Innovative Technologies
Many local firms have developed internationally competitive
products and generate a total of approximately $100 million in
revenues for the local economy each year. This industry has
enjoyed tremendous success and growth over the last eight years,
investing $13 million dollars annually in R&D. A full range of
industries is represented among the province's innovative
technology community, including:
- Information and communications technology
- Marine sciences
- Biotechnology/medical products
- Environmental technologies
- Defence and aerospace
Information and Communication Technology 
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) community includes approximately 600 companies, the majority of which are small to medium-sized.
But there is nothing small about their accomplishments. Specialized products and services developed by local firms generate annual revenues of more than $360 million. And, with an annual growth rate of 8 per cent, there are excellent opportunities for private and public partnering. Locally available training programs help to deepen the pool of approximately 6,000 knowledge workers whose output, based on GDP per employee, is higher than neighboring provinces and the Canadian average.
Companies in the ICT sector have expertise in:
- Mobile and fixed remote communications
- Multi-network mobile satellite service
- high speed outbound digital satellite links
- Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
- Defence, environmental and maritime surveillance/monitoring
- Digital nautical charts and electronic marine navigation applications
- Marine communications
- Telemedicine and distance education
- Comprehensive cellular data solutions
- Remote sensing/remote data acquisition systems
Nearshore Atlantic is an innovative initiative committed to helping companies explore Newfoundland and Labrador as a premier destination for unique outsourcing services in the expanding global ICT market. By working with companies to foster profitable business-to-business relationships, Nearshore aligns your outsourcing needs with established partners in Newfoundland and Labrador.
NATI is the voice of the technology sector for the province. Since its inception in 1991, NATI has experienced steady growth and heightened recognition.
Click here for more information on NATI.
IT Companies in our region, such as Medic Link and Beaufort Solutions are succeeding nationally and internationally due in part to access to local programs, skilled workers and existing infrastructure.
Hub for Call Centres: One of the biggest success stories to come out of Newfoundland and Labrador in recent years has been the rapid growth of the telecommunications and call center industry. Approximately 5,000 people in Newfoundland and Labrador are employed in 19 contact centres in the province generating more than $100 million a year in salaries.
Convergys Corporation, a global leader in integrated billing, employee care, and customer care services, opened its first contact centre in St. John’s in 2000. In 2006 Convergys expanded its operations in St. John’s by opening a second location creating approximately 300 new jobs dedicated to its Employee Care business. In 2008 it employed more than 1,500 customer service representatives
This success of call centres in the Northeast Avalon is due to:
- Superb $1 billion telecommunications infrastructure providing business customers with customized, leading-edge communications solutions
- Highest penetrations of fiber-optic digital technology in Canada
- Available skilled labor
- Competitive wage rates
- Among the lowest absenteeism and turnover rates in the industrialized world
- Available and affordable office space