OTTAWA – Industry Canada today announced the release of its new spectrum licence transfer framework “to further promote competition in Canada's wireless telecommunications market and to deliver cutting-edge technologies to Canadian families at affordable prices,” reads this morning’s press release.
The Government of Canada “is committed to promoting at least four wireless providers in every region of the country to support greater competition in the market," said Industry Minister Christian Paradis. "We are working to provide Canadian families with access to the latest technology at better prices."
As announced on June 4, 2013, all spectrum transfer requests will be reviewed, and those that would result in “undue spectrum concentration” —and therefore diminish competition — will not be permitted. Decisions on transfer requests will be made on a case-by-case basis and will be issued publicly to increase transparency.
The framework, which is based on consultations with Canadians, will provide greater clarity on how spectrum licence transfer requests will be reviewed. It will apply to commercial mobile spectrum licences and all licence transfers, including prospective transfers that could arise from options and other agreements, says the release.
A licensee will be required to seek a review within 15 days of entering into any agreement that could lead to a prospective transfer. Industry Canada will review a prospective transfer as though the future licence transfer that could arise from the agreement has been made.
"Important progress has been made, and Canadians can count on our government to continue to promote lower prices and increased choice for their families," added Minister Paradis. The federal government “will not hesitate to use any and every tool at its disposal to protect Canadian consumers and to promote competition,” he said.
More to come.
