MONTREAL — Cloud services and virtualization software provider VMware announced today a partnership with Mitacs, a non-profit research organization that connects industry with Canadian academic institutions, and launched its Digital Equity Grid Innovation initiative (also known as TETRA).
The initiative, which is aligned with VMware’s Automated Life vision, “aims to advance applied research that will play a critical role in paving a sustainable path for 6G,” a press release says.
VMware and Mitacs plan to establish a TETRA research and innovation centre in Montreal, in partnership with the IEEE Future Networks Initiative (FNI). TETRA and FNI will collaborate on solutions to bridge the digital divide, according to the press release.
“The path to 6G requires a fundamental rearchitecting of the Internet to an Open Grid — one that can be accessed from everywhere and brings immersive apps to everyone,” said Kit Colbert, chief technology officer of VMware, in the release.
“This calls for significant advancement of physical and digital systems through broad partnerships and true cross-sector collaboration. Our partnership with Mitacs aims to drive this advancement forward, keeping sustainability and digital equity at the heart of our work,” Colbert said.
In addition to creating a sustainable Open Grid, initial applied research projects at the TETRA centre will focus in the areas of digital equity and clean technology.
“Connecting rural, remote, and Indigenous communities is critical to driving innovation in every part of Canada. Mitacs is thrilled to be collaborating with VMware as part of the Digital Equity Grid Innovation initiative,” said John Hepburn, CEO of Mitacs.
“This initiative will improve connectivity; enable local, national, and international research collaboration; and support the development of an innovation ecosystem that leverages local strengths. We look forward to seeing where this partnership can take us,” Hepburn said.
VMware, Mitacs and IEEE FNI also plan to establish a research and innovation centre in Montreal “where researchers will develop Open Grid infrastructure that bridges technologies from the satellite, wireless, networks and cloud industries,” the press release says.
“This infrastructure platform will serve as the application development platform for IEEE Future Networks Initiative’s Connecting the Unconnected Challenge, which seeks novel solutions for universal and affordable internet access. In addition, researchers will be able to test solutions in real-world environments via Open Grid Alliance Innovation Zones and IEEE FNI testbeds,” the release says.
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