By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association is launching Wednesday a rebranding to move away from its exclusive focus on the wireless industry.
The Canadian Telecommunications Association, as it is now called, reflects the association’s “expanded focus on both wireline and wireless telecommunications,” according to a release provided exclusively to Cartt. “The new brand represents the latest chapter in the association’s nearly 50-year history.”
The association will formally announce the news later this morning.
“New technologies and consumer demands have blurred the lines between the capabilities and use of wired and wireless telecommunications,” said a blog post on the new website.
“Similarly, many of the policy priorities affecting wired and wireless telecommunications now overlap. With connectivity via wireless and wireline being equally important to Canadians, it became clear that we should expand our focus beyond wireless, to promote the importance of both wireless and wireline telecommunications to Canada’s economic growth and social development, and to advocate for policies that foster innovation, investment, and positive outcomes for consumers,” the post added.
The association was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Radio Common Carriers Association and has evolved with changes in the industry, it noted. It also adopted a new logo, pictured above, for the purpose.
The association participates in regulatory proceedings on behalf of its members, which include Rogers, Bell, Videotron, Eastlink, SaskTel, Tbaytel, Xplore, Nokia, Samsung, and Ericsson, which have representatives on the association’s board of directors. The association also produces reports about the telecommunications sector and participates in conferences and events.
The association’s priorities, as outlined on its website, broadly include connecting Canadians, network investment, the release of spectrum for wireless services, public safety and cybersecurity and privacy.
“Canada’s future depends on connectivity,” Robert Ghiz, association president and CEO, said in the release. “Our members are committed to ensuring that Canadians continue to enjoy world-class telecommunications services that are the cornerstone of Canada’s digital economy and an important contributor to the social fabric of our country. For this to happen, Canada must maintain a regulatory environment that incentives the high-level of private sector investment needed to connect all Canadians and build the next generation of connectivity infrastructure and services.”
The association also facilitates programs related to accessibility, safety, consumer protection and accessibility, including the 5G Canada Council, Wireless Accessibility, and the Mobile Giving Foundation.
