U of T and Ericsson form partnership to improve cell phone networks

The University of Toronto and Ericsson launched a strategic partnership on Feb. 18 to advance research into wireless communications and to develop related talent; the agreement followed a national request for proposals and builds on collaborations dating back to 2013.

The University of Toronto and Ericsson announced a strategic partnership that officially launched on the St. George campus on February 18. The initiative pairs U of T’s engineering research with Ericsson’s telecommunications R&D to explore advances in mobile network technology and workforce development. The agreement was awarded after a national request for proposals and builds on more than a decade of prior collaboration between the two organizations. The partnership is expected to support research across hardware, software, system architecture and talent programs. Key facts: - The partnership was launched at U of T’s St. George campus on February 18 and was awarded after a national Request for Proposals initiated by Ericsson. - Ericsson and U of T researchers have collaborated since about 2013, and this agreement frames a deeper relationship that could extend into the next decade. - Research topics mentioned include optimizing spectrum and power allocation, integrating artificial intelligence with wireless networking, shared infrastructure for multiple service providers, and alternative system architectures such as more, smaller stations. - Faculty involved include professors Ben Liang and Ravi Adve from U of T Engineering, who have worked with Ericsson on software and hardware aspects of wireless systems. - The partnership includes a talent development stream involving U of T centres and programs such as the Centre for Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Engineering (Carte), ISTEP, and the new MEng Extended Full-Time Co-op program. - Ontario’s provincial government announced support for the collaboration and highlighted its potential to strengthen the region’s research and innovation ecosystem. Summary: The partnership aims to advance faster, more efficient and more cost-effective mobile network technologies while strengthening the research and development ecosystem in the Greater Toronto region and nationally. It also establishes a formal talent development stream to train personnel with interdisciplinary skills relevant to future wireless systems. Participating faculty expect to continue existing collaborations and additional U of T researchers are expected to join projects under the new agreement. The timeline and full scope of specific projects under the partnership are still being defined.