Office of the Premier
Wavefront, Canada's Vancouver-based wireless centre of excellence for commercialization and research started with a $5-million investment by the B.C. government, has signed an agreement with the Cellular Operators Association of India that will facilitate and accelerate the flow of bilateral wireless business, Premier Christy Clark announced.
India has over 601 million active mobile subscribers generating US$38.2 billion in revenues, and has the highest subscriber growth rate in the world. It is the world's second-largest wireless market in terms of mobile connections. The COAI represents India's major cellular operators, infrastructure and service providers. The two organizations will work together to develop and promote strategic business and partnering opportunities.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for technology and service providers in B.C. - and the rest of Canada - to tap into the world's fastest-growing wireless market that will continue its rapid expansion due to the huge growth in India's middle class," Premier Clark said. "Our government's $5-million investment in Wavefront's Vancouver facilities has already provided early-stage wireless companies with comprehensive research and commercialization support to boost B.C.'s world-class industry. Now Wavefront's agreement with COAI has opened the doors for these startup firms to make connections in India and deals of their own that will benefit the industry in both jurisdictions."
"This agreement with COAI will provide Canadian companies with the insights and introductions required to navigate a complex market and effectively capitalize on the large and growing market opportunities in India," Wavefront CEO and President James Maynard said.
"We are looking forward to working with Wavefront to provide a bridge between the members of our organizations and develop mutually beneficial trade and business opportunities between the two countries," said Rajan S. Mathews, Director General of COAI. He added that the alliance will also help in exploring opportunities in Canada to facilitate operations for Indian companies.
The first opportunities out of this partnership will arise when Wavefront introduces 10 innovative Canadian wireless solution providers to the Indian carriers between Dec. 6 and 9 during the India Telecom 2011 conference in New Delhi.
The Province has also provided Wavefront with more than $365,000 through the BC Innovation Council for the entrepreneurship@Wavefront program. The program, now in its second year, nurtures early-stage B.C. wireless companies from product concept to market entry. Eight startups in the pilot year of the program collectively generated over half a million dollars in external investment, over $350,000 in revenues and 18 new jobs.
Quick facts about B.C.'s digital wireless industry
- With more than 1,300 companies, the digital media and wireless sector employs 22,000 people and generates revenues of $3 billion a year, according to industry estimates.
- British Columbia's digital media education and R&D facilities are among the best in Canada, including Wavefront and the Centre for Digital Media, funded by the Province.
- Vancouver has one of the top video game clusters in the world, with the presence of major publishers, including EA, Nintendo, Sony Studios, THQ, Vivendi/Activision and Microsoft. The EA studio in Vancouver is the largest of its kind in the world.
- B.C.'s 83 interactive gaming companies provide close to 3,900 jobs, paying an average of nearly $69,000 per year, according to a report prepared for the Entertainment Software Association of Canada in May 2011.
- Vancouver is also home to major companies in wireless telecom and technology, including such companies as Telus Mobility and Sierra Wireless.
- Top mobile communications firms include MacDonald Dettwiler, developer of satellite data technologies, and MDI, which specializes in GIS systems.
A backgrounder follows.
Contacts:
Rebecca Scott
Deputy Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 589-9722
Marisa Adair
Communications Director
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 413-7316
Marisa.Adair@gov.bc.ca
Carolyn Heiman
Communications Manager
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 387 2799
BACKGROUNDER
Nov. 17, 2011 Office of the Premier
Wavefront
Cellular Operators Association of India
About Wavefront
Wavefront is the national centre of excellence for wireless commercialization accelerating the growth and success of wireless companies in Canada. Wavefront improves speed-to-market and delivery of mobile applications and wireless technologies by providing emerging companies with a suite of WaveGuide(tm) training, mobile industry advisory services, incubation services, testing resources and market linkages that facilitate commercial engagement with the mobile network and enterprise ecosystem companies around the world. For more information on Wavefront, visit: www.wavefrontac.com
About the Cellular Operators Association of India
COAI was constituted in 1995 as a registered, non-governmental society dedicated to the advancement of communication, particularly modern communication through Cellular Mobile Telephone Services with a vision to establish and sustain a world-class cellular infrastructure and facilitate affordable mobile communication services in India. Keeping the mandate given to it, COAI is the official voice for the Indian Cellular industry and on its behalf it interacts with: the policy maker, the licensor, the regulator, the spectrum management agency.
Contacts:
Rebecca Scott
Deputy Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 589-9722
Marisa Adair
Communications Director
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 413-7316
Marisa.Adair@gov.bc.ca
Carolyn Heiman
Communications Manager
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 387 2799
