Telus on Tuesday emerged as the big winner in Canada’s latest spectrum auction, paying C$478.82 million for 122 licences in the 2.5 GHz band.
In total, the country raised C$755.37 million from the sale of 2.5 GHz airwaves, with nine companies picking up spectrum, the government announced.
The auction was designed to put more spectrum into the hands of Canada’s smaller players and regional operators, which it duly did.
The second biggest spender in the contest was Quebec-based Videotron, which paid C$186.93 million for 18 licences both in its home region and further afield, includi ng Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.
Rural ISP Xplornet Communications, which is based in New Brunswick but has lofty expansion plans, paid C$25.44 million for 42 licences. In July last year the company announced that it aims to provide broadband Internet access to the entire population in 2017, using LTE-based fixed wireless and satellite communications.
Bragg Communications, Corridor Communications, MTS, and TBayTel also picked up spectrum, although none of them paid more than C$5 million.
Bell Mobility and Rogers Communications also took part, although their ability to bid was constrained by spectrum caps. Bell acquired 51 licences for C$28.99 million, while Rogers committed C$24.09 million for 41 licences.
In total the government sold 302 of the 318 regional licences it had on offer.
"The 2.5 GHz auction was a success because it was designed to put the interests of Canadian consumers first," said industry minister James Moore, in a statement.
"We have kept our commitment to Canadians to put more spectrum in the hands of wireless companies, and now Canadians – especially those in rural areas — will benefit from more choice, lower prices and better service," he said.
