industry.

Bell Canada has committed approximately $10M toward developing the Bell Innovation Centre in Vancouver in support of the 2010 Games. The Wireless Innovation Network (WINBC) is collaborating with Bell Canada, other industry players and public organizations to create WINLAB, a world-class technology facility adjacent to the Bell Innovation Center that will benefit the BC wireless technology community. As a first step, WINBC and Bell Canada have signed an MOU to jointly develop a facility that will accommodate both WINLAB and the Bell Innovation Center. Together the two organizations will provide a broad range of business and technology services that will enhance and expand the local wireless community and bring tremendous economic and social benefits to BC and Canada. This initiative will provide an essential component that is clearly missing in BC’s wireless technology landscape.

The critical need for WINLAB is clear and compelling - local companies require:

• Access to live production systems and 3rd generation wireless data networks for testing, technical development, product evaluation, technical showcase environments for customers
• Business management and operational assistance and services for effective commercialization.
• Access to international markets and access to new sales & distribution channels
• Access to local infrastructure projects like city WiFi and 2010 Olympic opportunities

Importantly, there are no wireless facilities that deliver this kind of solution in British Columbia yet they are available in every other region in Canada to the detriment of the local wireless industry.  From the Telecom Applications Research Alliance LAB (TARA) in Halifax, to the International Institute of Telecommunications (IIT) and Research facility in Montreal, to numerous Wireless Innovation and Development Centers in Ottawa, Toronto and Mississauga to the NEWT (Network for Emerging Wireless Technologies) facilities in Winnipeg, Regina and Edmonton and Calgary, BC is clearly lacking the wireless development infrastructure capability that addresses the escalating need for wireless technology innovation.     

Patrick Payne
WINBC Director

Advertisement

Events

telecom world 2006
Hong Kong, China
Dec 4 - 8, 2006

JETRO
JETRO business matching opportunity between Japanese and North American companies
Jan 8 - 11, 2007

ptc'07
The 29th Pacific Telecom Conference & Exhibition
Jan 14 - 17, 2007

massive
Technology Show
Mar 28, 2007

Mission to Turkey
Telecom Sector Market
Visit to Turkey
Feb 25 - Mar 2, 2007

Return to the Newsletter