Advertisement

Ontario-Quebec corridor to get 5G wireless technology through public-private partnership

The 5G sign is displayed at the Ericsson pavillon during day four of the Mobile World Congress at the Fira Gran Via complex in Barcelona, Spain on February 25, 2016. AOP.Press/Corbis via Getty Images

OTTAWA – The governments of Canada, Ontario and Quebec are partnering with some of the world’s digital heavyweights to usher in the next generation of wireless technology.

A $400-million, public-private investment will create a 5G wireless corridor through Canada’s two largest provinces, which will support the growing network of physical devices, vehicles and other objects that are increasingly communicating directly with each other.

READ MORE: BlackBerry suing Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram over messaging patents

Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.

Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains says the upgrade in wireless telecommunication will help businesses come out on top in what he describes as a global innovation race.

The two provinces and the federal government are each investing about $67 million and the remaining $200 million will be covered by the five private-sector partners.

READ MORE: Google’s ‘SkyBender’ project aims to deliver 5G Internet from drones: report

Ericsson, Ciena Canada, Thales Canada, IBM Canada and CGI will lead the public-private partnership, which is expected to create more than 4,000 jobs, 1,800 of which will be specialized in 5G.

Story continues below advertisement

Mobile 5G or fifth-generation technology, is up to 100 times faster than the 4G system and improvements in Canada’s infrastructure will help accommodate the dramatic spike in data traffic expected in the coming years.

 

Sponsored content

AdChoices