Wireless innovations are transforming the way we live and the way we do business. For the last three decades, Ottawa’s wireless community has been at the forefront of the wireless revolution.

Ottawa’s wireless cluster has a depth and diversity that’s second to none. A wide range of established companies provide a rock-solid foundation. RIM, Alcatel-Lucent, Siemens, and Marconi all have operations in Ottawa. Rounding out the mix are scores of emerging companies that are making names for themselves with their wireless and satellite components, systems, software, security and content delivery solutions such as TenXc and Spotwave. Large or small, members of Ottawa’s wireless community are key players in the global marketplace.

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), data transmission, software-defined radio, security, medical applications, personal communication services, wireless applications software, wireless chipsets and broadband wireless systems are just a few examples of the wireless technologies being developed in Ottawa. Our companies look to 3G and beyond.

The Communications Research Centre (CRC), founded in 1969, helped lay the foundation for Ottawa’s wireless community. An institute of Industry Canada, CRC is closing the innovation gaps in Canada’s wireless sector by fostering partnerships, building technical intelligence and supporting small and medium-sized high technology enterprises.

Our wireless industry is represented by the Ottawa Wireless Cluster (OWC), an industry-sponsored network of independent Ottawa-based businesses participating in the wireless ecosystem. Through collaboration with the broader ecosystem of wireless infrastructure companies, investors, educational institutions, government agencies, standards bodies and other technology companies, the OWC helps to develop new business opportunities for Ottawa’s wireless industry.

Company Case Studies and Testimonials – Ottawa Wireless Industry

• Amika Mobile Corp.
• BelAir Networks Inc.
• Bridgewater Systems Corp.
• DragonWave Inc.
• EION Inc.
• Enablence Technologies Inc.
• MapleWorks Technology
• March Networks Corporation
• Research in Motion (RIM)
• Spotwave Wireless
• TenXc Wireless Inc.

Additional Resources

National Capital Institute for Telecommunications (NCIT)
The NCIT (NCIT Inc.) was established in 1999 as an incorporated non-for-profit business to create an enduring institute to undertake state-of-the-art research in the then emerging field of broadband communications.

National Research Council (NRC)’s Institute for Information Technology (IIT)
NRC-IIT is strengthening Canada’s leadership in information and communications technologies by creating and commercializing software and systems technology to help Canada prosper in the knowledge economy.

Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association
The Association represents the industry before governments and various regulatory agencies. While primarily involved with the activities of federal agencies such as the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Industry Canada and Health Canada, the Association is increasingly active at the provincial and municipal levels.

University of Ottawa’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science was formed in 1997 by the merger of the Department of Computer Science and of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The School of EECS is the University of Ottawa’s centre for research and teaching in all areas related to computing, computers and communications.

Directory of Capabilities
Ottawa Wireless Industry
Download the Wireless Capability Guide