By Joaquim P. Menezes -
Notwithstanding all the dire predictions about the "end of the honeymoon phase in the Canadian mobile wireless sector," and the longwinded laments about the many problems afflicting this sector – wireless tech companies in Canada have quite a bit to be proud about.
This was very apparent earlier this week when the results of the first ever Deloitte's Wireless Fast 50 rankings were announced.
The rankings of fastest-growing wireless companies –based on fiscal year revenue growth over five years (2002-2006) – demonstrated Canada's growing strength in the wireless arena.
A total of 13 Canadian companies made this inaugural top 50 ranking, while three Ontario-based companies broke through the top 10. BTI Systems Inc. ranked fourth alongside Tira Wireless Inc. (16,610 per cent growth), and MyThum Interactive Inc. ranked sixth (13,900 per cent growth).
Deloitte Wireless Fast 50 award winners were announced yesterday as part of the CTIA Wireless I.T. and Entertainment 2007 conference in San Francisco.
The Fast 50 rankings measure a company's growth, revenue-wise.
Equally important in my view, though, is a company's legacy in terms of the technology, talent, new business models, and infrastructure.
And here too Canadian companies have quite a bit to be proud of.
Today, with 'BlackBerry' a household word in North America, at least, it's worth recalling the contribution of companies like Research in Motion, which ranked #34 on the Deloitte Wireless Fast 50 list.