TRTech, formerly TRLabs, is ceasing operations after 30 years following withdrawal of support from backing provinces. The decision to close the pan-prairie information and communications technology innovation organization comes just three years after a name change. The Edmonton-based TRTech expanded to Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg in the 1990s, becoming one of the largest R&D organizations in Canada, attracting sizeable industry support. It spearheaded the transition of Internet and cell connectivity into the mainstream, pioneering breakthroughs in wireless speeds and reliability, last mile access, photonics and data networking. It was founded as the Alberta Telecommunications Research Centre in 1986 — a collaboration the Government of Alberta, Bell Northern Research and the Univ of Alberta....