Rogers partners with Microsoft to drive development of made-in-Canada 5G applications

5G technology is powering a new generation of apps for consumers and businesses worldwide. Developers are tapping into 5G’s ultra-low latency, faster speeds and increased capacity to create new apps that will provide enhanced value and new customer experiences.

Rogers will now be teaming with Microsoft to be part of this evolution.

Today at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Rogers joined Microsoft in announcing an exclusive Canadian partnership for the private preview of Azure Programmable Connectivity, a solution for developers to build 5G network-aware applications.

“Rogers’ longstanding partnership with Microsoft has resulted in a number of industry-first solutions for Canadian businesses and consumers and this latest collaboration will open many new doors,” said Ron McKenzie, Chief Technology and Information Officer, Rogers Communications. “Together we are empowering Canadian developers to innovate and shape the future of 5G applications, all powered by Rogers’ national 5G network, the largest in the country.” 

Through the Azure Programmable Connectivity platform, select Canadian developers will gain secure access to a location-based API on Rogers’ national 5G network, so they can build applications that will locate their devices anytime, anywhere. Rogers worked with Canadian IoT innovator CloudHawk to develop this API that will give developers unique secure, scalable, real-time capabilities to build applications that will help transform industries.

“At Microsoft, we are working with telecom leaders like Rogers to unlock new opportunities with cloud, automation and AI that will improve connectivity for Canadians,” said Chris Barry, President, Microsoft Canada. “Today’s announcement, which builds on our significant partnership with Rogers, will put modern connected apps even closer to the problems we need to solve.”

This partnership builds on Rogers ongoing work to foster a made-in-Canada 5G ecosystem, including our 5G research partnerships with the University of British Columbia and the University of Waterloo, and is supported by Canada’s largest 5G wireless network, which now reaches over 1,900 communities.

Developers can submit an application for the Azure Programmable Connectivity private preview here.