Huawei Canada Partners with Ontario Government to Hire Hundreds of Research Engineers

Continuation of 5G Ontario initiative secures 250 new jobs across the province

TORONTO, ON – March 8, 2016 Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, announced today that it is accelerating its partnership with the Government of Ontario on “5G Ontario”, a major research and development project that will secure hundreds of new jobs for the Province of Ontario.

Announced during Premier Kathleen Wynne’s visit to Huawei’s Canadian headquarters in Markham today, 5G Ontario will see the government invest up to $16 million through the Jobs and Prosperity Fund (JPF) to support Huawei’s initial $212 million investment. The initiative will create 250 new R&D jobs in the province, while maintaining 250 existing R&D jobs. The partnership builds on an agreement Premier Kathleen Wynne announced with Huawei in Beijing during her first trade mission to China in 2014.

“Ontario has a vibrant innovation ecosystem that we’ve been proud to be a part of for the past six years, so we’re incredibly excited about expanding our research and development facilities in the province,” said Ken Hu, Huawei Rotating CEO. “Our Canadian research team is helping to drive pioneering projects around the world, and this accelerated investment in the Province of Ontario reflects our confidence in Ontario, and the talent of Ontario’s skilled ICT workforce.”

As part of the plan, Huawei plans to invest up to $303 million in new 5G-related research initiatives in Ontario over the next five years. As part of 5G Ontario, Huawei will continue to grow its existing research facility in Ottawa, and expand its Canada Research Centre to establish new research labs in Markham and Waterloo. The R&D centres will focus on advanced communications research initiatives, including 5G networks, and related technologies such as cloud computing, data analytics, enterprise applications and mobility security.

“Trade missions are an essential component of our plan to attract new investments and create high-value jobs,” added Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario. “Today’s announcement reinforces that the connections we make abroad translate into real investments — and real jobs — here in Ontario.”

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About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Huawei’s 177,000 employees worldwide are committed to bringing advanced communications technologies to operators, enterprises and consumers around the world. Huawei’s innovative ICT solutions, products and services have been deployed in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than one third of the world’s population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is fully owned by its employees, and was recently named again by Interbrand as one of the world’s top 100 brands – the first Chinese company to receive this recognition.

Huawei Canada has been in operation since 2008.  Huawei’s innovative wireless products and services support many of Canada’s leading telecommunications companies, and Huawei’s Canada Research Centre in Kanata, Ontario is a global leader in advanced communications technologies.  We are proud to be a key part of Canada’s ICT Ecosystem.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Kent Carter, High Road on behalf of Huawei Canada

Kent.Carter@highroad.com