Bell Canada recently announced the launch of 'Advanced Messaging', the country's first integrated Rich Communications Services (RCS) messaging experience. Available first on Samsung's latest-generation smartphones, Bell Advanced Messaging offers a suite of mobile messaging features previously available through specialized third-party applications.

Bell, Canada's largest communications company, announced it will launch an LTE-M (Long Term Evolution, category M1) network to support the rapidly increasing use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices on low-power, wide-area networks (LPWANs) in Canada.

Smartphone vendors Blackberry have officially unveiled a state-of-the-art autonomous vehicle innovation center. The fabulous new faculty will be housed within its QNX facility which is located in Ottawa, Canada. The ultimate purpose and vision for the center is to develop production-ready software aimed at accelerating the adoption of connected and self-driving vehicles.

Experts have suggested that Canada looks set to join the US, Europe and Japan in the race to develop, deliver and deploy driverless technology. The claim was made following the announcement by Canadian automotive parts firm Magna International that they have developed its own autonomous technology.

Canada is set to introduce driverless trucks to its transportation fleet despite the imminent threat it poses to many jobs in the country. 2017 was a year in which the self-driving electric truck industry made huge advancement in autonomous technologies and has paved the way for the driverless trucks to be deployed on Canadian roads by 2019.

Canadian telco TELUS and Nuage Networks from Nokia have joined forces to launch TELUS Network as a Service (NaaS), a new software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) solution that enables businesses to virtually build, manage and cloud-optimize their networks quickly, easily and cost-effectively through a flexible self-serve platform.

Toronto has launched an open data portal, one of the key outcomes from the Canadian city's open data master plan and roadmap.

The Canadian government has once again reiterated its commitment to the smart city movement by officially launching a new $50m 'Smart City Challenge'. The innovative project has been specifically designed to encourage communities nationwide in the country to leverage new technology.

Canada's government has taken aim at the tax advantages enjoyed by ride-sharing platforms over traditional taxis in its latest national budget which was unveiled by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau's liberal government indicated in its budget statement that it plans to amend Canada's Excise Tax Act to redefine ride-sharing firms as taxi companies. This redefinition would force them to collect the goods and services tax (GST) on every ride provided, just as taxi operators are required to do.

The development of a new 'smart community' in Canada labelled one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in the country is underway. REZ Real Estate officially confirmed that the construction of District Union, a project worth $900m has begun and signaling the emergence of a 'new smart, organic community' in the home of the Maple Leaf.

In a significant move to improve infrastructure and address real-world challenges, particularly in water distribution systems, Fort Myers plans to leverage artificial intelligence (AI).

A plan by US technology colossus Google to construct a 'smart city' on Toronto's waterfront has sparked row, with many locals expressing their frustration at the lack of transparency in relation to the project. A few months ago, Google's Sidewalk Labs announced intentions to construct a 'smart city' on the Canadian city's famous waterfront.

The Canadian government have revealed its plans to embrace the 'innovation agenda' which it has touted for the last number of years, by inviting cities from all over Canada to come together in order to develop a 'Smart Cities Plan' together.

Tech heavyweights like Google, Facebook and Microsoft have invested in AI research and development in Canada and most recently, Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson announced the launch of its “global artificial intelligence accelerator” in Montreal. The specialized lab will focus on “using AI and automation technologies to create data-driven, intelligent products and services” - work that will specifically impact 5G networks, the company said.

Electronics conglomerate Panasonic has claimed its 'smart city' platform will end traffic congestion in Colorado. Panasonic officially announced that it had entered into a collaboration agreement with Transit-Screen, which is a manufacturer of real-time displays.

Brian Beamish, Ontario’s privacy commissioner calls for the city to modernize its privacy laws to address the risks that are posed by smart city tech.

The Middle East's first operational driverless bus was launched in Ajman, operating on a three-kilometer radius within Corniche and equipped with high-performing sensors and 14 cameras that can detect pedestrian crossings and traffic signals.

The region’s first truly cognitive city OXAGON is the next big project on NEOM’s master plan after the 170 kilometer ‘Line’ project.

South Korean multinational conglomerate Samsung has announced its intentions to open three new AI research centres. It officially announced its expansion plans via a statement - and disclosed that the new AI research facilities will be opened in the UK, Canada and Russia to add to the AI centres it already has in South Korea and the United States.

Toronto has launched an on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging station pilot in cooperation with the electric utility Toronto Hydro.