Nokia will invest $340 million in a sustainable research and development center in the Ottawa region to help Canada transition to 5G wireless technology, the Canadian government and leading multinational communications company Nokia announced on 17 October. Nokia will renovate a campus in Kanata, Ottawa Region, to drive its wireless technology development in Canada.
Areas of focus for the new R&D center will include 5G, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as cloud software, digital identity management, and key connected devices. The project is expected to create more than 340 middle-class jobs and provide internships for post-secondary students in the fields of technology, engineering and mathematics.
Construction of the site is scheduled to begin in 2023, with the new facility opening in 2026 and completion in 2027. At that time, Nokia expects to employ more than 2,500 people in Ontario.
To support the project, the Canadian federal government, in consultation with Nokia, will provide approximately $40 million in funding through the Strategic Innovation Fund; the Ontario government will provide a $30 million loan to Nokia; and the City of Ottawa will contribute $2 million to upgrade the electrical control system.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the project will stimulate Canada’s technology ecosystem while bringing economic benefits.
Canadian officials expect 5G wireless technology to create an annual economic value of C$40 billion for the country over the next four years.
Kanata, located west of Ottawa, is considered the “Silicon Valley of Canada” due to the concentration of high-tech companies.
