Lance Laking, president and CEO of BTI Photonic Systems Inc. (Photo/Darren Brown)

BTI Systems Inc. has been named as one of the top 10 fastest-growing wireless companies in North America, leading the list of Canadian companies honoured on the inaugural Deloitte Wireless Fast 50 list.

The company, which makes photonics-based wireless networking products for the industry edge, tied for fourth place on the list with Toronto's Tira Wireless Inc., with both companies seeing revenue growth of 16,610 per cent between 2002 and 2006.

"We remained focused on our core competency of providing packet optical edge networking solutions that allow our customers to meet the demands of delivering high-bandwidth applications such as mobile Internet," said BTI chief executive Lance Laking in a statement, who attributed the growth to the company's "entrepreneurial spirit and a sharp focus on customer requirements."

BTI also tied with Tira Wireless for third place in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 earlier this year, climbing eight spots from a year earlier.

"The wireless industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation as new technologies, such as WiMAX and 4G, emerge," said Deloitte technology analyst John Ruffolo. "The inaugural Deloitte Wireless Fast 50 awards underscore the potential for both innovation and business performance in this evolving sector. I commend BTI Systems for its industry leadership in achieving such impressive growth while constantly navigating industry change."

The other five Ottawa-based companies on the list were 15th-placed SiGe Semiconductor, with five-year growth of 3,221 per cent; wireless networking equipment maker DragonWave Inc., with growth of 683 per cent, taking 25th place; 36th-ranked Bridgewater Systems, which makes policy management software for Internet protocol (IP)-based services, with revenue growth of 321 per cent; IP networking and broadband wireless products firm EION Wireless, which was ranked 37th on the list with a 316-per-cent gain between 2002 and 2006; and SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc., in 43rd place with growth of 190 per cent.

A total of 14 Canadian companies made the Wireless Fast 50 rankings, with the Ottawa region producing the highest number of firms on the list.

"It's not surprising to see such strong rankings given Canada's history of wireless innovation and leadership," Mr. Ruffolo said. "The increasing influence of wireless technology on lifestyles and business models is resulting in the emergence of new wireless sectors that position Canadian companies well to become global leaders in these rapidly evolving wireless sectors."

The top company on the list was New York's SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc., which had growth of 79,060 per cent over the five-year period.

The Wireless Fast 50 list is a subcategory of Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, and all eligible companies for the wireless rankings must fit the criteria for the larger list.