Tag Archives: Canada

Canada’s MVNO Policy: Impacts on Market Dynamics

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has introduced in 2021 a regulatory framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Canada, ostensibly aimed at fostering competition. However, while these regulations appear to address some issues, they also introduce significant challenges that may undermine their effectiveness and limit the potential benefits for consumers. Download our latest Insight Note… Read More »

Recap of the Canadian 3800 MHz C-band Spectrum Auction

The 3800 MHz spectrum auction in Canada concluded with total proceeds of C$2.158 billion (US$1.6 billion) for a nationwide allocation of 250 MHz (link to results on ISED web site). To put this result in perspective, the 3500 MHz auction, which concluded in July 2021, raised C$8.91 billion for a nationwide average of 111 MHz.  The 3800 MHz… Read More »

Highlights of Canada’s New NCL Spectrum Licensing Framework

Canada became the latest country to make spectrum available for enterprise private wireless networks (see here for the global market). Using a 80 MHz slice of C-band spectrum between 3900 MHz – 3980 MHz, enterprises and service providers will be able to apply for a spectrum license under the Non-Competitive Local Licensing Framework (NCL). NCL aims to cater… Read More »

Observations on Canada’s 3800 MHz Frequency Spectrum Auction

Update – April 2023. We published a report on the expected valuation of the Canadian 3800 MHz auction. For additional information see here. Canada will auction its 3800 MHz C-band spectrum beginning on October 24, 2023 [see here]. This is very late! The auction includes 250 MHz between 3650 and 3900 MHz. Together with the 3450 – 3650… Read More »

A Gold Medal in Spectrum Auction Valuation: 3500 MHz Canadian Auction

The Canadian auction for an average of 111 MHz in the 3500 MHz band raised a record setting C$8.91 billion (US$7.16 B). That’s an average of C$2.28/MHz-PoP (US$1.83); or a global record high for this spectrum band. Or, to bring another meaning into this, operators paid C$270 for each mobile subscriber! For another perspective, the US C-band auction… Read More »

Dynamics of the Canadian 5G Midband Spectrum Auction

The market landscape and auction structure make the Canadian 3500 MHz midband spectrum auction an interesting one to watch. The auction will kick off on June 15 to release an average of 111 MHz of which around 50 MHz will be set aside for regional wireless operators. This is relatively small in terms of what 5G requires to… Read More »

How Much is 700 MHz Spectrum Worth?

The 700 MHz auction in France closed last week raising a total of €2.8 billion ($3.17 billion). Orange and Free Mobile secured 2 block of 5 MHz duplex spectrum, while Bouygues and SFR secured one 5 MHz block each. The operators will have now to bid for the position of the allocation in the band: they got four choices,… Read More »

Are MVNOs the Next OTTs?

The wireless market in Canada is on the cusp of changes due to new regulations that open the market for a new breed of MVNO services. Full MVNOs are now possible: they will be able to have their own mobile network codes (MNCs) and provision their own IMSI numbers. Full MVNOs own their core network including all subscriber… Read More »

Canada 700 MHz Spectrum Auction Concludes Raising C$ 5.27 Billion

Results of the auction for 700 MHz spectrum in Canada were announced today:  CAD 5.27 billion (USD 4.73 billion) was raised. This is more than what operators had hoped to fork out for this auction, especially considering the wireless market structure in Canada which does not foster competitive behavior. The average price for the 68 MHz auctioned is… Read More »