Ericsson announces funding boost for R&D centres through partnership with Ottawa

Ericsson Canada, a leading wireless networking technology company, has announced an expansion of its partnership with the federal government. This collaboration involves a combined investment of over $630 million in research and development centres, building on a previous commitment of $470 million made last year. The funding, unveiled during a press conference in Ottawa, aims to drive innovation in advanced mobile networks, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies.

With 3,100 employees in Canada, Ericsson plans to create hundreds of new jobs and provide training opportunities at its facilities in Ottawa and Montreal. These locations serve as hubs for cutting-edge research and development in next-generation communications technologies like 5G and 6G networks. Additionally, the company will strengthen its partnerships with more than 20 Canadian post-secondary institutions to foster collaboration and talent development.

Over the next five years, Ericsson projects the creation of nearly 200 jobs and over 600 co-op positions through its university partnerships. The company’s President and CEO, Börje Ekholm, emphasized the attractiveness of investing in Canada due to its talented workforce and supportive ecosystem. He highlighted Canada’s longstanding commitment to education and continuous immigration as key factors driving innovation and talent acquisition.

The partnership between Ericsson and the federal government, established in April 2023, aims to position Canada as a global leader in next-generation communications technologies. The research centres in Montreal and Ottawa will focus on quantum communications, AI-powered network management, and expanding Cloud RAN, 5G Advanced, and 6G capabilities. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne lauded the increased investment, stating that it will advance technologies shaping Canada’s future and solidify its leadership in the field.

Ekholm underscored the importance of making networks programmable, enabling a wide range of services to run on mobile networks securely. As network technology evolves, the focus is on enhancing service capabilities and providing a platform for new services. Consumers can expect improved capacity and performance with the rollout of 5G, 5G Advanced, and 6G networks, enhancing their experience and enabling innovative applications.

In conclusion, Ericsson’s continued investment in research and development underscores its commitment to driving innovation and technological advancement in Canada. The collaboration with the federal government and local institutions will not only create job opportunities but also position Canada at the forefront of global communications technology development.