Latest news with #CanadianTelecommunicationsAssociation
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
CRTC Decision Threatens Investments in Critical Telecom Infrastructure: Canadian Telecommunications Association
Government Action Needed Following CRTC Decision on Wholesale Internet Access OTTAWA, ON, June 20, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Telecommunications Association is deeply disappointed by the CRTC's decision to uphold its earlier ruling that allows Canada's largest national telecommunications companies—Bell, Rogers, and TELUS—to operate as resellers on the networks of their competitors, including smaller regional providers. If this decision stands, it will lead to reduced investments in network infrastructure, including in rural and remote communities, and ultimately less choice for Canadians. The Association is calling on the Government of Canada to overturn the CRTC's decision and prohibit the three largest providers from reselling service over their competitors' networks. "Canada's telecom networks are more than just wires and cell towers. They are vital, strategic infrastructure that powers our economy, connects our communities, and are critical to our security and safety," said Robert Ghiz, President and CEO, Canadian Telecommunications Association. "Today's decision sends the wrong signal to the companies that build networks. It will reduce investment, undercut smaller regional providers who took on the risk of building their own networks, and ultimately harm the very consumers the policy claims to protect." In 2024 alone, Canada's telecom industry invested over $12 billion in network infrastructure—representing 18% of industry revenues and a higher share than counterparts in most developed countries. These investments support not only faster speeds and broader coverage, but also the economic vitality of rural and remote communities where building is hardest and most expensive. The Commission's decision threatens to reverse that progress. It allows the country's largest network operators to use competitors' network infrastructure at regulated rates rather than continuing to expand and upgrade their own networks. This disincentivizes new builds, harms smaller regional providers, and weakens Canada's ability to deliver next-generation connectivity to all Canadians, especially rural Canadians. Facilities-based competition—not resale—is the foundation of a sustainable and innovative telecom sector. It is what drives network improvements, affordability, and service differentiation. "In a time of economic uncertainty and growing digital dependence, now is not the time to undermine investment," said Mr. Ghiz. "Canadians deserve a resilient, future-ready telecom system built on strong, sustained competition among those committed to building and improving our nation's networks. The Government of Canada must act now to ensure that network builders continue to build."
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Canadian telecom sector gathers for annual summit as report touts industry investment
A cell tower is pictured in rural Ontario on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick TORONTO — A new report says sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure is key to boosting Canada's economic growth after the sector contributed $87.3 billion in direct GDP last year. The study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which was commissioned by the Canadian Telecommunications Association, says the sector supported 661,000 jobs across various industries in 2024. Its report was released Tuesday as industry leaders and government and regulatory officials gather for the 23rd annual Canadian Telecom Summit in downtown Toronto. As demand continues to grow for advanced connectivity, the report says Canadian telecom companies spent approximately $282 per capita on network development in 2024. But it outlines challenges providers face, including higher costs, declining revenue growth, heightened competition and a complex regulatory environment. Canadian Telecommunications Association president and CEO Robert Ghiz says it is crucial for all levels of government 'to consider the impact of their regulations and policies on the sector's ability to invest for the future and meet economic needs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025. Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian telecom sector gathers for annual summit as report touts industry investment
TORONTO - A new report says sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure is key to boosting Canada's economic growth after the sector contributed $87.3 billion in direct GDP last year. The study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which was commissioned by the Canadian Telecommunications Association, says the sector supported 661,000 jobs across various industries in 2024. Its report was released Tuesday as industry leaders and government and regulatory officials gather for the 23rd annual Canadian Telecom Summit in downtown Toronto. As demand continues to grow for advanced connectivity, the report says Canadian telecom companies spent approximately $282 per capita on network development in 2024. But it outlines challenges providers face, including higher costs, declining revenue growth, heightened competition and a complex regulatory environment. Canadian Telecommunications Association president and CEO Robert Ghiz says it is crucial for all levels of government 'to consider the impact of their regulations and policies on the sector's ability to invest for the future and meet economic needs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
03-06-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian telecom sector gathers for annual summit as report touts industry investment
TORONTO – A new report says sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure is key to boosting Canada's economic growth after the sector contributed $87.3 billion in direct GDP last year. The study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which was commissioned by the Canadian Telecommunications Association, says the sector supported 661,000 jobs across various industries in 2024. Its report was released Tuesday as industry leaders and government and regulatory officials gather for the 23rd annual Canadian Telecom Summit in downtown Toronto. As demand continues to grow for advanced connectivity, the report says Canadian telecom companies spent approximately $282 per capita on network development in 2024. But it outlines challenges providers face, including higher costs, declining revenue growth, heightened competition and a complex regulatory environment. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Canadian Telecommunications Association president and CEO Robert Ghiz says it is crucial for all levels of government 'to consider the impact of their regulations and policies on the sector's ability to invest for the future and meet economic needs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.
