Ericsson and the Canadian government have announced a five-year R&D partnership worth over CAD 470 million to develop next-generation communication technologies. The investment will create and upskill hundreds of jobs at Ericsson’s Ottawa and Montreal R&D centers, focusing on 5G Advanced, 6G, AI, Cloud RAN, and Core Network technologies. The partnership will also support the expansion of quantum computing research at Ericsson’s Quantum Research hub in Montreal. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm attended the announcement.
Ericsson and Canadian Government Announce R&D Partnership
A five-year research and development (R&D) partnership valued at over CAD 470 million between Ericsson and the Government of Canada aims to position the country at the forefront of global development in next-generation communications technologies. The investment will take place at Ericsson’s Ottawa, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec facilities, and is expected to create and upskill hundreds of jobs. The partnership will focus on 5G Advanced, 6G, AI, Cloud RAN, and Core Network technologies.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that the announcement demonstrates the talent of Canadian workers in developing faster and more secure internet connections and other wireless services. The partnership will support innovation, create good jobs, and ensure Canada remains a global leader in technology.
Börje Ekholm, President and CEO of Ericsson, said that the R&D investment partnership with the Canadian government will boost innovation and ultimately help improve the lives of millions of people. Ericsson is determined to lead the industry through continued R&D investment.
Expansion of Quantum Research Hub in Montreal
The investment will also support the expansion of research facilities and staff support for quantum computing at Ericsson’s recently established Quantum Research hub in Montreal. Quantum computing is an emerging technology that has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including telecommunications.
The partnership will enable Ericsson Canada to onboard up to 60 additional interns per year, totaling 300 across the five-year timeline, to boost ongoing academic partnerships. Most of these students will be based in the Montreal and Ottawa R&D centers.
Strengthening 5G and 6G Networks in Canada
The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said that by investing in Ericsson Canada, the government continues to support and strengthen the 5G networks of today and 6G networks of the future. The partnership also further solidifies Canada as a global leader in next-generation networks and creates more well-paying jobs.
Ericsson Canada has played a vital role in the country’s innovation ecosystem for 70 years, supporting communications service providers through every generation of mobile communication. The company is also a partner in the national ecosystem network aimed at fostering 5G adoption and collaboration in Canada.
Ericsson’s Commitment to Canadian Innovation
Jeanette Irekvist, President of Ericsson Canada, said that the company is proudly commemorating 70 years of innovation and operations in Canada this year. The high-tech R&D investment announcement demonstrates Ericsson’s continued commitment to Canada, strengthening the country’s technology expertise and bolstering Ericsson’s world-class R&D centers.
Ericsson Canada has R&D centers and offices in Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto, and is among the leading R&D spenders in the country, averaging around CAD 345 million per year.
Impact on Ottawa’s Economy and Innovation
Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa, expressed excitement about Ericsson’s new investment in its Ottawa R&D center, which is well-suited for a city deeply rooted in innovative technologies and the experts that create them. Supporting R&D centers like this helps to make the economy stronger and invests in the success of residents and the modernization of the city.
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, says: “Today’s announcement is further evidence that Canadian workers have the talent the world needs to develop faster and more secure internet connection and other wireless services. As we continue to support innovation, we are creating good jobs, strengthening the middle class, and ensuring Canada remains a global leader in technology.”
Börje Ekholm, President and CEO, Ericsson, says: “We are already seeing the benefits of next-generation technologies such as 5G and AI, yet we are still in the early days of their potential to transform our work, leisure, and social lives. Ericsson’s R&D investment partnership with the Canadian government, supported by world-class talent in Ottawa and Montreal, will boost innovation and ultimately help to improve the lives of millions of people. We are determined to lead our industry through continued R&D investment.”
The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, says: “Canadians deserve strong, secure, and reliable wireless networks and services. By investing in Ericsson Canada, our government continues to support and strengthen the 5G networks of today and 6G networks of the future. The partnership also further solidifies Canada as a global leader in next-generation networks and creates more well-paying jobs.”
Jeanette Irekvist, President of Ericsson Canada, says: “Ericsson is proudly commemorating 70 years of innovation and operations in Canada this year. Today, we demonstrate our continued commitment to Canada with this high-tech R&D investment announcement. The benefits of this project will strengthen Canada’s technology expertise that is second-to-none, will bolster Ericsson’s world-class R&D centres, and is a testament to the concentration of talent here in the Ottawa-area and in Montreal.”
Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor, City of Ottawa, says: “I am excited about Ericsson’s new investment in its Ottawa R&D centre, perfectly suited for a city deeply rooted in innovative technologies and the experts that create them. Supporting Research and Development centres like this helps to make our economy stronger. When we invest in research and innovation, we invest in the success of our residents and the modernization of our city.”
Summary
Ericsson and the Canadian government have partnered in a five-year, CAD 470 million R&D project to develop next-generation communication technologies, including 5G Advanced, 6G, and quantum computing. The investment is expected to create and upskill hundreds of jobs at Ericsson’s Ottawa and Montreal R&D centers.
Read More.
