Canada - Wireless Communications - Overview, Statistics & Forecasts

Synopsis

The Canadian wireless industry enjoyed subscriber growth of around 8% per annum during 2008, although penetration levels still remain low by OECD standards. Industry revenues are being driven by growth in subscriber numbers, roaming revenues and the increasing use of data services such as SMS and MMS messaging. However, costs are also increasing due to network and technology upgrades and aggressive handset subsidies. In most regions the market is dominated one of three operators: Bell Mobility, Rogers Wireless and TELUS Mobility. However, following the AWS auction in mid-2008, in which 40% of available spectrum licences were reserved for new entrants, Canadians should be able to look forward to increased wireless competition in each province and territory. Additionally, a significant development during 2009/10 will be the upgrade by both Bell and TELUS to a GSM network, in anticipation of their move towards LTE as a 4G platform. The upgrade will facilitate easier roaming, greater choice of handsets and decreased switching costs for customers changing providers.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
  
• 2. Analysis 2008/09
  
• 3. Overview of Canada’s Wireless market
  
  • 3.1 Introduction
    
  • 3.2 Wireless statistics
    
• 4. Regulatory overview
  
  • 4.1 CRTC and Industry Canada
    
  • 4.2 Spectrum licensing
    
    • 4.2.1 Early licences
      
    • 4.2.2 Initial 24GHz, 38GHz spectrum auctions
      
    • 4.2.3 Additional 2GHz auction
      
    • 4.2.4 Licensing additional 40MHz of PCS spectrum
      
    • 4.2.5 2300MHz and 3500MHz auctions
      
    • 4.2.6 Advanced Wireless Services auction
      
  • 4.3 Mobile Number Portability (MNP)
    
  • 4.4 Rural digital roaming
    
  • 4.5 System access fees
    
• 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 Overview
    
  • 6.2 Rogers Wireless
    
    • 6.2.1 Fido Solutions (formerly Microcell Telecoms)
      
  • 6.3 Bell Mobility
    
    • 6.3.1 Virgin Mobile Canada
      
    • 6.3.2 The former Aliant Mobility
      
    • 6.3.3 Telebec and Northern Tel
      
  • 6.4 TELUS Mobility
    
  • 6.5 SaskTel Mobility
    
  • 6.6 MTS Allstream
    
• 7. Wireless services
  
  • 7.1 Prepaid and postpaid services
    
  • 7.2 Text Messaging (SMS)
    
  • 7.3 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
    
  • 7.4 Mobile TV services
    
• 8. Forecasts
  
  • 8.1 Forecasts – wireless market to 2015
    
  • 8.2 Notes on scenario forecasts
    
• 9. Related reports
  

• Table 1 – Wireless subscribers and annual change – 1997 - 2008
• Table 2 – Wireless subscribers by major provider – 2004 - 2008
• Table 3 – Wireless operator market share – 2006 - 2008
• Table 4 – Wireless provider market share by province – 2007
• Table 5 – Wireless industry revenue by service type – 2002 - 2007
• Table 6 - Top 7 licence winners of 2300MHz & 3500MHz auctions - 2004 - 2005
• Table 7 – Rogers Wireless pre/postpaid revenue and operating income – 2002 - 2008
• Table 8 – Rogers Wireless pre and postpaid subscribers, churn and ARPU – 2007 - 2008
• Table 9 – Bell Wireless revenue, subscribers, churn and ARPU and annual change – 2007 - 2008
• Table 10 – TELUS Mobility revenue, EBITDA, penetration and coverage – 2003 - 2008
• Table 11 – TELUS Mobility prepaid, postpaid subscribers and annual change – 2007 - 2008
• Table 12 – TELUS Mobility ARPU and monthly churn rate – 2002 - 2008
• Table 13 – SaskTel Mobility revenue, subscribers, ARPU and annual change – 2007 - 2008
• Table 14 – MTS Allstream wireless revenue, subscribers, ARPU and annual change – 2007 - 2008
• Table 15 – Prepaid subscribers by major operator – 2004 - 2008
• Table 16 – Postpaid and prepaid wireless subscribers and annual change – 2007 - 2008
• Table 17 – Text messages sent per month – 2002 - 2008
• Table 18 – Forecast wireless subscriber, penetration and revenue – lower growth scenario – 2010; 2015
• Table 19 – Forecast wireless subscriber, penetration and revenue – higher growth scenario – 2010; 2015

• Exhibit 1 – 3G licence awards – January 2001