November 2004 Newsletter
In This Issue
- Coming Soon: Swordfish!
- We’ve Been Busy
- News & Events
- Wireless Fast Facts
Coming Soon - Swordfish!
Wireless City will soon announce details of a unique technology demonstration project that will invite Bell Mobility subscribers in the Calgary area to participate in a virtual fishing derby in support of the United Way.
Swordfish™ is North America’s first location-based game designed for Java enabled mobile phones that are GPS equipped. The game, developed by Calgary’s KnowledgeWhere Corp. and published by Blister Entertainment, creates virtual schools of “fish” around registered game players with mobile phones. By following instructions sent to their phones, Bell Mobility subscribers use their mobile phones to scan for virtual “fish” in their area, casting-out, reeling-in, and ultimately catching any number of fish.
The fundraising mechanism is two-fold. Each virtual fish caught by game players will carry a designated donation dollar value contributed by Calgary companies involved in sponsoring this special project. Bell Mobility and Blister Entertainment will also donate back to the United Way all the game fees collected from players who pay 15 cents every time they scan for a “fish”. As part of the project, Blister Entertainment is developing an online leader board to post real time catch scores, tally cumulative “weight” (fundraising dollars), list player standings and associated prizes.
The project is scheduled to run December 1-18, 2004 and will profile participating companies, highlight the wireless technology and raise awareness for the Calgary United Way. Along with Blister Entertainment, Bell Mobility is a primary participant, offering the game opportunity to Bell Mobility subscribers and Bell employees in the greater Calgary area. An assisted GPS ready mobile phone will be required to participate such as models Sanyo 8100, Audiovox 8450, Samsung a600 and Samsung a660. Local Calgary celebrities from the media and business community will be invited to participate and play the game during the project launch event taking place in late November.
If proved successful, this innovative fundraising model could be rolled out to other markets as the world’s first location-based fundraising program, bringing advanced technology together with community outreach and support.
We’ve Been Busy
CeBIT 2005 Update
Thanks to the many companies who called to express their interest in participating in a collaborative display at the international CeBIT Expo, March 10-16, 2005 in Hannover, Germany. CeBIT is the largest ICT trade show in the world, with over 500,000 attendees and technology companies from around the world exhibiting their latest innovative products and solutions. Last year, four Calgary based companies attended with great success. This year Calgary Technologies has reserved space for eight Alberta wireless technology companies to share a collaborative, industry themed exhibit located in the show’s Canadian Pavilion. The cost of participation will be in the range of $4,500 - $5,500 per company with space filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Although more than 15 local companies have expressed interest, formal confirmations are required by October 29 to reserve your company’s spot. For more information please contact Allan Wageler at awageler@calgarytechnologies.com or phone (403) 284-6423.
Wireless GPS Device Trial
Wireless City has begun working with the City of Calgary Wastewater Department to test potential applications of a locally developed GPS device that supports the wireless tracking of equipment. This innovative device transmits its current location, and allows for a geo-fence to be built around its current location for unauthorized movement monitoring. This trial will utilize a web-based software application developed by Calgary’s DataTrail Inc. to present the location data on an overview map, in this case a map of the City, showing the current locations of all the equipment. Details will follow but for ongoing project information contact Richard Belzil (403) 284-6406.
WLAN Expansion at Calgary Airport
The Calgary Airport Authority and TELUS recently announced a major wireless voice and data initiative at Calgary International Airport that includes a managed wireless local area network to support private and public Wi-Fi services and applications. Wireless City was on hand at the October 7th launch event that overviewed the expanded wireless data, telephone and radio capabilities that the airport, tenants companies, employees and travelers can now access. The airport and internal clients can access the WLAN built and managed by TELUS Communications Inc. to support applications such as mobile sales, passenger processing, baggage scanning and aircraft maintenance. The public can use TELUS Mobility’s high-speed Wi-Fi Hotspots to access the Internet from the moment they enter the terminal to the time they board their flight.
News & Events
Downtown Showcase Hotspot
Wireless City is pleased to report the City of Calgary has confirmed its interest in continuing to support the downtown showcase Hotspot. Originally built in 2003, this collaborative Wireless City demonstration project has resulted in what is now the 2nd largest Hotspot in Calgary. It was developed in the heart of the city so Calgarians and visitors can try Wi-Fi technology and the wireless Internet experience. The area encompasses four zones including the Atrium of Municipal Building, the W.R. Castell Central Library, the public park at Olympic Plaza and the Stephen Avenue row of coffee shops and restaurants. Original project participants included Wi-LAN Inc., Guest-Tek, Fringe Solutions, Cisco Systems, the Calgary Parking Authority, and the City of Calgary. This area is one of many Hotspots in Calgary; for a list of hotspots visit www.wirelesscity.ca. And who says size doesn’t count? We are pleased to report that the honor of being the largest Hotspot in Calgary is now held by the Calgary Airport Authority and TELUS Mobility (see article above).
Microwave Communication Seminar- November 24th
Alcatel Canada is offering a one-day seminar on the fundamentals of Microwave communication. This seminar takes place Wednesday, November 24th, from 8:00 am-5:00 pm at the Alcatel offices, located at 310-3636 23rd St. NE, Calgary. The seminar is offered free of charge to pre-registered, confirmed attendees on a first-come first-served basis to a capacity of approximately 15 students. This is a technical session aimed at engineers and technicians who want to understand microwave design. The material is non-vendor specific and relates to all aspects of microwave communication ranging from fundamentals such as free space loss, reflections, K factor etc, to designing links with space diversity, frequency diversity and quad diversity. Morning snacks, sandwich-lunch and afternoon snacks are included. Please confirm attendance before November 17th by contacting Terry Pettigrew at terry.pettigrew@alcatel.com or (403) 213-9725.
Wireless Connections Conference - May 2005
It’s not too early to mark your calendars and plan to attend the Wireless Connections conference May 17-18, 2005 in Calgary. Attendees will gain perspective on hot emerging technologies, trends and best business practices. The event includes keynote addresses from some world’s leading wireless executives and a plenary session designed to provide insights and strategies to help attendees understand what is driving the wireless and Internet markets. For more information visit www.wirelessconnections2005.com.
Free Wireless Solutions Newsletter
Greyfriars Consulting Group is offering a free newsletter for those exploring new applications of wireless technology. The newsletter will highlight wireless trends, companies and applications. To subscribe go to www.greyfriars.net/gcg/greyweb.nsf/freenewsletter or send an e-mail to enquiries@greyfriars.net.
Wireless Fast Facts
Did you know the number of Calgary hotspots is increasing at an unprecedented rate? In June of 2003, only five hotspots were listed on the Wireless City website. By spring of 2004 the list had grown to more than 60, an increase of over 1240%
Wireless City is an initiative of WiTec, Alberta’s Wireless and Telecommunications industry and was created to assist small and medium-sized enterprises by showcasing their innovative wireless technologies and practical solutions. Wireless City brings together Calgary’s wireless equipment makers, application designers, telecom service providers and end users to create industry-specific demonstration projects, practical examples that demonstrate complete, end-to-end wireless solutions. Wireless City gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors Western Economic Diversification, Alberta Innovation and Science, Calgary Technologies Inc., TELUS Mobility, Nortel Networks, Bell, and Cisco Systems.
For more information contact:
Richard Belzil, Allan Wageler
Program Director, Wireless City Program Manager, Wireless City
Calgary Technologies Inc. Calgary Technologies Inc.
Tel: (403) 284-6406 Tel: (403) 284-6423
rbelzil@calgarytechnologies.com awageler@calgarytechnologies.com
