Canada - Wireless Communications - Insights, Statistics and Forecasts

Synopsis

The Canadian wireless industry has witnessed relatively strong subscriber growth since the country began to emerge from economic recession in late 2009. Although wireless penetration remains low by OECD standards, the emergence of new entrants in recent years, as well as the proliferation of cheaper voice and data plans, is stimulating multiple-SIM card use. The continuing decline in voice revenues per subscriber is generally offset by data revenues which averaged about 45% growth in 2011 and an anticipated 35-40% for 2012.

Data revenues will become even more important for sector in coming years in light of their upgrades to HSPA+ networks and the rapid expansion of 4G LTE platforms: network operators plan to extend their LTE offers to at least half of the population by the end of 2012, while a number of smaller regional players are also active in the market. The Advanced Wireless Services auction of 2008 overhauled Canada’s wireless market providing a number of new entrants. With the exception of Shaw Communications, which recently opted to pursue a WiFi strategy, all have become players contributing to market competition.

This report provides an overview and analysis of the Canadian wireless market and the major operators, together with key statistics and select forecasts.

Key developments:

Bell enhances mobile TV service; TELUS’s LTE network to cover 25 million by end-2012; regulator’s mid-2011 market data update; company operating and financial data to Q1 2012; market developments into 2012.

Companies covered in this report include:

Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility, Virgin Mobile Canada, TELUS Mobility, SaskTel Mobility, MTS Allstream, Globalive’s Wind Mobile, Mobilicity, Public Mobile, Vidéotron Wireless, and Shaw Communications.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Market analysis
• 3. Overview of Canada’s Wireless market
  • 3.1 Wireless statistics
• 4. Regulatory overview
  • 4.1 CRTC and Industry Canada
  • 4.2 Spectrum licensing
    • 4.2.1 Advanced Wireless Services auction
    • 4.2.2 2500MHz and 700MHz auctions
• 5. Wireless technologies
  • 5.1 Personal communications services (PCS)
  • 5.2 GSM
  • 5.3 Third Generation (3G) wireless
  • 5.4 Long-term evolution (LTE) wireless
  • 5.5 WiMAX
• 6. Major wireless operators
  • 6.1 Rogers Wireless
  • 6.2 Bell Mobility
    • 6.2.1 Virgin Mobile Canada
  • 6.3 TELUS Mobility
  • 6.4 SaskTel Mobility
  • 6.5 MTS Allstream
  • 6.6 New entrants
    • 6.6.1 Globalive’s Wind Mobile
    • 6.6.2 Mobilicity
    • 6.6.3 Public Mobile
    • 6.6.4 Vidéotron Wireless
    • 6.6.5 Shaw Communications
• 7. Wireless services
  • 7.1 Prepaid and postpaid services
  • 7.2 Wireless data services
  • 7.3 Text messaging (SMS)
  • 7.4 Multimedia messaging service (MMS)
  • 7.5 Mobile TV
• 8. Forecasts
  • 8.1 Wireless penetration and revenue – 2011-2016
  • 8.2 Notes on scenario forecasts
• 9. Related reports

• Table 1 – Wireless subscribers and annual change – 2000 - 2014
• Table 2 – Wireless subscribers by major provider – 2004 - 2011
• Table 3 – Wireless operator market share – 2006 - 2010
• Table 4 – Wireless provider market share by province – 2010
• Table 5 – Wireless industry revenue by service type – 2002 - 2012
• Table 6 – Rogers Wireless pre and postpaid revenue, operating income – 2002 - 2012
• Table 7 – Rogers Wireless pre and postpaid subscribers – 2009 - 2012
• Table 8 – Rogers Wireless churn – 2009 - 2012
• Table 9 – Rogers Wireless ARPU – 2009 - 2012
• Table 10 – Bell Wireless operating data – 2008 - 2012
• Table 11 – Bell Wireless financial data – 2008 - 2012
• Table 12 – TELUS Mobility revenue, EBITDA – 2003 - 2011
• Table 13 – TELUS Mobility penetration and coverage – 2003 - 2011
• Table 14 – TELUS Mobility prepaid and postpaid subscribers – 2009 - 2011
• Table 15 – TELUS Mobility ARPU and monthly churn rate – 2002 - 2011
• Table 16 – SaskTel Mobility revenue – 2009 - 2011
• Table 17 – SaskTel Mobility subscribers – 2007 - 2011
• Table 18 – MTS Allstream wireless revenue, ARPU – 2007 - 2011
• Table 19 – MTS Allstream subscribers – 2007 - 2011
• Table 20 – Videotron cellular subscriber data – 2008 - 2011
• Table 21 – Prepaid subscribers by major operator – 2004 - 2011
• Table 22 – Prepaid and post-paid sector revenue – 2004 - 2012
• Table 23 – Total SMS and MMS sent – 2009 - 2012
• Table 24 – Text messages sent per month – 2002 - 2012
• Table 25 – Forecast wireless subscriber, penetration and revenue – lower growth scenario – 2011 - 2016
• Table 26 – Forecast wireless subscriber, penetration and revenue – higher growth scenario – 2011 - 2016

• Chart 1 – Wireless subscribers and annual change – 2000 - 2014
• Chart 2 – Wireless subscribers by major provider – 2004 – 2011
• Chart 3 – Rogers Wireless pre and postpaid subscribers – 2009 – 2012
• Chart 4 – Bell Wireless financial data – 2008 – 2012
• Chart 5 – TELUS Mobility revenue, EBITDA – 2003 – 2011
• Chart 6 – TELUS Mobility prepaid and postpaid subscribers – 2009 – 2011
• Chart 7 – SaskTel Mobility subscribers – 2007 – 2011