Calgary’s 5G Discovery Zone - in collaboration with Rogers, Platform Calgary and Calgary Economic Development.

Calgary’s 5G Discovery Zone

Over its two-year run, the 5G Discovery Zone served as a downtown 5G testbed for exploring how 5G connectivity can drive real-world solutions for cities. A collaboration between The City of Calgary, Rogers Communications, Platform Calgary, and Calgary Economic Development, the Zone provided a space to develop, test, and scale technologies that can make cities smarter, safer, and more sustainable.

From testing ideas to solving real-world challenges: Calgary’s 5G Discovery Zone wraps up after two years

Launched in 2024, 5GDZ was Canada’s first downtown 5G-enabled test environment. Created through a collaboration between The City of Calgary, Rogers Communications, Platform Calgary and Calgary Economic Development, the initiative provided entrepreneurs, researchers and technology companies access to Rogers’ 5G network, technical expertise and a real-world urban environment to develop and validate new ideas.

Together, the program helped innovators move from concepts and prototypes to real-world testing and demonstration. “Most people don’t think about the technology behind the services they rely on every day,” says Erin Chrusch, Leader of Business & Local Economy.  “What they notice is when roads are safer, information arrives faster, infrastructure problems are identified earlier or services work more smoothly. The 5G Discovery Zone provided innovators a place to test and refine solutions that can improve everyday experience, while helping position Calgary as a city where new ideas can be turned into real world-world impacts.”

Beyond the technologies themselves, the initiative demonstrated what is possible when government, industry and innovators work together. By creating space to test, learn and collaborate, 5GDZ helped position the city as a place where new ideas can be transformed into practical solutions with meaningful impact.

Calgary 5G Discovery Zone highlights

Calgary 5G Discovery Zone supported local and international innovators in developing, refining, and testing new applications and technologies that leveraged the benefits of 5G networks. The program consisted of three stages: Connect & Test, Themed Challenge (Network API Challenge) and Connected Calgary. Selected applicants gained access to Rogers’ 5G network, testing tools, mentorship, and resources to enhance product development and problem-solving.

Connect & Test

The Connect & Test program opened applications in 2024, inviting companies to submit proposals for independent testing in the 5G Discovery Zone. One of the standout early participants was Sawback Technologies, a Calgary-based company testing its advanced near-surface sensors to help cities detect underground infrastructure issues, such as fluid leaks, environmental contamination or workers fatalities, before they become serious problems. With 5G connectivity, Sawback’s solution enables automatic cloud uploads, faster data processing, and real-time visualization of underground assets.

Themed challenge (Network API challenge)

Launched in April 2025, the 5G Discovery Zone Network API Challenge invited innovators from around the world to develop solutions using Network APIs in transportation, public safety, and climate. The challenge was judged by Don Annett, David Basto and Liselle Rego , and concluded with five finalists. 

Ahmad El Bukhari

Ahmad El Bukhari

PhD Candidate, University of Calgary
Solution: TraffiCore: A real-time traffic management system using network APIs to reduce congestion, improve response times, and support smarter city planning.
Focus Area: Transportation & Mobility 

Henrique Pereira

Henrique Pereira

Cloud Security Analyst
Solution: P3S: A field personnel safety tool that uses network APIs for secure logins, real-time tracking, and efficient team communication.
Focus Area: Public Safety 

HOVR

HOVR

Toronto-based Rideshare Startup
Solution: TOPLink – A rideshare optimization platform that taps into network APIs to cut emissions, forecast demand, and boost transit access.
Focus Area: Transportation & Mobility

iSPARX

iSPARX

Immersive Media Agency (Calgary & New Zealand)
Solution: AR+ visualization platform using Network APIs to deliver real-time immersive environmental data.
Focus Area: Climate Change & Environment

Sharath Mysore Narasimhamurthy

Sharath Mysore Narasimhamurthy

Postdoc Associate in Traffic Engineering, University of Calgary
Solution: Real-time traffic monitoring using location APIs and edge compute for congestion and emissions reduction via CityPulse platform.
Focus Area: Transportation & Mobility

Connected Calgary

The final stage, Connected Calgary, focused on bringing Connect & Test and Network API Challenge ideas closer to everyday use. On May 21, innovators, partners and technology leaders gathered at Platform Calgary for the demonstration of Connected Calgary, the final stage of Calgary’s 5G Discovery Zone. The demonstration brought the journey full circle, showcasing how an idea can evolve into a practical solution ready to support real-world operations.

The spotlight was on SEEDA, a Calgary-based company whose SeeRem platform helps organizations remotely monitor and manage field operations in real time. During the live demonstration, attendees saw how next-generation connectivity can help office teams and field crews stay connected, improve situational awareness, and make faster, more informed decisions.

But the demonstration represented more than a single company or solution. It marked the culmination of a two-year journey of this 5GDZ that helped innovators test, refine and scale technologies designed to solve real-world challenges.

Frequently asked questions

What is Calgary’s 5G Discovery Zone?

Calgary’s 5G Discovery Zone (5GDZ), Canada’s first downtown 5G test environment, is a collaboration between The City of Calgary, Rogers Communications, Platform Calgary, and Calgary Economic Development. Its goal is to create a 5G-enabled test environment in downtown Calgary where innovators can pilot technologies, explore 5G’s capabilities, and develop real-world solutions.

