Blog | Area X.O

One of the most advanced communication test infrastructures in the world with many GPS (RTK) systems, Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC), 4G / LTE, WiFi, LoRa and pre-commercial 5G (including mmWave) from Nokia and Ericsson
Band 14, spectrum that’s reserved for first responders; this enables a host of public safety, security, defence and related projects
Technology that enables R&D in communications and advanced networks
Expertise in CAV operations in inclement weather, including systems that pinpoint the location of hidden objects, cybersecurity, interoperability and use of CAV-generated data

The Area X.O operates one of the most advanced communication test infrastructures in the world with numerous GPS systems, 4G/LTE, WiFi, LoRa, TV white Space and authentic pre-commercial 5G (including mmWave) from Nokia and Ericsson and satellite communication systems.

Low-Speed Autonomous Shuttles and other CAVs rely on these communication systems and a multitude of sensors to navigate safely
Runs Band 14, spectrum dedicated to first responders, enabling public safety, security and defence CAV and related tests and projects
Is anchored in the heart of Canada’s Capital, 15 minutes from Parliament Hill, seat of the federal government, with proximity to policymakers and legislators

V2X (vehicle-to-everything) testing, validation and demonstration in a four-season climate with temperatures from -39 to +39 degrees Celsius (-102 to +102 degrees Fahrenheit)
The first integrated test facilities of its kind in North America with GPS (RTK), dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), WiFi, 4G/LTE, 5G telecommunications and networking infrastructure; cybersecurity solutions; and industry-leading data gathering, analysis and cloud capabilities
Unrivalled proximity to policymakers and regulators; 65 federal research labs; 130 embassies, government departments; 1,750 innovative tech companies and five post-secondary institutions
Access to investors looking to invest in new high-tech products and services

Anchored in Ottawa, Canada’s Capital, we:

Deliver services and programs to help innovators, across all sectors and scientific disciplines, seize new opportunities, address grand challenges and create novel technological solutions
Leverage decades of telecom and cybersecurity expertise, combine tech and knowhow from diverse industries and disciplines and help innovators put these capabilities to work to achieve audacious goals
Fuel collaboration and the creation, commercialization, and adoption of breakthrough innovations that benefit our community, economy and environment
Drive advancements in sectors such as mobility, connectivity, smart agriculture, defence, security and public safety, unmanned aerial vehicles, and smart cities
Help innovators capitalize on Ottawa’s advantages as a global tech hub with the highest concentration of tech talent in North America

Access to certified UAV technologists who are trained and authorized to operate drones and conduct a variety of tests and demonstrations
Nokia drones that are fully connected to our private, secure, high capacity mobile broadband network
Testing remains unaffected by congestion in the public network and can be operated manually when needed
Maximum upfitting and customization with drones allow for design, validation, demonstration and testing of cameras, loudspeakers, searchlights, and customizable sensors for smoke, motion, radiation, and much more
Dual camera gimbal with mounted HD video and thermal video cameras, among other features enabling data and image capture
The ability to test performance in a four-season climate ranging from -39 to +39 degrees Celsius (-102 to +102 degrees Fahrenheit)

Test different devices and sensors with numerous control endpoints that generate real-time data and facilitate real-time automated actions and operations
Orchestrate and manage these actions with a unified real-time view into all smart city assets, infrastructure and services
Achieve efficiency and identify revenue opportunities with analytics integration
Facilitate rapid response based on automated workflows across multiple applications
Dramatically reduce the time and cost of launching new smart city services while making optimal use of legacy city assets

Area X.O is proud to support and collaborate with global leaders in defence, public safety and security, including:

Companies such as Provectus Robotics Solutions and Irdeto
Law enforcement, first responders and public safety organizations
Government departments and agencies, including:
- Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
- Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND)
- Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and
- Unmanned Systems Canada

Learn more

Leveraging top tech talent and agricultural expertise, we put technology to work to help you make more data-driven, informed decisions that drive:

Cost and production efficiency
Crop yield and quality
Waste management and environmental sustainability
Overall farm management

Explore how we can help you:

Generate data related to weather, soil, pests, or hydration conditions and help you increase crop yield, quality and profitability while reducing water, fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides
Make more informed decisions, maximize return on investment and boost productivity, performance, and profitability
Accelerate the commercialization and adoption
Connect to global markets and help export solutions around the world

Equipped with connected mobility technologies including C-V2X (Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything), GNSS RTK, Multi Access Edge Computing, Wi-Fi, Cyber Security, LoRa, 4G-LTE and 5G solutions (including mmWave) from Nokia and Ericsson, and satellite communications systems for pre-commercial testing and evaluation purposes
Anchored in a thriving tech cluster with 250 communications technology companies employing more than 21,000 engineers and professionals
Founded in a global tech hub that is home to the top five mobile backhaul equipment market vendors, the top ten optical network hardware vendors and 90% of Canada’s industry-led telecommunications R&D

Ottawa is a global leader developing the future of communication networks. Area X.O works directly with these experts, innovators and firms. We broker introductions, collaborators and projects for the clients we serve.

Right now, we are collaborating with innovators on more cost-effective, efficient, clean and safe modes of transportation and shipping. This work also impacts supporting sectors, from healthcare and insurance to energy, environment, public safety and defence.

We enable innovation in:

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication applications and systems
Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) technologies and systems
Next-generation networks that underpin V2V and V2I innovation and applications
Software, hardware and associated cybersecurity technologies required to integrate these capabilities into autonomous vehicles and municipal infrastructure

It is the first integrated, end-to-end CAV test environment of its kind in North America.

GCXpo 2026: Where Canadian Innovation Meets Opportunity

GCXpo 2026: Where Canadian Innovation Meets Opportunity