Nokia Canada is transforming its Ottawa offices into a world-class research and development hub.
Alongside federal, provincial and municipal partners, Nokia intends to significantly expand its current tech centre in Ontario in order to advance next-generation information and communications technology and cyber security innovation.
This transformation is expected to create 340 high-value jobs within Canada’s tech ecosystem, according to a recent announcement from the company.
“Today’s announcement reinforces Nokia’s commitment to the Canadian market, where we have invested $1.4 billion in R&D over the past five years,” said Nokia Canada president Jeffrey Maddox. “Nokia’s R&D hub will generate net-new Canadian IP and bring innovative advanced telecommunications and cyber security technologies to market, helping us achieve our goal of improving people’s lives in Canada and across the world.”
Nokia Canada plans to begin site construction in 2023 at its 26-acre campus at the Kanata North Business Park and expects to open the new facility in 2026.
“Nokia is helping to drive Canada’s tech leadership,” added Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark. “This world-class, sustainable R&D hub will be one of Nokia’s most dynamic developments—and I’m proud that it will benefit the people of Ottawa also.”
The new R&D hub will secure Canada’s position as a leader in the digital future by broadening Nokia Canada’s expertise in 5G, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, as well as accelerating growth in cloud software and enhancing digital identity management and security for devices connected to critical networks, according to a statement from Nokia.
“Today’s announcement will help to enable exciting new technologies that will have a transformative effect on Canada’s economy and the day-to-day lives of Canadians,” believes François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Nokia Canada is a major supplier to Canada’s leading telecommunication carriers, including 5G radio and core, fibre-to-the home, IP-routing, optical networks, cyber security, submarine cable, and network management software.
“We are proud to work alongside our partners to secure hundreds more in demand, high skill jobs for the Ottawa region and we welcome this long term commitment from Nokia to our province, and our workers,” stated Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.
The transformed campus is expected to enable Nokia Canada to grow its Ontario-based team by more than 300 positions to 2,500—most of which will be based in Ottawa. Co-op and intern positions for university and college students in STEM fields will also increase and participants will gain access to cutting-edge lab space and equipment.
“Ontario is home to a wealth of world-renowned research institutes and top talent who work collaboratively with businesses to create game-changing solutions,” affirmed Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Working closely with Invest Ontario, our government is proud to support global innovators like Nokia as part of our plan to build Ontario.”
