Canada - Telecoms Infrastructure, Operators, Regulations - Statistics and Analyses

The Canadian telecom market continues to show steady development as operators invest in network upgrades. Much of this work is being supported by regulatory efforts to ensure that operators have spectrum available to develop 5G services, for which a range of auctions are planned between 2020 and 2022. Assigning and releasing spectrum for 5G will allay existing fears that the country could lag developments in the US and Europe. In addition, the regulator has set aside a portion of certain spectrum for new entrants to encourage competition in the wireless segment. Much of the investment among telcos has been channelled into LTE infrastructure to capitalise of consumer demand for mobile data services, while there has also been further investment in 5G.

There has also been a concentration of investment in fixed-line infrastructure, focussed on FttP and, among cable broadband providers, upgrades to the DOCSIS3.1 standard. This is having the effect that the DSL segment is beginning to lose market share as customers are migrated to fibre.

At the same time, fixed-line telephony services are dwindling as customers make greater use of mobile networks and VoIP options. Revenue from the broadband and mobile sectors is underpinning overall telecom sector revenue while the fixed-voice sector continues to decline.

This report provides a broad range of key statistical data on the major telecoms segments, including e-commerce and e-health developments as well as policies which support the progress of smart meter adoption and smart grids. It provides an overview of each major sector, an analysis of market developments and an assessment of operator strategies.

Key Developments:

Regulator asserts commitment to network neutrality;
SaskPower and SaskEnergy install smart meters and upgraded gas meters;
Smart grid developments;
Report updates include the regulator's market data report for 2017, telcos' operating data to Q2 2018, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report include:

Bell Canada, Bell Aliant, Telus, BOLDstreet Wireless, Tadaa Wireless, DoDo Wireless, Hotspotzz, Wayport, Boingo, FatPort, Rogers Communications, Craig Wireless System, Barrett Xplore, I-NetLink, SaskTel, Videotron, Cogeco, Shaw Communications.