OCE and CENGN team up to deliver next generation communications and networking technologies

TORONTO/OTTAWA, June 24, 2015 /CNW/ - In a world dependent on connectivity for everything from life-saving medical procedures to financial transactions to streaming the latest movies and TV shows, developing technologies that can handle the exchange of vast quantities of information at great speeds is more important than ever before.

A new partnership between Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and Canada's Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN) aims to address this pressing need for more robust networks by accelerating the commercialization of cutting-edge Ontario-based communications technology research.

"OCE has a long and proud history of working with the information and communications technology sector to help lead the way on networking innovations," says Dr. Tom Corr, OCE's President and CEO. "Made-in-Ontario digital communications technologies are used around the world and OCE is pleased to be working with CENGN to enhance and expand that work."

OCE and CENGN will support up to 10 projects with $2 million in funding coming from both organizations as well as matching industry contributions. The projects will be focused in a number of key areas including; SDN and NFV, networking, internet of things (IoT), the cloud and security.

"Through collaboration, our innovation partners are addressing global challenges while helping Ontario businesses succeed and create jobs," said Reza Moridi, Ontario's Minister of Research and Innovation and Minister of Training Colleges and Universities. "By connecting small- and medium-sized businesses with larger companies, academic resources and our world-leading researchers, this collaborative program will make Ontario more innovative, productive and competitive."

"Ensuring that Ontario post-secondary institutions are working on commercially-relevant research, and producing a talent pool with the right skillsets, are key to Canada maintaining a leadership role in next generation networks," says Ritch Dusome, President and CEO of CENGN. "This partnership with OCE will provide CENGN and our industry members with a seamless way to interact with, develop, and train Ontario's entrepreneurs and post-secondary students."

"Our Government is investing in academic and business partnerships that move ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace," said Minister of State for Science and Technology Ed Holder. "As a new Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR), it is great to see CENGN leveraging new partnerships to ensure we have a talent pool to support our entrepreneurs and create high-quality jobs and economic growth in Ontario and Canada."

For more information on this initiative, visit www.cengn.ca

About Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc.

Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) drives the commercialization of cutting-edge research across key market sectors to build the economy of tomorrow and secure Ontario's global competitiveness. In doing this, OCE fosters the training and development of the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs and is a key partner with Ontario's industry, universities, colleges, research hospitals, investors and government ministries. A champion of leading-edge technologies, best practices and research, OCE invests in sectors such as advanced health, information and communications technology, digital media, advanced materials and manufacturing, agri-food, aerospace, transportation, energy, and the environment including water and mining. OCE is a key partner in delivering Ontario's Innovation Agenda as a member of the province's Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs (ONE). Funded by the Government of Ontario, the ONE is made up of regional and sector-focused organizations and helps Ontario-based entrepreneurs and industry rapidly grow their company and create jobs. For more information visit www.onebusiness.ca

About CENGN

CENGN, Canada's Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks, is a consortium of industry, academic and research leaders dedicated to accelerating the commercialization of next generation communications solutions. CENGN founding members include; Alcatel-Lucent, Allstream, BTI Systems, Cisco, EWA Canada, EXFO, Invest Ottawa, JDSU, Juniper, Mistral Ventures, Rogers and Telus.  CENGN is an independent and internationally recognized testing center employing interoperability between a multiple of software and hardware products.  CENGN's state of the art physical and virtual multi-vendor, test, certification and validation platform provides a unique environment to commercialize advanced products, applications and services.  For more information www.cengn.ca

SOURCE Ontario Centres of Excellence Inc.

Related Links

http://www.oce-ontario.org/