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Ericsson and the University of Toronto have launched a three-year strategic partnership backed by a $1 million investment from Ericsson to accelerate research and development in AI-powered mobile communications technologies.
The agreement formalizes collaboration around next-generation wireless infrastructure, applied AI, and graduate talent development. The deal, marked by a signing ceremony at the University of Toronto, strengthens joint research into AI-powered mobile networks tied to 5G and emerging 6G technologies, while reinforcing Canada’s R&D ecosystem.
“This partnership represents a strategic investment in Canada’s innovation ecosystem—advancing world-class research, developing highly skilled talent, and strengthening the foundation for secure and reliable next-generation wireless technologies,” says Nishant Grover, President of Ericsson Canada. “As 5G continues to transform industries and societies, and as we look ahead to 6G, Ericsson and the University of Toronto are working together to help shape the future of connectivity in Canada and globally.”
Formalizing applied AI research
Daniel Giovannini, Associate Director of MScAC Partnerships at the University of Toronto, posted on LinkedIn that the launch marked “a significant milestone in our ongoing collaboration.”
He wrote: “The University of Toronto and Ericsson are officially launching their strategic partnership today, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing collaboration. The three-year agreement, backed by $1M from Ericsson, opens new doors for collaborative research opportunities in communications technology.”
Giovannini added that through the Master of Science in Applied Computing program, the university had worked with Ericsson since 2024 on applied research designed to bridge academic innovation and industry challenges. He continued: “Our graduate students and faculty advisors have delivered impressive results: building multi-modal AI systems for automated failure detection in radio integration testing, and creating agentic intelligence platforms that unlock Canada’s national radio data through natural language interfaces.”
He described the internships as demonstrating “what’s possible when graduate talent tackles real telecommunications problems,” adding that MScAC collaborations had helped strengthen the broader university-wide research partnership.
The new framework formalizes that work at an institutional level following what Ericsson describes as a formal partner selection process.
Professor Leah Cowen, Vice President, Research & Innovation at the University of Toronto, says: “We’re very proud that U of T has been successful in being selected in this process. We have a long and positive track record of catalyzing next generation technology with Ericsson, and with these types of industrial collaborations in general.
“It’s a win-win proposition, enabling us to apply the expertise of our researchers, enhance the skills of our students, and elevate the global competitiveness of a major global technology innovator with major R&D operations right here in our own backyard. This strategic partnership is a great opportunity to take things to the next level.”
Industry-linked projects and talent strategy
The partnership includes a strategy to solve real-world research problems through industry-linked projects and to promote research excellence in mobile communications, mobile computing, and machine learning solutions. It also outlines talent development initiatives intended to equip students with skills aligned to current industry needs.
“Ontario is proudly home to a robust sector of researchers whose ground-breaking discoveries cement the province as a global innovator in technology,” says Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Our government proudly supports this partnership between Ericsson and the University of Toronto, which will equip our researchers with the cutting-edge tools they need to design, drive and lead the future of mobile communications technology.”
“This partnership will foster cutting-edge research, develop world-class talent, and support the creation of secure and reliable technologies for the future of wireless communications,” says Marcos Cavaletti, Head of Ericsson’s Ottawa site. “As 5G continues to drive profound changes across industries and societies, Ericsson and the University of Toronto are committed to tackling these challenges together.”
The agreement reflects a wider shift in higher education, where applied AI research and graduate internships are increasingly embedded in multi-year industry partnerships rather than short-term collaboration.
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