Government of Canada aims to improve spectrum access for rural and remote connectivity - Proposed changes to spectrum policy would put more spectrum to use for rural Canadians
To complement these efforts to improve spectrum access and rural deployment, the government is also publishing a decision to streamline its framework to auction unsold spectrum , following a consultation earlier this year.
OTTAWA, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada - Across the country, Canadians need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us are working, learning, and staying in touch with friends and family from home. In rural and remote areas, high-speed Internet is also increasingly important for industries and businesses to benefit from newer technologies and to participate in the digital economy. That's why the Government of Canada is proposing changes to spectrum policies to support easier access to spectrum, which will improve access to broadband services in rural and remote areas.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the publication of three consultations on plans to improve access to spectrum for broadband services in rural and remote areas:
- A new regime for licensing unused spectrum and simplifying access to the secondary market and to more shared white space spectrum
- Reintroducing and increasing deployment requirements for Cellular and Personal Communications Services bands
- Updates to the Licensing and Fee Framework for Earth Stations and Space Stations
To complement these efforts to improve spectrum access and rural deployment, the government is also publishing a decision to streamline its framework to auction unsold spectrum, following a consultation earlier this year.
Access to spectrum is key to ensuring small and regional providers can deploy quality wireless services, particularly in rural and remote communities. The government will continue to look at ways to modernize its regulatory tools and fees to support this.
Quotes
"Our government is working to make more spectrum available and improve access for companies that will deploy high-speed broadband services in communities across Canada, with a focus on connecting our most rural and remote communities. We are taking action to ensure that unused wireless spectrum, an untapped resource, is being put to use to respond to the connectivity needs of all Canadians."
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Quick facts
- The government has implemented, or is currently consulting on, a number of initiatives to promote spectrum access, including:
- introducing a set of smaller (Tier 5) geographic licence areas to make it easier for small providers to target rural areas in line with their business needs
- streamlining the framework for residual auctions to make it easier for smaller players to get access to licences that go unsold at auction
- making additional spectrum available at low or no cost to benefit small and regional providers, such as 6 GHz spectrum for licence-exempt services like Wi-Fi
- modernizing licence fees for fixed point-to-point radio systems to make it more economical for providers to deliver services
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