5G wireless is coming to Ontario with $400 million public-private plan

On Monday, the Government of Canada, along with the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, announced a $400-million public-private partnership that will secure over 4,000 middle-class jobs over the next five years, leading to new innovations in wireless telecommunications.

It’s the first partnership of its kind in Canada, and its hoping to increase economic growth driven by wireless technology.

The ENCQOR project (Evolution of Networked Services through a Corridor in Québec and Ontario for Research and Innovation) will be led by five global digital technology heavyweights (Ericsson, Ciena Canada, Thales Canada, IBM Canada and CGI).

The governments of Canada, Ontario and Quebec will each contribute $66.7 million to ENCQOR for a combined investment of $200 million.

According to the government, small and medium-sized businesses, different government levels, and academics will all collaborate on 5G technology development through linked research facilities and laboratories located in Ontario and Quebec.

5G network has download speeds up to 100 times faster than current 4G technology, and is considered the next generation of digital communication.

To prepare for the future, we must be bold, visionary and decisive. That’s why our government is investing in 5G #tech, to help make Canada a global innovation leader and secure 4,000 jobs for Canadians. Great to be at @ENCQOR this morning. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/RqTAQylF3D

— Navdeep Bains (@NavdeepSBains) March 19, 2018

“Technology is changing the way we live, work and engage with one another, and we are in a global innovation race,” said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

“To prepare for the future, we must be bold, visionary and decisive. That’s why our government is investing in 5G technology. This investment in next-generation wireless technology will help make Canada a global innovation leader and secure 4,000 jobs.”

The Federal Government said that ENCQOR will provide Canadians with the ability to innovate by testing their products and services on 5G equipment.

“This exciting 5G initiative will help our businesses here in Ontario—and across Canada—capitalize on the vast potential of high-speed communications technology to expand their horizons, accelerate their innovation, and transform the way we all live and do business,” said Reza Moridi, Ontario Minister of Research, Innovation and Science.

The government expects mobile data traffic to increase seven-fold between 2016 and 2021, with 5G enabling widespread adoption of new technologies.

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