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Cision Canada
07-08-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Statement by the Canadian Telecommunications Association on the Government's Decision Regarding the CRTC's Wholesale Internet Access Framework
OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Telecommunications Association is extremely disappointed that the Government of Canada has chosen not to alter the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) wholesale internet access framework, despite widespread opposition from across the industry, including smaller independent network operators and wholesale providers. This decision undermines the very goals it claims to support. It discourages investment, weakens competition, and ultimately harms Canadian consumers. Rather than promoting facilities-based competition and incentivizing the continued deployment of world-class broadband infrastructure, the CRTC's policy discourages network construction and long-term investment. At a time when the federal government has made critical infrastructure a national priority to strengthen Canada's resilience and economic independence, this policy has led to a reduction of more than $1.5 billion in capital investment in telecommunications networks. Billions more in lost investment are expected because of this policy. These are investments that would have expanded connectivity, created good jobs for Canadians, and advanced Canada's digital future. While the Government and CRTC have characterized the decision as pro-competitive, it achieves the opposite by undercutting the smaller independent service providers the wholesale regime was originally meant to support. "Canada is now an outlier among its peers. In other advanced economies, wholesale access is designed to support smaller competitors and new entrants, without eroding the incentives to build and expand network infrastructure," said Robert Ghiz, President & CEO, Canadian Telecommunications Association. "This reversal of principle will reduce meaningful competition, limit consumer choice, and slow progress in connecting underserved communities. We urge the government to undo the damage caused by this policy and work with the industry to establish a policy framework that supports sustainable investment, facilities-based competition, and long-term benefits for all Canadians." 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
Associated Press
07-08-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Statement by the Canadian Telecommunications Association on the Government's Decision Regarding the CRTC's Wholesale Internet Access Framework
OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Telecommunications Association is extremely disappointed that the Government of Canada has chosen not to alter the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's (CRTC) wholesale internet access framework, despite widespread opposition from across the industry, including smaller independent network operators and wholesale providers. This decision undermines the very goals it claims to support. It discourages investment, weakens competition, and ultimately harms Canadian consumers. Rather than promoting facilities-based competition and incentivizing the continued deployment of world-class broadband infrastructure, the CRTC's policy discourages network construction and long-term investment. At a time when the federal government has made critical infrastructure a national priority to strengthen Canada's resilience and economic independence, this policy has led to a reduction of more than $1.5 billion in capital investment in telecommunications networks. Billions more in lost investment are expected because of this policy. These are investments that would have expanded connectivity, created good jobs for Canadians, and advanced Canada's digital future. While the Government and CRTC have characterized the decision as pro-competitive, it achieves the opposite by undercutting the smaller independent service providers the wholesale regime was originally meant to support. 'Canada is now an outlier among its peers. In other advanced economies, wholesale access is designed to support smaller competitors and new entrants, without eroding the incentives to build and expand network infrastructure,' said Robert Ghiz, President & CEO, Canadian Telecommunications Association. 'This reversal of principle will reduce meaningful competition, limit consumer choice, and slow progress in connecting underserved communities. We urge the government to undo the damage caused by this policy and work with the industry to establish a policy framework that supports sustainable investment, facilities-based competition, and long-term benefits for all Canadians.' 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 SOURCE Canadian Telecommunications Association
Cision Canada
07-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Happy 40th! Canada Celebrates Four Decades of Mobile Connectivity Français
Canadian Telecommunications Association celebrates four decades of innovation and investment in connectivity. OTTAWA, ON , July 7, 2025 /CNW/ - Forty years ago, Canada's first mobile wireless networks were launched—an innovation that laid the foundation for the connected world we live in now. While cell phones were the size of bricks, coverage was limited, and the idea of video chatting or streaming on the go seemed more science fiction than reality, those early networks marked the beginning of a transformation that continues to shape our society. Today, the Canadian Telecommunications Association is proud to mark the 40th anniversary of mobile wireless services in Canada with the launch of a new website showcasing how far wireless has come. "In 1985, mobile phones could only make voice calls on analog networks, with coverage primarily in urban centres" said Robert Ghiz, President and CEO of the Canadian Telecommunications Association. "Now, mobile connectivity is the backbone of our digital economy, our social