The Future of Research A Personal Canadian View

The Future of Research A Personal Canadian View Dr Gerry Turcotte –Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI) –Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) Canada

Concept to Commercialization OCRI tr dus In s torie ora s Lab sitie t er en Univ rnm y e Gov CRC rts effo NCE Market Distant Ideas

Canada • Large Northern Country • Small population (32 million) • High standard of living

Our Image But the Reality Is Broadband Deployment

Canada has become an e-Society • • • 100% of schools and libraries connected by 1999 • CA*net 4: the world’s first national optical research and education network • • • 64% Households (HIUS 2004) & 75% SMEs use the Internet (CFIB 2003) Over 500, 000 refurbished computers to schools Median student-to-computer ratio is 1 to 5 (Statistics Canada, 2003/04) Connected 12, 000 volunteer organizations to the Internet Established 8, 800 Internet access sites Among lowest communications costs of OECD countries (OECD, 2003) # 1 in Government Online (GOL) (Accenture 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) Citizens, businesses and governments are going online Broadband Deployment

Ottawa - seat of National Government

Ottawa: Key North American Technology Center Regional Population: 1. 2 million 4, 662 sq. miles (12, 074 sq. kilometers) Within a 2 hour flight of population over 160 million Raleigh-Durham

The Speaker • Recognized as one of Ottawa’s “Technology All Stars” in transforming Ottawa from Government town to a technology centre

The Seeds 1848 - University of Ottawa 1916 - National Research Council 1942 - Carleton University 1948 - Computing Devices, First Spin-offs 1950 - Defence Labs 1958 - Northern Electric (BNR) 1969 - Communications Research Centre

In the Beginning …. • 1983 - Business leaders, Academics (Presidents of two Universities and the local College) and the top regional politician evolved a plan to create a new agency to: – Build stronger linkages between the academics (universities/college) and technology companies to: • To get increased academic focus on interesting industry issues • leverage resources

The OCRI structure • • Federally incorporated/locally controlled Membership funded Small staff Board of Directors

1984 • Principles – Honest broker – Flexible – Attitude – Responsive – Create an environment to access $

Networking Schema President’s Club Technology Executive Breakfast Organization C Organization A Organization B

Networking • • • Research Forums Conferences Technology Executive Breakfasts Marketing Forums Specialists’ Fora General Public Relations “Results NOT Control”

Research Expansion • OCRI spearheaded proposal to Granting Council (NSERC) for Canadian Microelectronics Centre Phase 2 – NRC and CRC join OCRI • No funding for program was approved • OCRI responded by creating the Focussed Ion Beam program using members resources

Industrial Research Chairs • Locally proposed • Funds committed from Partners including OCRI • Competed in NSERC Program • 10 Chairs created at the Universities

Opportunity - Role - Result

Broadband etc • First Regional Broadband Network (OCRInet) created • Joined the Canarie Network (Fourth Pillar organization) • Supported Life Sciences development • Entrepreneurship Centre • Regional Cluster strategy

Education Reach • Met with Ottawa Carleton Learning Foundation - Primary/Secondary schools – University/college feeder system • Suggested and implemented a joint strategy • Eventually merged resources – kindergarden to Ph. D

Program Coherence Professional Development Research Education & HR Sm@rt Capital OCRI Programs External Marketing Venture Capital Cluster Outreach Entrepreurship Centre

Advanced Technology Employment

Technology Companies in Ottawa

Ottawa Venture Capital Investment

Communications Research Centre

CRC Mission • To be the Federal Government’s Centre of Excellence for communications R&D, ensuring an independent source of advice for public policy purposes • To help identify and close the innovations gaps in Canada’s communications sector by: – engaging in industrial partnerships – building technical intelligence – supporting small and medium size high technology enterprises

CRC Snap Shot • Agency of Industry Canada • Separate Board of Directors – Private and Public Sector Members • Small Lab - 220 Researchers • Best Intellectual Property Record of all Federal Labs in North America

CRC U. S. Agencies Canadian Agencies

Partnership

Core Competencies • • • Wireless Systems Communications Networks Radio Fundamentals Interactive Multimedia Photonics 29

Strategic Research Priorities (2004 -2007) Strategic Goals: Strategic Priorities: - Broadband Access - Innovation Leadership - Client Support lic p Ap (Core competencies) ns io at Defence Communications Clients N an etw d ork Pu S bl ec ic ur Sa ity fe ty Br o A adb cc a es nd s Innovation Leadership d an ce et en rn g te er In onv C Radio Spectrum - Internet and Convergence - Network Security and Public Safety - Defence Communications - Applications

Technology “Spectrum” • Does Basic Research - Spectrum • Develops Technology - example Milton – Advancing Commercialization with India • Transfers technology • Spins off Companies – Innovative Fibres (Alcatel) • Protects Intellectual Property – Bragg Fibre gratings (Corning/

Sky. Wave Mobile Communications Inc. From Startup to Wireless Global Service Provider. . . Peter Rossiter Chief Technology Officer & Co-Founder www. skywave. com

Early days at Sky. Wave – 4 Co-founders - all engineers – Lots of ideas, but • Little money • No premises • Skill gaps ( antenna design, pcb layout, mechanical, graphics etc) • Credibility concerns • 2 weeks transition period – Knew CRC from previous working experience

Innovation Centre - Benefits – Access to CRC technology, research & test facilities, – CRC/NRC/CSA support programs, – Reasonable rent & flexible occupancy, – Existing e-mail & internet, – Secure premises, – Tremendous credibility with customers and potential investors

Sky. Wave Today. . . • • Leader satellite short messaging services Inmarsat “D+” Standards Global coverage with 4 mobile satellites Terminals and network Founded 1997, 31 staff Over 45, 000 terminals delivered Financing $3 M in 1999 & $19. 3 M in 2002

“Looking Forward” • Principles are permanent - tactics/strategies change • “Dangerous to drive forward using your rear view mirror IF the road changes” • The Internet changes everything What are the rules going forward?

“Looking Forward” • Technology centres are shifting – Capability still matters – Taiwan, India, Israel • Partnership agreements are king – Dell’s experience – Service industries – Deal makers are required