TORONTO – Calling affordable Internet and wireless services “basic tools for all Canadians”, the Federal Government has vowed to take steps to encourage more private sector competition and investment in these services.
Speaking Monday morning at the Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains (pictured) said that the Feds want current Canadian providers to offer more options at better price points.
He also said that the CRTC has been asked to reconsider a recent decision to exclude Wi-Fi-based service providers from accessing regulated roaming services, noting that their inclusion could potentially open the door to new companies and innovative solutions offering more affordable wireless service options.
In addition, the government is releasing its decision on a streamlined licensing framework to support the deployment of next-generation satellites, a move that could allow more satellite-based providers to enter the market and extend high-speed Internet services to Canadians in rural and remote communities.
Minster Bains also said that the government will kick off a public consultation on the release of spectrum to support the deployment of 5G wireless networks, a technology with the potential to meet the explosion in consumer and industrial demand for faster and higher-capacity mobile networks.
"The prosperity of Canadians depends on their access to affordable Internet and wireless services. These services are no longer luxuries", said Minister Bains, in a statement. “Our government is prepared to work with this country's telecom providers to ensure that Canadians have access to the services that allow them to compete in a global and digital economy. Together, we can ensure that Canada remains a global leader in the development and adoption of new telecom technologies."
More to come.
Photo via Twitter
