Synopsis

Canada is not among the leading OECD nations for broadband penetration, though operator investments both in fixed-line and mobile technologies are addressing shortfalls. Government policy has encouraged widespread broadband availability, particularly in rural and regional areas, resulting in 95% of Canadians being able to access broadband. Cable still leads DSL in terms of subscriber numbers, with networks upgraded with DOCSIS 3.0 technology igniting cable subscriber growth as services of up to 200Mb’s become more widely available. Fibre deployments are also gaining momentum. Prominent WiMAX network deployments include those of Barrett Xplore and Shaw Communications, which in early 2012 abandoned plans for a cellular network in favour of WiMAX/WiFi. The regulator has also upgraded the targets for basic broadband to be 5Mb/s downloads by the end of 2015. This should lead to a period of sustained development in the Canadian regional broadband sector. This report provided updated statistics, analysis and forecasts on the Canadian fixed-line and mobile broadband sector, providing statistical overviews and an analysis on operator strategies.

Key developments:

Bell acquires Quebec’s Astral Media for C$3.38 billion; Shaw Communications begins extending its WiFi network; Eastlink launches 200Mb/s service; Rogers Communications discontinues WiMAX service; regulator’s mid-2011 market data update; company operating and financial data to Q1 2012; market developments into 2012.

Companies covered in this report include:

Shaw Cablesystems, Rogers Cable Communications, Vidéotron Ltée, Cogeco Cable, Bell Canada, TELUS Corporation, MTS Allstream and SaskTel.