Rogers and Wavefront open doors to the Rogers Wireless Innovation Centre

Interactive technology showcase to accelerate development and adoption of wireless Machine-to-Machine innovation in Canada

VANCOUVER, Sept. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications and Wavefront today open the doors to a new Rogers Wireless Innovation Centre in Vancouver. Located within Wavefront's national centre of excellence for wireless commercialization, the Rogers Wireless Innovation Centre is a space where business customers and developers can experience first-hand the latest in machine-to-machine (M2M) technology and enterprise mobility applications.

"Rogers is passionate about fostering growth in M2M and strengthening the wireless developer ecosystem in Canada through simplifying the development and go-to-market journey," said Mansell Nelson, Vice-President, Advanced Business Solutions, Rogers Communications. "We are thrilled to be opening our latest innovation centre alongside Wavefront. Together, we can support current and emerging developers to get to market faster with innovative applications for connected devices, as well as educate Canadian companies about the benefits of M2M technology."

The Rogers Wireless Innovation Centre showcases some of the most innovative and widely adopted M2M solutions in Canada today. Interactive demos in the centre provide hands-on access to best-in-class solutions, including wireless asset tracking, virtual network back-up systems (critical network access), connected health solutions and digital signage - the next wave of M2M innovation on LTE networks.  Additional solutions will be added to the centre as they are ready.

"Connecting wireless businesses in BC with leading M2M solutions at the Rogers Wireless Innovation Centre allows us to further accelerate innovation and drive industry growth," said James Maynard, CEO, Wavefront. "Rogers is an M2M industry leader and we're delighted to partner to support Canadian application developers and to advance the wireless industry in Canada overall."

Today's announcement builds on Rogers previous Wireless Innovation Centre in Montreal and there are plans to expand the initiative to Toronto. Over the past 15 years, Rogers has enabled hundreds of thousands of M2M connections in Canada. As one of the only Canadian providers of access to global standards for M2M through the strength of its GPRS/EDGE/HSPA network technologies, Rogers provides the tools and platforms to enable fast delivery of next-generation connected devices across various industries and market segments.

Currently, Rogers provides wireless data connectivity to more than 150 M2M solution providers in transportation, retail, healthcare, consumer electronics and oil & gas. Rogers has also joined forces with a global M2M alliance of seven operators worldwide to collaborate on the potential of speeding delivery of new connected products and services and of developing and growing M2M business through the development of a global SIM and centralized management console powered by Jasper Wireless. In addition, Rogers Communications and SAP AG recently announced plans to develop and manage the deployment of newly packaged enterprise mobile applications which leverage the SAP mobile platform. A first between SAP and a Canadian wireless carrier, the offering will simplify the way organizations mobilize their workforces by helping employees gain real-time access to enterprise mobile applications that traditionally sit on desktop computers on tablets and smartphones.

"As Canadian businesses become increasingly mobile and dependent on their smartphones and tablets, it opens up a world of opportunities for application developers," said Nelson. "Showcasing them in our Wireless Innovation Centres is an ideal away to offer them exposure that will benefit us all."

For more information on advanced business solutions  and M2M solutions from Rogers, visit www.rogersm2mbusiness.com.

About Rogers

Rogers is a diversified public Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high speed internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com.

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™ 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. Visit www.wavefrontac.com.

SOURCE: Rogers Communications Inc.