Broadband access in rural areas is costly whether it is fixed or mobile. The low population density often coupled with remoteness make a positive return on investment for providers difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. Subsidies are available to help broadband providers bring their services at an affordable price for those living in rural areas, [...]
The Connect America Fund (CAF) was born out of the 2010 National Broadband Plan intended to address the digital divide. The fund provides subsidies for broadband infrastructure development in underserved areas across America. A related Mobility Fund (MF) program provides similar funding for mobile deployment. The first subsidies were awarded from these funds in 2012. [...]
How much spectrum is required for 5G? The short answer is a lot. The detailed answer varies according to each carrier’s spectrum holdings but most carriers will need to double or more than double their spectrum holdings to offer quality 5G services. Spectrum in different bands will also be required for coverage [...]
There were 5G announcements in 2016 in Canada but few details in terms of concrete plans from mobile carriers. Of note are technology trials completed by Bell and Nokia, conducted using 73 GHz spectrum, as well as TELUS and Huawei in Vancouver, where speeds of up to 29.3 Gbps were achieved as part of [...]
The CRTC issued Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-112 on April 25, 2017 to “examine matters related to the establishment of the broadband funding regime”. The CRTC is looking for inputs regarding both the governance, evaluation criteria and functioning of this new regime as well as which organizations would be eligible to [...]
2017 will be a busy year in Canada as ISED should launch a new consultation on the upcoming 600 MHz spectrum in anticipation of the closing of the FCC's Incentive Auction. Critical questions will need to be properly addressed including compensation for broadcasters vacating this band. Some countries in Asia-Pacific are also looking at [...]
The Canadian government, CRTC as well as the Quebec government harmonized their objectives for broadband in Canada in late 2016 and started to work "hand in hand" so to speak to continue to bridge the digital divide across the country. These programs, namely the CRTC’s new broadband fund as well as the [...]
Last November, LYA published the results of an online survey indicating that close to 70% of English Canadian respondents were subscribers to Netflix at that time. The survey also highlighted the negative feedback that could be expected for both Netflix and BDUs if a Cancon tax of the order of $1.50 monthly was added [...]