Channeling the Flow:
BTI Photonic Systems

Like nothing else before it, the broadband universe flashes outwards at the speed of light. A surge of digital technologies floods the optical bandwidth – driving storms of data across every media: high-speed Internet, video on demand, HDTV, movie streaming, peer to peer networks, wireless networks. User demand for high-bandwidth services skyrockets with no end in sight. All in the space of a single optic fiber no wider than a human hair.

There comes a point where even optic systems hit the limit. Where networks stretch to the breaking point. Where in a nanosecond, critical infrastructures can crash and burn.

Server no longer available.

One company stands at the gates – ideally positioned to turn the tide. BTI Photonic possesses the key optical systems technology to expand the capacity of virtually any broadband network or service far beyond current limits. All without any changes to existing infrastructures.

BTI’s brilliant solution made the leap from research to realization with a boost of ideas, incentive, and support from the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE).

BTI Photonic: The Netstender Platform The BTI Netstender solution is the core technology driving an extensive suite of integrated hardware and software system solutions. Essentially, Netstender increases the speed, capacity and reach of a network by optimizing the overall quality of connectivity. Cost-effective and easy to implement, Netstender enables carriers to increase bandwidth on existing fiber networks without having to lay more fiber. Netstender improves the quality of television, telephone, and Internet and wireless networks – enabling more data/content to be transmitted at a faster rate. Netstender allows carriers to accommodate whatever the future may bring in the next generation of broadband digital transmissions.

Outside the Box.

When physicist, Dr. Vincent So, first called OCE’s Centre for Photonics, he already had the vision for a photonic solution to increase network capacity. But no way to make it happen. Convinced that he needed a serious outlay of capital, the doctor met with the OCE business development team to set goals.

They determined that Dr. So needed funds to create a market readiness plan – before developing an actual application. The business developers costed the first phase – which turned out to be far less than the Dr. So first imagined. They encouraged him to privately raise the funds to maintain control over his idea. And he successfully solicited friends and family.

The market readiness plan now complete, the project entered the next phase: building the prototype. This ramped up the total investment required but again, OCE worked outside the box to make it affordable. Dr. So offered to pay the salaries of the research team to help create the prototype. OCE countered with an offer to cover his overhead costs.

So Far. So Good.

Now with a research team, equipment and a laboratory, Dr. So quickly advanced to concept testing and finally to product development. All on what investors might consider a shoestring budget.

Everything hinged upon building a successful prototype of his optical component. Dr. So’s first-generation solution addressed the critical gap between optical and electronic technologies. He created an interface capable of converting a digital fiber optic signal into an electronic signal. Once that signal was converted, it could power any kind of electronic application like a television, radio or telephone. He also investigated technologies to expand the fiber optic signal before it reached the end customer.

The prototype attracted a whirlwind of interest – which ultimately translated into a hefty infusion of investment capital. This led to the first iteration of the Ottawa-based company, BTI Photonic Systems Inc. Seeking to take it even further, Dr. So later acquired additional financing, deferred control of the business side of things, and took on the role of Chief Technical Officer.

Dr. So’s idea is being spearheaded in the marketplace by new President and CEO, Lance Laking, who is fully aware of OCE’s contribution: “OCE played an embryonic role to plant a kernel of technical and lab scientific support and move things along with a moderate amount of initial seed funding.”

Stripping Down. Taking Off.

Within a year, everything changed. But not for the better. Like so many other photonic companies in 2001, BTI was forced to react to the market downturn. They made a crucial decision to get out of selling components and into building systems. Lance Laking recalls: “We took the raw science and put systems level integration around it. From that point on, this is where we’ve concentrated our development effort.”

This one masterstroke precipitated “a major revolution for the company”. Now BTI could sell systems directly to their end customers: telecom carriers, network operators and cable companies. And BTI could now offer a complete systems and software solution to increase bandwidth and capacity on existing fiber networks without having to lay more fiber.

Their subsequent growth has been nothing short of phenomenal. Since that initial support phase from OCE, BTI Photonic has secured major venture capital investment to build on its momentum. They have grown from 25 employees in 2000 to a high-growth enterprise with over 70 staff at their Ottawa headquarters and sales offices at key points around the globe.

Fast Company.

Last year marked a new high point as BTI were named to Deloitte’s prestigious Technology Fast 50, the annual program to recognize excellence, innovation and the fastest growing tech companies in Canada. Mr. Laking was thrilled for BTI to be singled out for “providing one of the most relevant and cost-effective real-world optical networking solutions on the market today.”

With the demand for new media rich services only expected to soar, BTI Photonic is clearly positioned at the forefront. Now secure in their success, BTI is giving back to the research community as a corporate member to new initiatives occurring at various Ontario and Quebec universities. And OCE remains a strong ally for BTI in the search for yet more opportunities – dialed into the expanding network where next happens.