Opening of facility highlights telecommunications research

Toronto, ON May 30, 2003 Today sees the opening of the Nortel Institute of Telecommunications at the University of Toronto, with technology that includes lasers, microwave and wireless networks, and advanced artificial materials.

The 1,100-square-metre facility contains nine laboratories and can accommodate more than 100 research projects. The $40-million institute offers scientists from academia, government and industry access to high-tech equipment and leading technical expertise for research and development.

Supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Innovation Trust, the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund and several private partners, the institute this week received $2.5 million in funding from the Ontario government. This funding is in addition to $12 million the Ontario government had already committed to the institute.