This week Can ada announced the winners of its recently-concluded 2.5 GHz mobile spectrum auction, providing Total Telecom with the perfect subject matter on which to base the first issue of a new publication: The Spectrum Report.
Governments all over the world are working on plans to best allocate the spectrum resources they have at their disposal, balancing the revenues they could hope to generate with the economic benefits of placing the airwaves into the hands of the mobile industry.
As 2015 progresses the spectrum debate will intensify. Germany plans to begin a mutli-band auction later this month, for example, while national and international regulatory bodies focus on spectrum harmonisation and on identifying new bands for 5G and beyond.
The Spectrum Report will bring you all the latest from around the world on a regular basis, including both in-depth market coverage and news highlights.
First up, Canada. Read on…
SMALL TIME
Canada’s smaller players win 2.5-GHz spectrum, but taking on the big three will be a big ask
The Canadian government is upbeat about the number of smaller players that won spectrum in its 2.5 GHz auction, but it is too early to claim a shift in the competitive landscape.
Regional player Videotron emerged as the second biggest spender in the auction, the results of which were published this week, but the firm is still keepi ng its future direction a closely guarded secret. And while other small operators also won spectrum, their spend was not huge.
The state did not reserve spectrum for new or small operators, but a cap on the amount of 2.5-GHz bandwidth each company is permitted to hold limited the participation of market leader Rogers Wireless and third placed Bell Canada Telus, second largest of the big three, spent the most in the auction, committing C$487.82 million of the C$755.37 million (€553 million) raised. 302 of the 318 available licences were sold.
But all eyes are on Videotron, with speculation growing that… <more>
