With a majority now in hand, Canada’s Conservative government is expected to have an easier time moving forward with its political agenda. One item garnering attention this week is how the government will move forward with easing foreign ownership rules in the telecommunication sector. It had first announced this intention more than a year ago.
New Industry Minister Christian Paradis took to the stage yesterday at the Canadian Telecom Summit but shed little light on the government’s plans. While reconfirming his government’s commitment to a “digital economy strategy,” he gave no concrete details or timelines. He added: “Foreign ownership, meanwhile, remains an important piece of this puzzle, and one that I am personally committed to getting right.”
The government is expected to hold a 700 and 2,500MHz spectrum auction either in late 2012 or early 2013. Canadian carriers, both incumbent as well as newer players, have all begun putting forward their opinions and suggestions in an effort to make the auction as ‘fair’ as possible. Paradis only confirmed that consultations on how to structure the auction, including conditions for the new licenses, would begin later this year.