Nortel Networks and JDS Uniphase were among the top 10 research and development spenders in Canada during fiscal 2000, according to a study by Research Infosource.

With Canadian companies' total R&D spending at $11.1 billion, Nortel's $5.9 billion R&D spree placed it atop the list, "as usual," the study said. JDS Uniphase came in eighth, with $168 million, up from only $40 million spent in 2000.

Communications/telecommunications equipment companies dominated the research firm's Top 100 in terms of dollars spent, but this application area falls to third in terms of research investment as a percentage of revenue.

The firm noted that Nortel's poor financial performance early this year, and the rapid fall of communications technology stocks, could significantly alter the fiscal 2001 Top 100 list.