News Release
For Release
May 18, 2007
Calgary, Alberta — Western Canadian companies
striving to develop wireless products and services got a boost today with
a $1.7-million investment from Canada’s New Government and the Government
of Alberta to the Network for Emerging Wireless Technologies (NEWT).
The funding will enable NEWT to continue providing support to wireless
telecommunications companies in testing and developing pre-commercial
products. Western Economic Diversification Canada’s $1.2 million
contribution will be directed towards updating testing and development
equipment used by NEWT’s industry members to accelerate product
and application development cycles. The $500,000 in funding from Alberta
Advanced Education and Technology will support NEWT’s operational
infrastructure, which includes technical staff and resources that are
made available to NEWT’s members.
“Canada’s New Government is supporting research, development
and commercialization – key drivers that are stimulating economic
diversification in the West,” said Art Hanger, Member of Parliament
for Calgary Northeast, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President
of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental
Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “Our investment
of over $1.2 million will improve the movement of innovative products
into the marketplace while strengthening the wireless technology sector
and stimulating economic growth in Western Canada.”
"Alberta is home to some of the world’s leading companies
in wireless broadband technology, applications and services," said
Doug Horner, Minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology. "NEWT
played an important role in getting us this far, and this funding will
help their organization continue supporting and stimulating the growth
of Alberta’s knowledge economy."
NEWT provides hardware and software design, implementation, and test
support to developers of wireless products and services. With its unique
focus on facilitating commercialization within a technical development
environment, NEWT is a key element of Alberta’s wireless and telecommunications
industry.
"This investment in NEWT recognizes the significance of a global
transformation taking place with the rapid adoption of wireless technologies,"
said TRLabs President and CEO Dr. Roger Pederson. "We need commercialization
organizations like NEWT in order to enhance the ability to capture the
benefits of this exploding industry in the form of economic growth, jobs,
and prosperity."
“We are grateful to both levels of government for their continued
support of NEWT, “ said Duane Sniezek, NEWT’s Chief Operating
Officer. “Our role is an important one – assisting western
Canadian companies with transformation of their wireless technology from
an initial idea straight through to market.”
NEWT is a not-for-profit division of TRLabs, Canada’s largest information
and communications technology applied research consortium. NEWT now comprises
over 55 industrial members and organizations from Canada, the United States,
Finland, Germany, Singapore and China.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Edmonton, Alberta
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Ann Given
Communications Manager
NEWT
Tel: (403) 338-6377
Donna McColl
Assistant Director, Communications
Alberta Advanced Education and Technology
Tel: (780) 422-5400
Chris Fields
Manager, Corporate Development
TRLabs
Tel: (403) 862-4011
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
Western Economic Diversification Canada works in partnership with
the provinces, industry associations and communities to stimulate and
diversify Western Canada’s economy, and represents the interests
of the West in national economic policy.
WD is announcing a $1.2 million investment in Phase III of the Network
for Emerging Wireless Technologies (NEWT). Funding for Phase III will
enable NEWT to continue providing its current suite of wireless product
development support services over a 13-month period. Phase II funding,
announced in 2004, enabled the Network to continue enhancing the commercialization
of wireless devices and applications. The funding was used to upgrade
equipment, and to expand the network’s technology capacity with
the addition of cellular network test capability.
WD’s investment, made through its Western Diversification Program
(WDP), supports the Government of Canada’s commitments to invest
in research, development and technology commercialization; support small
and medium-sized enterprises; and promote a diversified and expanded
business sector.
The underlying objective of the WDP is to create a stronger West
and a stronger Canada. Several guiding principles are used to help assess
how initiatives contribute to this objective, including:
increased economic activity that improves the viability, prosperity,
and standard of living for individuals and communities across Western
Canada.
increased economic research in the areas of community economic
development, leading-edge technologies and entrepreneurship to provide
a sound base for economic development in areas of importance to
Western Canada.
Other elements that are considered when determining the relative
merit of proposals include: the measurable impact on the western Canadian
economy, viability, long-term benefits, and the participation of other
stakeholders.
Alberta Advanced Education and Technology
Alberta Advanced Education and Technology provides leadership and
makes strategic investments in science and technology to help achieve
sustainable long-term prosperity and an excellent quality of life for
Albertans. Technology priorities include expanding research capacity
and scientific excellence, developing, attracting and retaining highly
qualified people, attracting corporate investments, and supporting initiatives
to develop Alberta innovations into competitive products and services
for world markets.
NEWT
NEWT (Network for Emerging Wireless Technologies) is Canada's leading
wireless development centre, providing hardware and software support
to developers of wireless products and services with its lab facilities,
test networks, technical staff, and industry contacts. NEWT members
reduce product development costs, shorten product development time,
increase technical knowledge, and gain competitive advantage through
accelerated creation and adoption of wireless technology.
NEWT was established in Calgary in 2002 with five founding industry
members (HP, IBM, Nortel, Sun, and TELUS), with support from TRLabs,
CRC, Calgary Technologies Inc., Alberta Innovation and Science, and
Western Economic Diversification Canada. NEWT has 75 members (70 industry
members).
