The Government of Canada has put connecting rural and remote areas and advancing Indigenous economic reconciliation among its top policy priorities. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry announced a new spectrum licensing framework that will provide access to unused licensed spectrum in rural and remote areas. This new framework is an important part of the government’s “use it or lose it” approach to spectrum policy—a series of measures that require telecom companies to use their spectrum to serve Canadians in a timely manner or risk losing it to others who will.
These rules have implications in the aftermath of two significant mid-band spectrum auctions that were designed to foster 5G deployment across Canada. The 3500 MHz auction held in 2021, attracted 20 bidders who spent $6.6 billion for 3,440 new and transitioned licenses. Canada’s Big 3 MNOs – Rogers, Bell and Telus – won 53 percent of those licenses. The 3800 MHz spectrum auction in 2023, attracted another 20 bidders who spent $1.6 billion for 4,099 licenses, with the Big 3 taking 79 percent of those licenses, Inside Towers reported.
The government says this framework, which is still being developed, will encourage current licensees to expand their coverage or give new users the opportunity to put spectrum to use. It says it is also developing rules that will give Indigenous applicants priority access to this unused spectrum.
“Spectrum is an important public resource that is a critical component of higher-quality and more affordable wireless telecom services,” says Champagne. “That’s why our government is committed to making more spectrum available and ensuring everyone can benefit from improved connectivity and the latest technologies.”
This framework builds on the Decision on a Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework, announced in May 2023, to give easy local access to 5G spectrum to internet service providers and innovative industries, as well as rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
Work is underway on a draft of the Indigenous Priority Window Spectrum Policy. During the proposed limited-time window, Indigenous applicants would have priority access to available spectrum.
Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development adds, “Access to reliable, high-speed internet is a necessity for small, remote, and Indigenous communities. Broadband internet helps small businesses find new customers and makes it easier for people to connect with their loved ones and health care providers.”
By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor
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