LTE Test-Bed Coming to Canada

Barry Gander

12 years ago

by Barry Gander

Canada is getting a new facility to test broadband-level LTE wireless communications.

The Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC) has brought on the Networked Vehicle Association (NVA) to create a First Responder Test-bed. The LTE Test-Bed is a living innovation lab, showcase and cooperation portal for First Responders’ use of mobile communications.

Barry Gander, chair, Networked Vehicle Association

The expectation is that the Test-Bed will seed the creation of a permanent First Responder Test-Bed in the Kanata area of Ottawa.

This is of critical value to the CPRC, because of a technology trend underlying global development today: Today a First Responder’s vehicle is in a transition phase from an autonomous system to a fully integrated part of a highly connected network which covers all aspects of communication requirements, relevant services, safety, traffic, efficient use of energy and financial transactions. This transition will have a massive impact on First Responders, and how they do their jobs.

The First Responder Test-Bed is a corridor of some 10-15 kilometers in length, running along roadways in the Kanata area of Ottawa.

The Communications Research Centre is a major partner in the project, as are Alcatel-Lucent Canada, the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, nTerop, WeMiP and WiSense, (University of Ottawa). The Test-bed is open for the participation of all vendors, and all First Responder organizations.

According to an executive from the First Responder community, the Test-Bed’s top benefit is that “For the first time in Canadian emergency service history, it will be possible for all emergency services to work with the private sector and each other in developing and testing technologies of the future under real-life conditions.”