Technology

All-island wireless innovation network launched

03.02.2010
WirelessLAB, Ireland’s first all-island wireless innovation network, has been formally launched at University College Dublin’s NovaUCD centre.

This new network brings together Irish companies and institutes in the wireless tech sector with notable members including Alcatel-Lucent, BiancaMed, DecaWave, Ericsson, FMG Electronics, Socowave, Taoglas, The Institute for Micro and Wireless Systems at NUI Maynooth and The Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) at Queen’s University Belfast.

Objectives for WirelessLAB over the next five years will focus on doubling employment in this sector and linking with international bodies within the same sector.

Dr David Cleevely, chairman of renowned UK wireless cluster Cambridge Wireless and guest speaker at the formal launch, said: “We are delighted to form an alliance with a like-minded technology community in Ireland. It opens up opportunities to promote an open-innovation environment in Britain and Ireland, strengthening our ability to compete in a global market.”

Brains behind WirelessLAB
The main instigator of WirelessLAB (which will be housed at NovaUCD) and co-founder of Socowave, Joe Moore, said: “Underpinning Ireland’s ability to compete in the expanding global wireless market is its range of existing technology companies and the quality of the designers and engineers graduating from Irish universities.

“However, we need to expand this talent pool to support the establishment of a centre of excellence that competes globally. I am excited about our formal links with the highly successful wireless cluster, Cambridge Wireless, which offers WirelessLAB an instant international dimension.”

From the outset, WirelessLAB is establishing special interest groups (SIGs) to focus on specific areas of wireless technology. The first two SIG topics announced were Green Wireless Networks and Body Centric Communications.

There is the option of full, start-up and associate levels of WirelessLAB membership fees on a sliding scale, according to company headcount.

Photo: At the launch of WirelessLAB at NovaUCD were Dr David Cleevely, chairman, Cambridge Wireless, and Joe Moore, founder of Socowave and chairman, WirelessLAB