Cision Canada
03-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Sustained Investment in Telecommunications Infrastructure is Crucial to Building a Stronger and More Productive Canadian Economy, According to New PwC Report Français
New report analyzes the telecom sector's contribution to the Canadian economy, current industry challenges, and the importance of maintaining a healthy telecommunications sector for Canada's future global competitiveness, independence, and sovereignty. TORONTO, June 3, 2025 /CNW/ - Sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure is essential to increasing Canada's productivity, innovation and economic growth, says a new report that details how the telecommunications sector is a "key enabler of the Canadian economy." In the report, commissioned by the Canadian Telecommunications Association and titled Enabling Canada's Economic Independence and Global Competitiveness Through Telecommunications, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) highlights the telecommunications industry's far-reaching impact that enables "innovation and efficiency gains across the entire economy." The report underscores how the sector can serve as a strategic lever for safeguarding Canada's sovereignty, economic independence, and global competitiveness, and it encourages a regulatory environment that supports sustainable private sector investment in telecommunications infrastructure. PwC estimates the Canadian telecommunications sector contributed $87.3B in direct GDP and supported 661,000 jobs across industries in 2024. Importantly for the overall economy, $57.2B of this direct GDP contribution is the result of the increase in telecommunications connections leading to increased productivity and business enablement across other industries. These economic contributions were largely driven by telecom providers' significant capital investments to expand and enhance their networks. The report finds that Canadian providers invest in their networks at a higher rate than other global telecoms, spending approximately $282 per capita on network development in 2024, and that the capital intensity ratio for major Canadian telecommunications providers averaged 18% from 2020-2024, surpassing investment levels in the U.S. (14%), U.K. (17%) and Australia (10%). Despite investing at these higher levels, the report notes Canadian telecom providers continue to effectively absorb the impacts of inflation for consumers by reducing the service plan prices. For example, from February 2020 to September 2024, the lowest average monthly price for 10GB mobile plans fell by $41—a 65.1% decrease in real terms adjusted for inflation—and the lowest average monthly price of 50GB mobile plans fell by $84—a 72.5% decrease in real terms adjusted for inflation. Over the same period, the lowest average monthly price for the 50/10 Mbps Internet plans fell by $22—a 38.6% decrease in real terms adjusted for inflation—while the price of Gigabit+ plans fell by $40—a 45.2% decrease in real terms adjusted for inflation. In addition to analyzing the economic impact of the telecommunications sector, the report also shows how telecom infrastructure investments, combined with a skilled workforce, create a multiplier effect—accelerating innovation, boosting operational efficiency, and driving economic growth. It cites as examples the transformative impact of telecommunications on developing integrated and efficient trade corridors that are essential to getting Canadian goods across the country and to international markets, connecting rural communities, and modernizing traditional industries such as mining. PwC also outlines the challenges telecom providers face in sustaining the investments needed to meet Canada's growing demand for advanced connectivity. Higher costs, declining revenue growth, intense competition, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment have created unprecedented investment pressures on telecom providers. The report looks at lessons that can be learned from Europe and United States and the role that telecom policies and regulations can play in mitigating some of these challenges. "Canada's ability to increase productivity and build a stronger, more competitive and resilient economy depends on expanding and continuing to enhance its high-quality telecommunications infrastructure," said Sam O'Halloran, partner at PwC. "Policies that help ensure the sector's health and investment capacity is a strategic imperative for maintaining Canada's economic independence." "The key to generating long-term growth and independence for the Canadian economy is investment in the tools and infrastructure that will make Canadian businesses more innovative, productive, and competitive," said Robert Ghiz, President and CEO of the Canadian Telecommunications Association. "A more productive Canada will raise our GDP, increase jobs and workers' wages, and help support important social programs. Our telecom networks are the foundation of this transformation, and it is crucial for all levels of government to consider the impact of their regulations and policies on the capacity of our sector's ability to make the investments required to meet the economy's needs for advanced telecommunications." Key statistics included in the report: In 2024, Canada's telecommunications sector contributed $87.3 billion in direct GDP and supported 661,000 jobs across the economy. This includes: $30.1 billion in immediate direct GDP generated by the sector itself. $57.2 billion in direct GDP outside the sector, enabled by productivity gains and business transformation across other industries. Canadian telecommunications providers continued to invest heavily in critical infrastructure, spending $282 per capita on network development in 2024. From 2020 to 2024, major Canadian telecoms maintained a capital intensity ratio of 18%, outpacing their counterparts in the U.S. (14%), U.K. (17%), and Australia (10%). Canadian consumers continue to benefit from declining telecommunications prices: Prices for cellular services fell by 50.4% between January 2020 to December 2024, the most significant decline of any major Consumer Price Index category. 10GB plan: fell $41 (a 65.1% decrease in real terms adjusted for inflation). 50GB plan: down $84 (a 72.5% decrease in real terms adjusted for inflation). Prices for Internet access services fell 6.4% during the same period. 50/10 Mbps plan: fell $22 (a 38.6% decrease in real terms adjusted for inflation). Gigabit+ plan: down $40 (a 45.2% decrease in real terms adjusted for inflation). Enabling Canada's Economic Independence and Global Competitiveness Through Telecommunications can be accessed at About the Canadian Telecommunications Association The Canadian Telecommunications Association is dedicated to building a better future for Canadians through connectivity. Our members include service providers, equipment manufacturers, and other organizations in the telecommunications ecosystem, that invest in, build, maintain and operate Canada's world-class telecommunications networks. Through our advocacy initiatives, research, and events, we work to promote the importance of telecommunications to Canada's economic growth and social development and advocate for policies that foster investment, innovation, and positive outcomes for consumers. We also facilitate industry initiatives, such as the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada, Canadian Common Short Codes, STAC and
