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• Look back on 2018 shows facilities based competition delivering positive results for Canadians
• Prices decline even as mobile data usage surges
• $50 billion in capital investments sets stage for 5G leadership

OTTAWA, Dec. 27, 2018 /CNW/ – Canadian consumers and businesses alike continued to benefit from world-class wireless services in 2018, amid ever-increasing demand for high-speed mobile connectivity. Industry reports published during the year, including recent analysis by the CRTC and ISED, show that Canadians’ consumption of mobile wireless data services is continuing to grow, that these services are being delivered across networks that are among the most advanced in the world, and prices for wireless services are declining. This demonstrates once again the value of government policies encouraging facilities-based competition, according to the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), the authority on wireless issues and trends in Canada.

“In 2018 our facilities-based carriers continued to move forward on a path of innovation and investment that has delivered the fastest wireless networks in the G7 – almost twice as fast as the U.S. – and is paving the way for the arrival 5G,” said Robert Ghiz, President & CEO of CWTA. “The recent Wall Communications report commissioned for ISED reveals that prices for wireless services in Canada are also declining. And even with the limitations in the report’s methodology – such as not accounting for the differences in network quality between countries and the many different promotions offered by Canada’s service providers – the benefits of long-standing policies encouraging facilities-based competition are clear.”

Mr. Ghiz noted that the Wall Report is just one of a number of significant findings published in 2018. In November, the Ookla Speedtest Global Index showed Canadian wireless networks have download speeds that are 144.3% faster than the global average, making Canada’s networks the fastest in the G7 and 4^th in the world.

The recently released CRTC 2018 Communications Monitoring Report showed that by the end of 2017, advanced LTE networks were available to 99% of Canadians. The report also found that Canadians’ consumption of mobile data continues to grow, with the average Canadian with a data plan consuming over 30% more data in 2017 than the previous year, and the average subscriber using 163% more data in 2017 than they did in 2014.

“These results are only possible because of capital investments of approximately $50 billion by Canada’s facilities-based operators,” said Mr. Ghiz. “It takes that level of investment to build the world-class networks Canada enjoys today, creating what OpenSignal has referred to as a ‘global 4G superpower.’ And as we approach the 5G wireless revolution, that means Canada is in a strong position to further its global lead in innovation and wireless technology.”

Wireless services and capabilities also continue to grow in significance and importance to the Canadian economy as virtually every business sector depends on Canada’s wireless industry for their success and continued growth. The industry generates over 138,000 full-time jobs and contributes in excess of $25 billion in GDP to the Canadian economy. 

About CWTA

The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in Canada. It represents companies that provide services and products across the wireless sector. Representing the industry before all levels of government and various regulatory agencies, CWTA actively promotes the industry with the goal of ensuring continued growth of the wireless sector in Canada. CWTA administers a number of initiatives on behalf of its members, including corporate social responsibility programs and the national common short codes program.

SOURCE Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association

For further information: Greg Burch, 204-250-9244, [email protected]