Results of latest spectrum auction support new competitors, offering more choice to consumers
March 6, 2015 – Toronto, Ontario – Industry Canada
The results are in: Canada's latest spectrum auction will support wireless competition, and lead to more choice, lower prices and better services for consumers. Industry Minister James Moore today announced that five companies have won spectrum across the country, with new competitors emerging as winning bidders on most of the spectrum. The total revenue generated from the AWS-3 spectrum auction is $2.11 billion, money that will be reinvested in priorities that matter to Canadians.
The AWS-3 auction will enable the delivery of fast, reliable service on the latest smartphones, tablets and mobile devices, as well as encourage sustained competition.
With most of the spectrum in this auction being acquired by new competitors, more of this valuable public resource will be in the hands of those companies that need it to compete. A further opportunity for all wireless companies to acquire even more spectrum will take place on April 14, 2015, when bidding begins on the 2500 MHz spectrum auction.
By summer 2015, following the AWS-3 and 2500 MHz auctions, the amount of spectrum available to provide mobile services to consumers will have grown by almost 60 percent since early 2014. This is the largest amount of spectrum ever released in such a short time in Canada, allowing Canadians and their families to benefit from the latest technologies and world-class services.
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
