Innovation Centre and Tbaytel Partner to Grow Companies with Mobile Library
Thunder Bay, ON, January 23, 2013 - Tbaytel and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre have partnered to accelerate the growth of Thunder Bay and region companies seeking to enter the wireless industry by announcing Thunder Bay and region’s first Mobile Handset Library. The Library will allow Northwestern Ontario firms to perform market research, product development and testing on several different mobile handsets and operating systems while eliminating the high cost of purchasing unlocked phones. This effort to accelerate the growth of wireless companies builds on the mandates of both organizations to help Northwestern Ontario based companies capitalize on the ever growing multi-billion dollar global mobile opportunity.
The agreement between the two organizations will allow companies in the Thunder Bay region benefit from such services as:
- Enable entrepreneurs with exposure to multiple mobile operating systems to evaluate competitors and perform market research to differentiate themselves from the market
- Assist developers conduct critical testing on multiple platforms before launching applications
- Allow Smartphone and tablet accessory manufactures the ability to create products that fit the industry’s most popular devices
- Increase the knowledge and awareness of opportunities mobile represents to all businesses leading to technology adoption that drives productivity gains
“This partnership is a brilliant opportunity for Northwestern Ontario to leverage mobile to create next generation companies, strengthen existing firms, attract investment, retain top talent, and take advantage of a multi-billion dollar burgeoning industry. I strongly believe this collaboration will provide our community with a significant competitive advantage on a global stage.” says Nick Kolobutin of the Innovation Centre.
“This partnership demonstrates how we are realizing our mandate of supporting the growth and commercialization of wireless companies across Northwestern Ontario by connecting them with critical resources, partners, and opportunities as we grow together” said Kevin Burns, VP Strategy & Customer Solutions at Tbaytel.
“As a small business, it is difficult to invest in fast moving technologies such as mobile. This shared resource will provide us with an opportunity that we otherwise would not be able to access and provide us with confidence to move forward in releasing our applications across multiple mobile operating systems.” says John McKenna of Arcori, a Thunder Bay based software development firm.
The initial library officially launches today and has 12 devices, including tablets, available to interested parties. For more information on the mobile handset library and the partnership visit www.nwoinnovation.ca. If interested in donating Smartphone handsets or tablets to add to the library contact Jaquelyn Holm (jaquelyn@nwoinnovation.ca)
About the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre delivers economic development programs and initiatives that increase entrepreneurial momentum, wealth and jobs in the region. Its goal is to make Northwestern Ontario the best place in Canada to start and grow a knowledge-based business. The Innovation Centre’s services include startup incubation and mentorship, acceleration for existing companies, global business attraction and local business retention, targeted sector development, and commercialization. See www.nwoinnovation.ca for more details.
About Tbaytel
For over 110 years, Tbaytel has recognized the importance of evolution and innovation. Tbaytel has grown to become the largest independently owned telecommunications provider in Canada and offers extensive products and services that include faster Data, Voice, Wireless, Internet, Digital TV and Security.
Tbaytel can confidently position itself as having Northern Ontario’s largest 4G Network within a 300,000 sq.km area providing extensive coverage along major highway corridors from just west of Sault Ste. Marie to the Manitoba border and north to Red Lake and Geraldton to the US border.
Tbaytel improves the lives of customers, communities, and regional stakeholders through advanced network capabilities and state-of-the-art telecommunications solutions. Tbaytel enhances the delivery of health care and education throughout the region and helps to advance the economic, business and research agendas of the North.
With over a century of contributing to the quality of life and infrastructure of the North, Tbaytel’s knowledge and understanding of regional markets is unparalleled. As the region’s leading telecommunications provider, Tbaytel is dedicated to delivering advanced, competitively priced telecom solutions that ensure people, businesses and communities of Northern Ontario have varied and reliable points of access to global digital communications.
For more information please contact:
Nick Kolobutin
Commercialization Specialist, Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre
nick@nwoinnovation.ca
(807) 768-6682 x 6677
Barry Streib
Director Corporate Relations, Tbaytel
barry.streib@tbaytel.com
(807) 684-3509