Cell phones. Pagers. Wireless e-mail. Wireless networks at home and work. Everyone is going wireless these days. But wireless communications means much more than that. It means easier and more affordable access to information and service, providing economic and social benefits around the world.

Through their work with government and industry, the Terrestrial Wireless Research Branch of CRC has developed everything from new wireless systems to components and technologies being used today around the world. They are also at the heart of the delivery of broadband to rural and remote areas, as wireless broadband offers an alternative for the delivery of Internet access to these areas.

The Terrestrial Wireless Branch has a number of clients and agreements in place to further wireless communication. They work closely with National Defence as well as Industry Canada and private sector companies to further the development of wireless technology. CRC is also a founding member of the Canada Network of Wireless Centres (CWCnet), which is a network of public wireless centres to support small- and medium-sized enterprises working in the wireless sector.

Recently, CRC has signed a number of international agreements with research partners in places like India and Hong Kong to help further develop wireless technologies. These technologies, which include the MILTON system recently developed at CRC, have the potential to bring Internet access to areas where it was not economically feasible before, both in Canada and abroad. Information on these agreements can be found in the Media Zone on the CRC web site at www.crc.gc.ca.