lives, and our emergency response systems. It's hard to imagine life without it." From voice-only analog calls to today's high-speed 5G networks, wireless has evolved into a critical enabler of digital lifestyles, smart infrastructure, and economic growth—transforming virtually every corner of our society. The new campaign highlights: A timeline of wireless evolution from 1G to 5G A look back at how much our devices, and connected lives, have changed A heartfelt video spotlighting life-changing moments made possible by mobile A quiz inviting Canadians to remember their first cell phone And it's not just about nostalgia. The campaign also recognizes the billions of dollars invested by Canada's facilities-based wireless providers to build and maintain one of the world's most advanced telecommunications infrastructures. "As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we also look to the future," added Ghiz. "Canada's continued leadership in wireless requires a policy environment that supports investment, innovation, and inclusive connectivity for all Canadians." To learn more, visit and share your wireless memories on social media using #ConnectedAnniversary. 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
Hamilton Spectator
01-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
From bulky car phones to pocket computers, cellphones mark 40 years in Canada
MONTREAL - Pierre Robitaille remembers feeling embarrassed in 1985 when he made his cellphone calls from a bulky device that came with its own carrying case. Now 86 years old, Robitaille was one of the first people in Canada to sign up for a wireless plan when they became available 40 years ago, on July 1, 1985. As an electrician, Robitaille wanted a way to keep in touch with colleagues and clients while on the road at various construction sites. First came a car phone, then came the early hand-held versions, which included a mobile device and a suitcase in which to carry it. 'It wasn't very heavy but it was embarrassing, it was big,' Robitaille said of the mid-80s cellphone, in an interview from his home in the western Quebec town of St-André-Avellin. The first wireless call in Canadian history took place 40 years ago on July 1, 1985, when then-Toronto mayor Art Eggleton used a 10-pound mobile phone to call his Montreal counterpart, Jean Drapeau. Telecommunications company Rogers says that in the first month, mobile networks in Canada handled 100 calls per day. Today, that number has risen to 100 million calls, as well as 6.5 billion megabytes of data on the Rogers network alone. Oakville, Ont., resident Peter Kent was another early mobile phone adopter — though the initiative came from his boss rather than himself. His car phone had to be installed professionally and cost around $3,500, he recalled in a recent interview. At first, he was unsure if he should be thankful for the new connectivity. 'I said, 'why are we doing this?' And then (my boss) said, 'well, when I want you, I want you.'' Kent, however, soon started to enjoy his new phone. He recalls driving with his wife to his mother-in-law's home and making a call from her driveway. 'She said, 'where are you?' And I said, I'm in your driveway,' Kent recalled. 'She couldn't believe it. She ran to the door with her cordless phone and she could see me talking in the car.' Eric Smith, the senior vice-president for the Canadian Telecommunications Association, said the early commercial cellular services were limited to voice calling in select urban areas and involved 'very large, bulky devices' with limited battery time. Users were charged by the minute. 'If you flash forward 40 years, people really have more than just the capability of calling, and they have a kind of a computer in their pocket,' he said. Today, some 99 per cent of areas where people live and work in Canada have some form of mobile coverage, he said. Smith said that initially, there was skepticism about whether cellular service would be widely embraced. 'It required a large investment by companies in a country that's very large geographically with a widely dispersed population,' he said. 'And some people thought that the companies who were investing in this were taking a very big risk.' Over time, the cellphones evolved from offering calls only, followed by text messaging, early internet connectivity and later a range of features from cameras to GPS. 'It's hard to think of things you can't do on your mobile device,' Smith said. Smith says there are still hurdles that remain for Canadian telecommunications, including poor connectivity in rural areas and 'regulatory challenges' that he says can discourage investment. In recent years, there have been questions around cellphone use, especially among children. Several jurisdictions have banned phones in classrooms, while Quebec has gone a step further in prohibiting them on elementary and high school grounds. Robitaille sees both the good and bad. He believes their widespread use among children is problematic because of the type of sensitive and vulgar content they have access to. On the other hand, as a senior who lives alone, his phone is an important tool to stay in touch with his friends and his children. Kent, meanwhile, is convinced that cellphones have made life in Canada easier — despite the pressure to remain always connected — although he says he's happy he only got one as an adult. Smith says the mobile industry is still evolving. Increasingly, connectivity is expanding beyond phones to other devices: everything from cars to appliances are connected to the internet, while internet-enabled sensors monitor conditions in the agriculture and mining industries. He says it's hard to know what the future will be, as people continue to adopt different forms of technology, enabled by increased computing power and innovation. 'I'm excited to see what happens, but I don't think anyone really knows what it's going to look like 40 years from now,' Smith said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 1, 2025.
