Canadian Wireless Firms Worth Watching

As part of a regular series on innovative IT companies in various sectors, IDC Canada Analyst Krista Collins has just named 10 Canadian-based wireless companies that are worth watching.

1. BelAir Networks, Ottawa - Makes mobile wireless broadband mesh network solutions.
2. CellWand Communications, Toronto - Application for people wanting a taxi that detects a wireless caller’s location and finds the nearest cab.
3. ComVu Media, Vancouver - PocketCaster software lets people stream video from their handsets directly to websites.
4. GEOTrac International, Calgary - A GPS tracking and communications solution for the oil and gas industry.
5. In Motion Technology, New Westminister, BC - onBoard Mobile Gateway lets public safety vehicles stay connected to multiple wireless local area networks.
6. LIPSO Systems, Montreal - Delivery platform for delivering a variety messages to handsets from news events to bar codes.
7. Rove Mobile, Ottawa - Mobile Admin application lets IT and network managers run their infrastructures from a variety of handsets.
8. Spira Data, Calgary - Application lets remote workers enter field tickets on portable devices even if they’re offline
9. Verrus Mobile, Vancouver - Pay-by-phone systems used by municipal parking systems.
10. Wallace Wireless, Toronto - Wireless emergency response systems for enterprise workers.

While there is no shortage of wireless companies approaching marketing companies with ways to push messages out to mass audiences, a few of these companies are taking a different approach. LIPSO is targeting the airline industry and Air Canada has tested its application for sending its passengers a 2-D bar code to handhelds which can be used to speed check-in. At least one US television station has bought ComVu’s PocketCaster for its news reporters so they can send immediate video from an incident while the heavy portable satellite transmitter is being set up. And the BC Ambulance Authority has used In Motion’s gateway to help cut dispatch time to 10 seconds from 45 seconds.