Speaking today at the International Institute of Communications (IIC) Canada Conference in Ottawa, Industry Minister Christian Paradis revealed little new information about possible changes to foreign ownership rules in the telecom sector and rules for the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction. He outlined one government expectation: That Canadian carriers will be expected to offer rural Canadians the same services as to their urban customers. “Our government believes that Canadians should receive the same services wherever they live,” said Paradis.
It is unlikely that any changes to foreign ownership rules will now be announced until sometime in 2012. “Given the importance and the serious impact this will have on the lives of Canadians for years to come, this is not a decision that I nor this government will be taking lightly,” Paradis added.
One proposal being considered would allow 100 percent foreign ownership of any telecom firm with less than a 10 percent market share. Needless to say, it has both its supporters and detractors.
For the auction, the government is considering not setting aside any spectrum for new players (as it did in the 2008 auction) but is looking instead at capping the amount of spectrum that a company could buy (for example, no more than 10MHz).