Bell-Northern Research

Bell-Northern Research
IndustryTelecommunications, Networking
Fateabsorbed into Nortel Networks
Headquarters,
Canada
ProductsTelecommunications and computer network equipment and software research and development
Websitewww.bnr.ca

Bell-Northern Research (BNR) was a telecommunications research and development company established In 1971 when Bell Canada and Northern Electric combined their R&D organizations. It was jointly owned by Bell Canada and Northern Telecom. BNR was absorbed into Nortel Networks when that company changed its name from Northern Telecom in the mid-1990s.

BNR was based at the Carling Campus in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, with campuses at locations around the world, including Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; Richardson, Texas; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Harlow and Maidenhead, United Kingdom. Bell-Northern Research pioneered the development of digital technology, and created the first practical digital PBX, (SL1), and central office (DMS). Under the direction of then Nortel Chief Executive Officer, John Roth, BNR lost its separate identity in the 1990s, and was folded into the Nortel R&D organization.[1][2]

  1. ^ Nortel Networks (2009). "Nortel History - 1990 to 1999". Nortel Networks. Archived from the original on September 30, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
  2. ^ Massey, David (2005). "Northern Electric - A Brief History". Bell System Memorial. The Porticus Centre. Archived from the original on April 26, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2009.