Ericsson relocates Athlone R&D headquarters, cementing its global role in advancing autonomous networks

• Ericsson (ERIC) will relocate its global R&D headquarters for AI-enabled software and autonomous network solutions to a new, purpose-built facility on the IDA Ireland campus in Athlone.
• The relocation strengthens Ericsson Athlone’s role as a strategic global hub for programmable and autonomous networks, building on more than EUR 3 billion invested since 2000.
• The move reinforces Ericsson’s long-term commitment to Ireland, where it has invested in R&D, talent, and innovation for more than five decades.

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) announced plans to relocate its Athlone Research and Development (R&D) site to a new, state-of-the-art facility on the nearby IDA Ireland campus. The new site will house Ericsson’s global R&D teams responsible for creating and delivering AI-driven capabilities to control, monitor, configure and automate telecom networks. This strategic move continues a partnership with Ireland that spans over five decades and builds on more than EUR 3 billion invested in Athlone since 2000.

Athlone has been central to Ericsson’s technology leadership since 1974, evolving from a manufacturing site to one of its most important R&D locations globally. Today, the Athlone facility employs over 1,300 people who design and deliver advanced network solutions used by service providers in more than 180 countries. These technologies underpin secure, resilient, and high-performing networks that support critical digital services, businesses, and public infrastructure worldwide. They are also central to delivering and monetizing differentiated connectivity, supporting operators as they build and scale new revenue-generating services.

The relocation underscores Ireland’s position as a global destination for R&D and technology innovation. It follows Ericsson’s announcement in 2025 of a three-year, EUR 200 million R&D investment programme in Athlone, supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland, dedicated to advancing open, programmable, and intelligent network capabilities.

The new facility further strengthens Ericsson’s long-standing partnership with Ireland, building on over five decades of collaboration with government, industry, universities, and local talent that has supported the company’s growth in the region.

Peter Burke, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Ireland, said: "I warmly welcome Ericsson’s continued commitment to Athlone, with the relocation of its R&D centre to a new local site. This investment reflects the confidence that leading international companies have in Ireland's business environment, skilled talent base, and innovation ecosystem. Ericsson has been an important partner in Ireland's success story for more than 50 years, and this announcement further cements the Athlone site's position as a centre of excellence for advanced research and development with global impact. The Government, through IDA Ireland, is committed to supporting investments such as this that drive innovation, create opportunities, and strengthen regional economic development."

Mary Buckley, Executive Director, IDA Ireland, said: “Ericsson’s decision to relocate its global R&D headquarters in Athlone, a key centre for the development and delivery of AI-enabled software and autonomous network solutions, to a new state-of-the-art facility at the IDA Ireland Business and Technology Park is a superb endorsement of Ireland’s position as a leading location for technology innovation. It continues more than 50 years of innovation by Ericsson in Athlone and emphasises the depth of talent available in the Midlands. With more than €3 billion invested in Athlone since 2000, Ericsson has made a really important contribution to the region’s economy and will continue to be an integral part of its technology ecosystem. I wish the team continued success.”

Jenny Lindqvist, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Area Cloud Software and Services, Ericsson, said: “Ericsson’s new Athlone facility is a significant milestone in our longstanding partnership with Ireland. This investment will empower our teams to develop and deliver AI-enabled software and autonomous network solutions for customers globally. Our commitment to Athlone reflects the strength of Ireland’s talent, collaborative innovation environment, and our shared ambition to lead the future of secure and intelligent networks.”

Key technical focus areas of Athlone site, including flagship work on the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) and AI-native rApps, include:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for secure and efficient network management, enabling service providers to manage and optimize multi-vendor, multi-technology 4G and 5G networks.
• Programmable and autonomous network platforms for scalable and flexible digital infrastructure.
• Cloud-native solutions for next-generation digital infrastructure.
• Automation and analytics to drive operational excellence, sustainability, and continuous innovation.

Looking ahead, the new R&D headquarters is expected to strengthen Ericsson’s capabilities in Ireland, deepen collaboration with academic and industry partners, and accelerate the development of technologies essential for digital transformation. The facility will serve as a long-term anchor for innovation, skills development, and economic growth in the region.