Industry Minister announces new measures to bring "super Wi-Fi" Internet services to Canada
February 5, 2015 – Ottawa – Industry Canada
Spectrum is the oxygen that fuels our smartphones, tablets and wearable devices. It is a valuable but finite public resource that must be allocated in a way that benefits Canadian consumers foremost. Recently, the Government of Canada has been exploring new ways to access additional spectrum by using portions of television airwaves that are not being used in particular areas of Canada. This unused television spectrum is known as TV white space (TVWS).
Today, Industry Minister James Moore announced new measures that will make TVWS technology available in Canada, benefitting consumers in rural communities.
TVWS technology uses available television airwaves to deliver improved, Wi-Fi–like services in rural regions. Given the excellent coverage of TV frequencies, TVWS devices will initially provide broadband Internet, similar to Wi-Fi, but with expanded coverage that exceeds traditional Wi-Fi.
This move will allow these devices to be used in Canada without interfering with existing TV broadcasts. Today's publication of technical standards and operational requirements, developed with stakeholders, is the last step in enabling the use of TVWS in Canada.
Jake Enwright
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry
343-291-2500
Media Relations
Industry Canada
343-291-1777
media-relations@ic.gc.ca
