Scott Bradley, Huawei Canada’s vice-president of corporate and government affairs, brought the news that surprised many in the Canadian channel community.
Huawei Technologies would be increasing its investment in Ontario – in hopes that it will persuade enterprises to buy its switches and routers – to the tune of $210 million in new investments that will create 325 new jobs over the next five years. When combined with existing research, development and operational plans, Huawei’s total investment in Ontario over the next five years will be $500 million.
“We hope that this type of commitment to our operations reinforces that we’re here to stay in Canada,” Bradley said in a previous interview.
Huawei opened its Canadian office in 2008, around the time BCI Inc.’s Bell Canada and Telus began buying switches for their wireless networks. Later it sold equipment to Wind Mobile and SaskTel.
Huawei is also working with a number of Canadian Universities on 5G related research projects.