January 14, 2014 – Ottawa – Industry Canada
Canadians have been clear that they want their government to make decisions that will lead to more choice, lower prices and better service in the wireless sector. Today, the Government of Canada officially launched the 700 MHz spectrum auction. These high-quality wireless airwaves will soon be made available to carriers to provide Canadians with improved, high-speed wireless services on the latest technologies.
The Government is committed to protecting the best interests of Canadian consumers in the wireless sector. The 700 MHz spectrum auction builds on the Harper Government's commitment and actions to encourage more choice and lower prices in Canada's wireless sector. Those actions include:
- auctioning off 2500 MHz spectrum band in April 2015;
- instituting monetary penalties for companies that violate rules on tower sharing, deployment of spectrum and service to rural areas;
- preventing undue concentration of wireless spectrum; and
- clarifying the rules for transferring spectrum licences between companies, with decisions on proposed licence transfers to be announced by the government in a more transparent fashion.
As of today, no further information on the auction's progress will be publicly released until after the auction is over.
Jake Enwright
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
media-relations@ic.gc.ca