Spectrum – by auction/year

Total amount Canadian telecom companies spent in spectrum auctions from 1999 to 2026 in billions.

In 1999, $171.8 million spent at the 24 GHz and 38 GHz auctions.

In 2001, $1.5 billion spent at the PCS (2 GHz) auction.

In 2004, $11.2 million spent at the WCS and FWA auctions.

In 2005, $57.5 million spent at the residual WCS and FWA auctions.

In 2008, $4.3 billion spent at the AWS-1 auction.

In 2014, $5.3 billion spent at the MBS (700 MHz) auction.

In 2015, $2.9 billion spent at the 700 MHz, AWS-3, and BRS auctions.

In 2018, $100 million spent at the 700 MHz, 23-23500 MHz, PCS-G auctions.

In 2019, $3.5 billion spent at the 600 MHz auction.

In 2021, $8.9 billion spent at the 3500 MHz auction.

In 2023, $30 million spent at the residual 600 MHz, 2500 MHz, and 3500 MHz auctions, and $2.2 billion spent at the 3800 MHz auction.

In 2024, $5.6 million spent at the residual 600 MHz, 2500 MHz, 3500 MHz, and 3800 MHz auctions.

In 2026, $416 million spent at the residual 2 GHz, 2300 MHz, 3500 MHz, and 3800 MHz auctions.

Source: ISED