What is Connected Calgary?

Connected Calgary is the newest stage of the 5GDZ, building on the earlier Connect & Test and Themed Challenges (Network API Challenge) stages. It introduces a two-cohort model, with each cohort anchored by an overarching problem statement. Participants can respond through suggested focus areas or propose their own ideas that align with the program theme.Academia, researchers, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and innovators are encouraged to participate in Calgary’s 5G Discovery Zone to explore the potential of 5G networks.

What is the application timeline, and can applicants apply to both cohorts?

  • Cohort 1: Applications open September 2025 and close October 2025. Selected teams will be announced in November 2025 during Platform Innovation Week. Demo Day will be held in February 2026.
  • Cohort 2: Applications open December 2025 and close January 2026. Selected teams begin in March 2026, with Demo Day in May 2026.
  • The review process usually takes about 3-4 weeks. If you are not selected for the first cohort, you are welcome to re-apply for the second cohort.

Who can apply to Connected Calgary, is there a cost, and how many teams will be selected?

  • It is open to local and international academia, researchers, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and innovators (solutions must be TRL 6+).
  • No cost to participate.
  • Cohort 1 will select 3–4 applicants, and Cohort 2 may select 3-6 selected applicants.

What challenge will each cohort address, and what support will applicants receive?

  • Cohort 1 is anchored by an overarching problem statement: How might we leverage data and 5G connectivity to make cities safer, more sustainable, or more responsive?
  • Participants are encouraged to propose solutions in public safety, transportation and mobility, and climate and environment. Other ideas are welcome if they align with the overall theme.
  • Webinars will be offered before each cohort to explain program details, answer questions, and guide applicants through the process. Recordings will also be available.

How can applicants benefit from participation?

Participants will gain:

  • Access to Calgary’s 5G testbed with Rogers connectivity tools (devices, SIMs, and network access)
  • Technical mentorship from Rogers engineers and technical teams
  • Business mentorship and programming support through Platform Calgary (TBD)
  • Access to Calgary Economic Development resources (TBD)
  • Introductions to customers and partners through curated connections and Demo Day
  • Public exposure through Demo Day, media outreach, and partner promotion

Will funding be provided, and who owns the solutions developed?

  • No funding will be provided.
  • All solutions remain the property of the applicants. The City of Calgary and program partners do not claim ownership of any ideas, solution, or technologies developed through the program.

Where can I find the application form and how will applications be evaluated?

  • Applicants can access the Connected Calgary application form through either the City of Calgary’s webpage or Rogers’ webpage. [Insert links]
  • Applications will be assessed by The City of Calgary and its partners on:
    • Alignment with the challenge theme and focus areas
    • Innovation and effective use of 5G
    • Impact for Calgarians and the innovation ecosystem

What happens at Demo Day?

Demo Day is when each cohort showcases their solutions. Teams present to civic leaders, industry partners, and potential funders, gaining recognition, visibility, and future collaboration.

What has the 5G Discovery Zone achieved so far?

The 5G Discovery Zone has completed two successful stages before launching Connected Calgary:

  • Stage 1: Connect & Test (2024) – Invited companies to pilot their technologies in a real-world 5G environment. A highlight was Calgary-based Sawback Technologies, which tested advanced near-surface sensors to detect underground infrastructure risks. With 5G connectivity, their solution enabled automatic cloud uploads, faster data processing, and real-time visualization of underground assets.
  • Stage 2: Network API Challenge (2025) – Launched in April 2025, this international challenge invited innovators to develop solutions using Network APIs in transportation, public safety, and climate. Judged by Don Annett, David Basto, and Liselle Rego, the challenge concluded with five finalists presenting their ideas.

Together, these stages laid the foundation for Connected Calgary, building momentum to support larger, more structured cohorts of innovators.

What makes SeeRem stand out as a finalist?

SeeRem’s solution demonstrates a practical use of 5G technology to support remote worksite monitoring, real‑time data sharing, and safer, more efficient worksite operations. The proposal aligned with the 5GDZ challenge theme and focus areas and showed potential benefits for Calgarians and the local innovation ecosystem. 

How many applicants participated in the last cohort?

Several companies applied to participate in the latest cohort of the Calgary 5G Discovery Zone. After review and evaluation, SeeRem was selected to demonstrate their solution using the 5G network in Calgary.

What will SeeRem demonstrate at the 5G Discovery Zone?

SeeRem will present a live demonstration of its 5G‑enabled worksite management solution at Platform Calgary in May 2026. The demonstration will show how ultra‑fast connectivity can support remote monitoring, real-time communication and safe, more efficient worksite operations for municipalities, construction firms, and energy organizations.

5G Discovery Zone Impact

We’re proud to share that Harrison Amit, CEO of Hovr and a finalist in our April 2025 Network API Challenge, has been featured in Maclean’s as one of Canada’s Top 40 National Makers.

The challenge invited innovators worldwide to design solutions using Network APIs in transportation, public safety, and climate, and concluded with five finalists.

Contacts

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