Telecoms/Electronics

Northern Ireland is an established centre of excellence in telecommunications and electronics technologies.

An expanding cluster of indigenous world class companies and international blue chip investors has contributed to the growth of this sector in recent years.

Leading international ventures include Seagate, Openwave, Fujitsu, BT, Daewoo, and Nortel Networks.

The region has a reputation for innovation and excellence in wireless application and development, research and development (in-sourced and partners) and telecoms software development.

Internationally recognised research

The sector also offers research and development (R&D) facilities and expertise from two universities with international reputations. Northern Ireland’s globally recognised research centres include:

• The Electronics, Communications and IT Research Institute,  a world-leading research facility offering electronic and computing technology research in one flagship centre.
• The Centre for Software Process Technologies, supporting and developing the research infrastructure for the software industry and providing regional companies with local access to techniques for improving capability to develop software.
• The Technology and Innovation Centre, a business incubation facility linked to the University of Ulster, benefits technology-based companies and specific areas of expertise include engineering, materials, telecoms and IT.

Information and communications technology (ICT) qualified people

The availability of suitably qualified people to serve the continued development of the sector is high.

Approximately 7,500 students are currently enrolled at degree-level ICT courses in Northern Ireland, and a further 16,500 are taking ICT-related higher education courses.

Download a guide to the Telecommunications sector in Northern Ireland (PDF)