Ottawa, Ontario
Canadians need to be able to count on reliable telecom services no matter where they live. High-quality telecom services not only support economic and social activities but are also crucial for emergency services and public safety.
Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the publication of the Decision on a Policy, Licensing and Technical Framework for Supplemental Mobile Coverage by Satellite. This new spectrum policy is a first step to enabling service providers to offer expanded wireless services via satellites. This technology represents an exciting opportunity to secure reliable and resilient wireless services across the country, with most of the benefit in typically unserved or underserved areas. While it is still in its early stages and subject to limitations, this new capability is expected to improve over time with technological development and as more satellites are launched.
This new spectrum policy is about laying the foundation so we can maximize the benefits of this technology for Canadians as it becomes available, such as:
- expanded wireless services, particularly in unserved and underserved areas, including rural, remote and Indigenous communities
- improved access to emergency services and 9-1-1
- increased reliability and resiliency of telecommunications services
- increased investment in wireless networks, in their evolution and in the expansion of services
Canada is among the earliest countries to have taken regulatory action to facilitate this service. Commercial supplemental mobile coverage from satellites is expected to be available in Canada later this year, with the service supporting texting to start at that time.
The Government of Canada will continue to use all the tools at its disposal to improve the reliability of telecom networks, while working with telecommunications companies and other partners.
