Economic and Societal Impact
Canada’s mobile wireless industry has not only transformed the way in which Canadians communicate, work, and play, it also fuels economic growth and innovation while also helping in the fight against climate change.
Learn more about Canadian telecom industry’s economic impact
Learn more about how 5G will help the environment
World-Leading Wireless Networks
Despite having a population spread across vast regions, Canada’s facilities-based carriers have implemented some of the world’s fastest and most reliable wireless networks, reaching every province and territory. Independent network analyst, Opensignal, describes Canada as a “4G superpower”, with “few other countries better prepared than Canada to deploy 5G networks of the future.” (Opensignal, State of Mobile Networks: Canada, February 2018)
Learn more about Canada’s world-leading wireless networks
Learn more about Canada’s wireless coverage
Investment
Canada’s leadership in wireless is possible only because of the significant investments made by Canadian facilities-based carriers, the companies who build and operate Canada’s world-class wireless networks. Facilities-based carriers include Bell, Rogers, TELUS, Shaw/Freedom, Videotron, SaskTel, Eastlink, Xplore Mobile, and Tbaytel.
Learn more about investment in the telecom industry
Canadians Increasingly Rely on Wireless Services
Wireless services have become an integral part of Canadians’ lives. Whether to stay in touch with family and friends, consume content, or work while on the move, wireless services have become indispensable for most Canadians.
Data Consumption Continues Strong Growth
Canadians consume more wireless data than ever, and the speed and reach of Canada’s leading mobile wireless networks allow them to do this. Forecasts indicate that this growth will continue for the foreseeable future.
Learn more about how Canadians use mobile wireless
Declining Prices
As an ever-increasing number of consumers switch to larger data plans, the prices of those plans continue to decrease.
Learn more about Canadian wireless prices
Industry Reports
- Connecting Canadians during COVID-19: The impact of the wireless and wireline industry in 2020 and beyond, Accenture, 2021 – Examines the economic impact of the wireless and wireline industry on the Canadian economy in 2020 while also providing a perspective on the role that telecommunications has played in connecting Canadians during COVID-19
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Understanding the increasing value of wireless services for Canadians, PwC, 2021 – Assesses the value that Canadians receive from their wireless services
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Understanding the cost and quality of networks across the G20 – PwC, September 2021
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Communications Market Reports, 2022 – CRTC’s annual tool for analyzing the evolving state of Canada’s communication system
- Investing in Canada’s Digital Infrastructure: The Economic Impact of Wireless/Wireline Broadband and the Post-COVID Recovery – December 2020
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Managing Networks in Unprecedented Times – CWTA, August 2020
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The Benefits of the Wireless Telecommunications Industry to the Canadian Economy – Nordicity, January 2020
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5G and economic growth: an assessment of GDP impacts in Canada, GSMA, 2020 – Evaluates Canada’s readiness for 5G, assesses the macroeconomic impacts from the introduction of 5G, and identifies key barriers to 5G rollout reaching its full economic potential
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Accelerating 5G in Canada: The Role of 5G in the Fight Against Climate Change, Accenture, 2020 – Highlights the importance of new wireless technologies, such as 5G, in reducing Canada’s carbon footprint
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Accelerating 5G in Canada: Benefits for Cities and Rural Communities, Accenture, 2019 – Explores the benefits of four 5G uses cases in select Canadian cities and rural settings
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Fuel for Innovation: Canada’s Path in the Race to 5G, Accenture, 2018 – Examines the economic benefits to Canada of adopting 5G
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Understanding Affordability of Consumer Mobile Wireless Services in Canada, PwC, 2019 and 2020 – Examining the affordability of wireless services for Canadian households, including in light of the launch of unlimited data plans
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Understanding the impacts of MVNOs in Canada – Part 1, PwC, 2020 – Examines the implications of mandating wholesale access to MVNOs in Canada for the Canadian telecom industry and the broader Canadian economy
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Understanding the impacts of MVNOs in Canada – Part 2, PwC, 2020 – Looks at delays to Canada’s 5G rollout that could result from mandating wholesale MVNO access and related economic concerns
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The importance of a healthy telecommunications industry to Canada’s high tech success, PwC, 2020 – Identifies cost drivers for telecom companies in the context of a healthy industry in which companies can maintain the investment levels necessary to deploy up-to-date networks
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Key Cost Drivers of Mobile Wireless Services in Canada, Christensen Associates, 2020 – Implications for wireless pricing with U.S. comparisons included
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A Comparison of the Mobile Wireless Value Proposition, NERA Consulting, 2020 – Compares differences in network quality and plan characteristics to determine the actual value proposition that consumers receive
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In The Balance: Future-proofing Canada’s digital infrastructure to unlock benefits for all, BCG, 2019 – Examines the long-term imperatives of network quality and digital innovation in the context of international case studies, Canada’s trajectory, and potential paths forward
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Benchmarking the Global 5G User Experience – Analyzes the real-world 5G experience of mobile users in 12 leading 5G markets
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Rural Canada’s Mobile Network Experience, Opensignal, 2020 – Examines nationwide mobile operator data to see how rural users’ experiences compares to urban mobile users
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Additional Opensignal Reports – Including the State of Mobile Network Experience, providing a guide to the performance of mobile networks across the world
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Mobile Economy North America, GSMA, 2020 – Insights on the state of the mobile industry in North America, including forecasts out to 2025.
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Ericsson Mobility Report, November 2021 – Analyzes trends in the mobile industry and the growth of mobile technology, based on past and current data
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The Value of 5G Services: Consumer Perceptions, Nokia, 2020 – International research on consumer expectations for 5G, augmented with qualitative data and focus group insights
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VNI Forecast Highlights (2018-2023), Cisco, 2020 – Major global mobile data traffic projections and growth trends
Canadian wireless subscriber numbers:
