- Ericsson commits $214M to expand R&D at its Athlone site, focusing on open, AI-powered network automation
- Project supports development of 4G/5G automation tools and strengthens Ireland’s role in global telecom innovation
What happened: Ericsson ramps up R&D in Athlone with $214M boost
Ericsson has announced a $214M investment in its research and development centre in Athlone, Ireland over the next three years. Backed by IDA Ireland and the Irish Government, the project will support open, programmable, and multi-vendor communications networks.
The investment will focus on enhancing the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP)—a system developed largely in Athlone to manage and automate both 4G and 5G networks. A major element includes the development of rApps, software tools that automate tasks within radio access networks.
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Why it’s important
This initiative strengthens Ireland’s role in the global telecom ecosystem and reinforces Ericsson’s strategy to accelerate innovation through open, collaborative platforms. By enabling third-party rApp development, the company is opening the door to more flexible, cost-effective telecom infrastructure.
It also highlights the growing importance of Open RAN and intelligent automation in modern networks. With artificial intelligence and machine learning integrated into operations, telecom providers can optimise performance while reducing operational complexity and cost.
