Ericsson has affirmed its commitment to innovation with a significant €200 million investment in Research, Development, and Innovation (RD&I) in Ireland. Initiated at the Athlone facility, this project is scheduled to span three years. It’s supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland, the agency for foreign direct investment in the country.
A key focus of the project is enhancing mobile networks’ functionality in the context of the 5G Standalone (SA) rollout. This effort will involve the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP), designed to streamline management and automation of both 4G and 5G radio access networks (RAN). Such capabilities are crucial when dealing with equipment sourced from multiple vendors.
Adding another layer of innovation, the project seeks to advance the development of ‘rApps’. These software applications are intended to further automate and optimize mobile network operations, potentially upscaling global network efficiency.
Peter Burke, Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, commended the initiative, describing it as “fantastic news” for the nation. He emphasized Ericsson’s long-standing presence in Ireland, particularly highlighting the Athlone facility’s substantial role in the community for over half a century.
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, echoed these sentiments. He stated that Ericsson’s project is aligned with the agency’s strategic growth goals, emphasizing the focus on sustained growth and innovation. Lohan assured Ericsson of IDA Ireland’s ongoing partnership.
The investment not only strengthens Ericsson’s legacy in Ireland but also positions Athlone as a pivotal hub for groundbreaking advancements in telecommunications. The infusion of €200 million into RD&I fosters the potential to facilitate significant advancements in mobile network technologies, further supporting the global efficiency of 5G architectures.