Börje Ekholm, CEO of telecommunications giant Ericsson, has expressed concerns about the potential impact of Europe’s recent Apple tax ruling on investment decisions in Ireland. Despite this, he reassured that the ruling will not affect Ericsson’s operations or future plans in the country.
In an interview with RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Ekholm acknowledged that the tax ruling introduces some uncertainty. “Of course it creates some sort of uncertainty, I can kind of understand that,” he said. However, he emphasized that Ericsson is well-established in Ireland and the ruling will not alter the company’s current strategy. “We’re so far down the road now, we already have a base, we have good people… for us, it’s a bit regardless of what happens. But of course, longer term for Ireland, it’s worthwhile to think about,” Ekholm added.
Ekholm is visiting Ireland to mark the 50th anniversary of Ericsson’s operations in Athlone, where the company’s facility has evolved from a factory into a research and development center. The Athlone site, which began operations in 1974, now employs around 1,200 people. Additionally, 300 employees work at Ericsson’s Dublin office.
“It’s all about talent,” Ekholm noted. “We have very strong people… I also think it’s a business-friendly environment in Ireland, that has helped us over the years and that’s of course critical.” He acknowledged that Ireland’s supportive business climate has been advantageous for Ericsson’s growth.
Despite recent global job cuts, including 8,500 positions announced last year and another 1,200 in Sweden as of March, Ekholm indicated that the Athlone facility is currently appropriately sized. “It’s such a strong site today, and it’s such an important part of our operation,” he said. “We’re committed to Ireland and we’re committed to the Athlone facility.” He also hinted at potential future increases in headcount, contingent on factors such as talent availability and housing affordability.
To celebrate its 50 years in Ireland, Ericsson is unveiling a new partnership with Enterprise Ireland and the Technological University of the Shannon. The collaboration aims to explore how artificial intelligence can enhance the efficiency of future network management. “It kind of combines academic research and industry expertise into what we call the future way of managing networks,” Ekholm explained. He emphasized the goal of achieving “zero-touch” networks that operate autonomously, with AI playing a crucial role in this vision.
Ekholm’s visit underscores Ericsson’s ongoing commitment to its Irish operations and its focus on technological innovation despite external uncertainties.