February 2007 ISSUE

Industry Initiatives

Wireless City
Markets Solutions

These days Alberta rides the crest of an economic boom, but everyone knows that non-renewable resources can’t carry the province forever. One of the answers, says the director of an industry and government market development initiative, is the advancement of home-grown wireless technology.

“It’s a knowledge-based economy that we have to focus on,” says Richard Belzil, P.Eng., director of the not-for-profit Wireless City. “It’s critical that Alberta look at long-term possibilities — not just for the next two or three years, but the next 20, 30, 50 or more years.”

Wireless City doesn’t develop technology itself. It works directly with companies, however, to build markets at home and abroad. An initiative of an industry organization for wireless and telecom companies called WiTec Alberta, Wireless City develops case studies and publishes a guide to Alberta wireless solutions. It places professionally organized pavilions at technology exhibitions around the world, and it strives to create a wireless culture at home.

This wireless vision is one it shares with the federal and provincial government. Western Economic Diversification Canada is a supporter, joined by the Alberta Government and the two economic development agencies for Edmonton and Calgary — the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation and Calgary Technologies Inc.

In fact late last year, the federal and provincial governments announced a combined investment of nearly $1 million for Phase 2 of the Wireless City initiative.

Mr. Belzil emphasizes that the money goes to good use. This is an operation rich in ideas, not depreciating hard assets. All projects of the Calgary-based organization are executed with in-kind time and equipment from participating companies, and conducted on a not-for-profit, cost-recovery basis. For example, a company pays for its share of a booth space when attending a tradeshow in a Wireless City pavilion.

Wireless City has minimal capital investment and only three staff members. But its dreams are big, nonetheless. They have to be, says Mr. Belzil.

Alberta’s wireless industry simply can’t survive without a view beyond the province. Companies must put aside competitive impulses at home and go head-to-head with the real competition — in Asia and the rest of the world.

“ It’s a brutal game, and it’s very difficult to compete,” says Mr. Belzil. “But there are significant rewards for the winners.”

Although they may be a small piece of the market share, consumers at home play a big role. Wireless City advocates developing a culture of wireless technology here — one that showcases Alberta’s products and the integration of technology into the lives of its people.

Hotspots for wireless Internet use, also called Wi-Fi, are vital. Wireless City promotes their creation and keeps a list of Alberta hotspots on its website.

How about rolling hotspots? In a Wireless City case study, Red Arrow began offering wireless Internet by partnering with Bentek Systems, Wireless Edge Canada and Cypress Solutions.

“This is a practical example that illustrates end-to-end wireless solutions that are not only a showcase for potential customers and investors but are also designed to promote public use,” says Mr. Belzil.

Visit www.wirelesscity.ca
The 2007 Guide to Alberta Wireless Solutions is inserted in this month’s PEGG.