TORONTO – During his speech to shareholders on Wednesday, where he also announced the company’s planned 2011 LTE launch, Rogers Communications CEO Nadir Mohamed pressed whomever will form the new federal government for leadership on the digital front.
A big part of which, for him, means a 700 MHz wireless spectrum auction in 2012 free of any rules favouring new wireless companies, or ones which constrict the established carriers. That spectrum is currently in use by Canadian analog TV broadcasters and is well known as prime low frequency spectrum which is excellent for distance coverage (great for rural) and for in-building penetration (excellent in urban settings, too).
“It is absolutely the spectrum of choice for in-building and rural,” he said,
As reported by Cartt.ca, some of the younger wireless companies are of the opinion that the entire block of spectrum should be set aside for them, and if not, the big companies must be limited in how much spectrum they can buy.
“We need to work with the new federal government to drive the digital economy… to make Canada the digital leader in the 21st century,” said Mohamed as a lead-in.
“To do this we need public policy that spurs growth and innovation – that rewards those with a track record and a commitment to innovating and investing in both urban and rural markets.
“We need a fair and open auction for 700 MHz spectrum.”
Mohamed noted the big U.S. carriers (Verizon and AT&T) have made their LTE bets already and are rolling it out across that country. “Denying established carriers – with the expertise, national footprint, and large customer base – from bidding on this spectrum is a recipe for leaving Canada behind – in the wake of countries who understand the competitive advantage that this spectrum brings,” he said.
Rogers is not alone in demanding the auction be open, as Telus and Bell have both made similar demands.
“Investing in the digital economy is critical to our competitiveness on the world stage,” added Mohamed. “Yet it will be the actions of the new government that will set the stage for Canada’s success or failure for decades to come.”
