OTTAWA — A new report commissioned by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) says its membership contributed $48.2 billion to the Canadian economy in 2018, representing 2.5% of the total Canadian gross domestic product.
The report, developed by consulting firm Nordicity Group, goes on to say the Canadian wireless industry’s GDP contribution has grown at an annual compound rate of 7.1% since 2013 (the contribution was $34.3 billion in 2013). The industry’s GDP contribution in 2018 includes $12.6 billion from productivity improvements enabled by the use of wireless services in other industry sectors, and $4.7 billion as a result of an increase in wireless penetration, according to the report.
Furthermore, the Canadian wireless industry generated 327,000 full-time equivalent jobs in 2018. Job creation has increased at an annual compound growth rate of 5.3% since 2013 (252,000 full-time, high-paying jobs could be attributed to Canada’s wireless industry in 2013), says the report.
Finally, “facilities-based” (Ed note: I wonder why they’re emphasizing that??) wireless network operators made $3.1 billion in capital investments in 2018 to expand and upgrade Canada’s wireless infrastructure.
“The wireless industry is a catalyst for the Canadian economy, generating jobs and economic gains across key sectors of the economy,” said Robert Ghiz, president and CEO of CWTA, in the news release. “This report highlights why it is important to maintain a stable regulatory environment that encourages ongoing investment by facilities-based carriers. These investments are crucial to the expansion of wireless services into rural areas of Canada and the introduction of 5G, the next generation of wireless technologies. Increased coverage and new 5G wireless services will further boost Canada’s economy, create more well-paying jobs, and improve the quality of life for Canadians.”
For a copy of the report, The Benefits of the Wireless Telecommunications Industry to the Canadian Economy, or more information, visit www.cwta.ca.
