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Final WSIS Assessment 2005
(PPT, 38 KB, 11 pages)
Telecommunications: Backbone of the nation
- Telecommunication facilities and services — enable social and economic growth in era of Information Societies
- Sector is technology driven:
- Cellular expansion, PDAs, satellites, computers
- Internet: home and business; e-commerce, e-health
- Digitalization; convergence issues
- Canadians — avid users of communications facilities, services
- Telecoms includes radio frequency spectrum — an international resource shared by all countries and several telecommunications services
Telecommunications Policy & Regulatory Roles
Policies
Industry Canada
- Telecommunications
- Radiocommunications
Canadian Heritage
- Broadcasting
Regulation
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
- Telecommunications
- Broadcasting
Industry Canada
- Radiocommunications
Canada's Legislative Framework
- Telecommunications Act — 1993
- economic focus, technology neutral
- Broadcasting Act — 1991
- nurture Canadian culture
- Radiocommunication Act — 1989
- spectrum management
- Competition Act — 1985
- general anti-trust framework
- Changing technology requires adjustments — foster enabling environment
- Open world economy imposes more competitive approach
Outcomes: Canada's World Class Network Infrastructure
Wireline Communications Network
- One of the most developed telecommunications networks in the world:
- More than 99% of the lines are linked to a digital network
- Nation-wide fibre-optic network
- More than 98% of households have at least one telephone
- A well developed cable distribution network:
- 92% of households have access to cable
- 74% of these actually subscribe to cable
- 70% of households have access to high speed cable internet
Outcomes: Canada's World Class Network Infrastructure
Wireless Communications
- Three national wireless networks
- National satellite communications network (Telesat)
- Competitive radio carriers and service providers
- Over the air television and radio broadcasting
- Two Direct To Home satellite broadcasting licenses
- Satellite mobile services
- Fixed wireless, e.g., MDS
Canada's Communications Service Industries
Key Players
*Bell & Partners includes Bell Mobility, Aliant Mobility, SaskTel Mobility and MTS Mobility.
Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Telecommunications Service Providers (April 2004) and CRTC, Broadcast Distribution Statistical and Financial Summaries (April 2004).
