Ericsson plans to stay at the top of its 5G game by building a new research and development (R&D) site in France with up to 300 employees. The site will provide access to a competence pool and foster industry and academic collaborations on 5G.
Ericsson currently employs 15,000 engineers in Europe, about three-fifths of its total R&D staff. This is across 18 R&D centres in Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden.
A strong R&D presence
“This initiative will strengthen Ericsson’s 5G software portfolio, including enhancing security capabilities, especially for the French and European markets."
Fredrik Jejdling, Ericsson.
The new R&D site in France is designed to complement the company’s existing sites in Europe and will continue to ramp up the research as 5G gains momentum in Europe.
“We recognise the economic and technological importance of the French market and the country’s influence in Europe,” said Fredrik Jejdling, executive vice-president and head of networks at Ericsson. “The rich technology ecosystem and key competencies that are present in France are conducive to building 5G through a strong R&D presence in the country.
“This initiative will strengthen Ericsson’s 5G software portfolio, including enhancing security capabilities, especially for the French and European markets. It will also support our continued focus on Europe and bring the latest innovations to our customers.”
The site will focus on 5G software development and security, using the global 5G ecosystem and taking advantage of existing relationships with French customers, it says.
This decision to open a new R&D facility comes after Ericsson finished a particularly strong 2019 with impressive developments in 5G technology, ranging from spectrum sharing to testing a transglobal 5G data call in late November.
This investment in R&D demonstrates just how serious Ericsson is taking 5G in 2020, as it hopes to continue pushing the boundaries of the new technology.
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