Global News
01-07-2025
- General
- Global News
Cellphones mark 40 years in Canada. A look back since the 1st call
Pierre Robitaille remembers feeling embarrassed in 1985 when he made his cellphone calls from a bulky device that came with its own carrying case. Now 86 years old, Robitaille was one of the first people in Canada to sign up for a wireless plan when they became available 40 years ago, on July 1, 1985. As an electrician, Robitaille wanted a way to keep in touch with colleagues and clients while on the road at various construction sites. First came a car phone, then came the early hand-held versions, which included a mobile device and a suitcase in which to carry it. 'It wasn't very heavy but it was embarrassing, it was big,' Robitaille said of the mid-80s cellphone, in an interview from his home in the western Quebec town of St-André-Avellin. The first wireless call in Canadian history took place 40 years ago on July 1, 1985, when then-Toronto mayor Art Eggleton used a 10-pound mobile phone to call his Montreal counterpart, Jean Drapeau. Story continues below advertisement Telecommunications company Rogers says that in the first month, mobile networks in Canada handled 100 calls per day. Today, that number has risen to 100 million calls, as well as 6.5 billion megabytes of data on the Rogers network alone. Oakville, Ont., resident Peter Kent was another early mobile phone adopter — though the initiative came from his boss rather than himself. His car phone had to be installed professionally and cost around $3,500, he recalled in a recent interview. At first, he was unsure if he should be grateful for the new connectivity. 'I said, 'why are we doing this?' And then (my boss) said, 'well, when I want you, I want you.'' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Kent, however, soon started to enjoy his new phone. He recalls driving with his wife to his mother-in-law's home and making a call from her driveway. 1:39 Youth and technology: Cellphones in schools 'She said, 'where are you?' And I said, I'm in your driveway,' Kent recalled. 'She couldn't believe it. She ran to the door with her cordless phone and she could see me talking in the car.' Story continues below advertisement Eric Smith, the senior vice-president for the Canadian Telecommunications Association, said the early commercial cellular services were limited to voice calling in select urban areas and involved 'very large, bulky devices' with limited battery time. Users were charged by the minute. 'If you flash forward 40 years, people really have more than just the capability of calling, and they have a kind of a computer in their pocket,' he said. Today, some 99 per cent of areas where people live and work in Canada have some form of mobile coverage, he said. Smith said that initially, there was skepticism about whether cellular service would be widely adopted. 'It requires a large investment by companies in a country that's very large geographically with a widely dispersed population,' he said. 'And some people thought that the companies who were investing in this were taking a very big risk.' Over time, the cellphones evolved from offering calls only, followed by text messaging, early internet connectivity and later a range of features from cameras to GPS. 'It's hard to think of things you can't do on your mobile device,' Smith said. Smith says there are still hurdles that remain for Canadian telecommunications, including poor connectivity in rural areas and 'regulatory challenges' that he says can discourage investment. In recent years, there have been questions around cellphone use, especially among children. Several jurisdictions have banned phones in classrooms, while Quebec has gone a step further in prohibiting them on elementary and high school grounds. Story continues below advertisement Robitaille sees both the good and the bad. He believes their widespread use among children is problematic because of the type of sensitive and vulgar content they have access to. On the other hand, as a senior who lives alone, his phone is an important tool to stay in touch with his friends and his children. Kent, meanwhile, is convinced that cellphones have made life in Canada easier — despite the pressure to remain always connected — although he says he's happy he only got one as an adult. Smith says the mobile industry is still evolving. ly, connectivity is expanding beyond phones to other devices: everything from cars to appliances are Increasingly connected to the internet, while internet-enabled sensors monitor conditions in the agriculture and mining industries. He says it's hard to know what the future will be, as people continue to adopt different forms of technology, enabled by increased computing power and innovation. 'I'm excited to see what happens, but I don't think anyone really knows what it's going to look like 40 years from now,' Smith said.
