The Canadian government is investing $56.8 million in a collaborative effort with communications tech firm Ericsson to develop 5G solutions and enhance the country’s telecommunications industry.
According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the investment, finalized by François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, will come from the Strategic Innovation Fund, which supports innovative projects from for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
The additional fund makes Ottawa’s 5G project with Ericsson now worth $456.1 million, marking an increase from the initially announced $337.7 million commitment. The five-year partnership will cover research and development work on next-generation 5G technologies, cloud-based wireless technologies and architectures, artificial intelligence and quantum computing solutions.
Advancing 5G Technology
Ericsson President and CEO Börje Ekholm expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and its potential to accelerate the advancement of key technologies. “This collaboration will not only bolster Canada’s leadership in digital infrastructure but also benefit the entire region,” the executive said in a statement.
The partnership, which builds on Ericsson’s seven-decade relationship with Canada, is expected to drive growth in the nation’s 5G ecosystem and tech sector, creating 1,200 co-op student positions and over 190 jobs while sustaining 2,400 research and development roles.
Ericsson said the funding increase will also enhance its research facilities’ capabilities and position them at the forefront of innovations in 5G Advanced, 6G, AI, Cloud RAN, quantum and network API technologies.
Ericsson will conduct the work at its facilities in Ottawa, Ontario and Saint-Laurent in Quebec.
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