Have you ever been at a big event where your mobile phone doesn’t work because there are too many people trying to use the network? Well, the team at the Communications Research Centre (CRC) is all too aware of this problem. That’s why they are working on ways for Making Better Use of Spectrum.
Transcript: Making Better Use of Spectrum
Visual
Narrator: Imagine… a really big event. Biggest you've ever attended. Millions are watching from around the world and you were lucky enough to get a ticket!
Stadium appears, with people in the foreground and a city in the background
Scene changes to a hand holding a ticket
Narrator: You want to share this moment with everyone. How about a video?
View changes to a mobile phone and a finger presses button to send a video
Narrator: But hold on... what's happening with the network?
Signal strength indicator turns orange and then turns into an unhappy emoji
Narrator: Well, that's the thing: Spectrumthe airwaves used for wireless communicationsis a limited resource, and there's not always enough for everyone all at once.
Text: Spectrum
Cell tower appears with people waving their mobile phones in the air towards the tower
Narrator: Like at big sporting events, music festivals or even in busy cities, these airwaves sometimes get filled up, preventing you from using your device.
People waving their mobile phones in the air with crowds and sine waves representing wireless signals in the background
Narrator: The team at Canada's Communications Research Centre are all too aware of this problem.
Text: Make Better Use of Spectrum
CRC researchers look at a screen with a sine wave which changes to a globe surrounded by waves and then fills the screen
Narrator: That's why we're working on ways to Make Better Use of Spectrum.
Text: Make Better Use of Spectrum
Screen changes to a globe surrounded by waves and then fills the screen
Narrator: We want to make sure spectrum is available where and when it is needed.
Image of map of Canada with good wireless coverage
Narrator: This can be done by sharing or by assigning it dynamically.
Text: Sharing
Text: Dynamic Assignment
People looking at two images: one representing sharing and the other dynamic assignment
Narrator: Simple, right?
Hands with thumbs up appear
Narrator: Well… no.
Narrator: The CRC's research uses tools like artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and high performance Cloud computing…
Scene changes to a laptop screen displaying colourful images representing the corresponding text
Text: Artificial Intelligence
Text: Big Data Analytics
Text: Cloud Computing
Narrator: …to predict where and when extra spectrum will be needed… and to figure out how to make it available.
CRC researchers give high five as screen shows map with good mobile coverage
Narrator: Back to our big event. The action has started and you are sharing the excitement with your family across the country and having the time of your life,… all thanks to Making Better Use of Spectrum.
Text: Spectrum
Scene changes back to stadium where user can now send video on a mobile phone
Narrator: The CRC is working to make this a reality – to have spectrum for everyone and everything, anywhere at any time – so that Canadians can have the best wireless experiences in cities, at big events, and for every day life.
Wireless users are getting good mobile coverage – people, a car, an airship and buildings – in front of a city skyline
Narrator: Communications Research Centre, finding what is possible and what works.
CRC Innovation Science and Economic Development logo
Canada Wordmark