Canada - Wireless Communications - Insights, Statistics and Forecasts
The Canadian wireless industry has witnessed relatively strong subscriber growth since the country began to emerge from economic recession in late 2009. Although wireless penetration remains low by OECD standards, the emergence of new entrants in recent years, as well as the proliferation of cheaper voice and data plans, is stimulating multiple-SIM card use. The continuing decline in voice revenues per subscriber is generally offset by data revenues which averaged about 45% growth in 2011 and an anticipated 35-40% for 2012 and 2013.
Data revenues will become even more important for sector in coming years in light of their upgrades to HSPA+ networks and the rapid expansion of 4G LTE platforms: network operators extended their LTE offers to at least half of the population by early 2013, while a number of smaller regional players are also active in the market. The Advanced Wireless Services auction of 2008 overhauled Canada's wireless market providing a number of new entrants. With the exception of Shaw Communications, which recently opted to pursue a WiFi strategy, all have become players contributing to market competition.
This report provides an overview and analysis of the Canadian wireless market and the major operators, together with key statistics and select forecasts. Currency cited is Canadian dollars.
Key developments:
PTT developments from Telus; LTE network rollouts; Rogers launches LTE international roaming service; Rogers enters into network share deal with Mobilicity; Public Mobile bought by investment firms; spectrum licence transfer framework agreed; regulator prepares for 2014 700MHz auction, list of applicants revealed; Telus plans CDMS network shutdown; Mobilicity seeks to restructure finances and raise funds for spectrum bid; regulator's market data updates; 2013 Communications Monitoring Report; telcos' operating and financial data to end-2013; market developments to early 2014.
Companies covered in this report include:
Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility, Virgin Mobile Canada, Telus Mobility, SaskTel Mobility, MTS Allstream, Globalive's Wind Mobile, Mobilicity, Public Mobile, Vidéotron Wireless, and Shaw Communications.
- 1. Synopsis
- 2. Market analysis
- 3. Overview of Canada's Wireless market
- 3.1 Wireless statistics
- 3.2 Wireless revenue drivers
- 4. Regulatory overview
- 4.1 CRTC and Industry Canada
- 4.2 Spectrum licensing
- 4.2.1 Advanced Wireless Services auction
- 4.2.2 700MHz
- 4.2.3 2500MHz
- 4.2.4 2100MHz
- 4.2.5 Roaming
- 5. Wireless technologies
- 5.1 Personal communications services (PCS)
- 5.2 GSM
- 5.3 Third Generation (3G) wireless
- 5.4 Long-term Evolution (LTE) wireless
- 5.4.1 Rogers Wireless
- 5.4.2 Bell Wireless
- 5.4.3 SaskTel Mobility
- 5.4.4 Other operators
- 5.4.5 Voice-over LTE (VoLTE)
- 6. Major wireless operators
- 6.1 Rogers Wireless
- 6.2 Bell Wireless
- 6.2.1 Virgin Mobile Canada
- 6.3 Telus Mobility
- 6.4 SaskTel Mobility
- 6.5 MTS
- 6.6 New entrants
- 6.6.1 Wind Mobile
- 6.6.2 Mobilicity
- 6.6.3 Public Mobile
- 6.6.4 Vidéotron Wireless
- 6.6.5 Shaw Communications
- 7. Wireless services
- 7.1 Prepaid and postpaid services
- 7.2 Wireless data services
- 7.3 Text messaging (SMS)
- 7.4 Multimedia messaging service (MMS)
- 7.5 Mobile TV
- 7.6 Push To Talk (PTT)
- 7.7 Machine-to-machine (M2M)
- 7.8 M-payments
- 8. Forecasts
- 8.1 Wireless penetration and revenue 2011-2016
- 8.2 Notes on scenario forecasts
- 9. Related reports
- Table 1 Wireless subscribers and annual change 2000 - 2014
- Table 2 Wireless subscribers by major provider 2004 - 2012
- Table 3 Wireless operator market share of subscribers 2010 - 2012
- Table 4 Wireless provider market share by province 2011
- Table 5 Wireless provider market share by province 2012
- Table 6 Wireless industry revenue by service type 2002 - 2012
- Table 7 Wireless device penetration by type 2007 - 2013
- Table 8 Wireless revenue 2008 - 2014
- Table 9 Rogers Wireless pre and postpaid revenue, operating income 2002 - 2013
- Table 10 Rogers Wireless pre and postpaid subscribers 2009 - 2013
- Table 11 Rogers Wireless churn 2009 - 2013
- Table 12 Rogers Wireless ARPU 2009 - 2013
- Table 13 Bell Wireless operating data 2006 - 2013
- Table 14 Bell Wireless financial data 2006 - 2013
- Table 15 Telus Mobility revenue, EBITDA 2003 - 2013
- Table 16 Telus Mobility penetration and coverage 2003 - 2013
- Table 17 Telus Mobility prepaid and postpaid subscribers 2009 - 2013
- Table 18 Telus Mobility ARPU and monthly churn rate 2002 - 2013
- Table 19 SaskTel Mobility revenue 2009 - 2013
- Table 20 SaskTel Mobility subscribers 2007 - 2012
- Table 21 MTS wireless revenue, ARPU 2007 - 2013
- Table 22 MTS subscribers 2007 - 2013
- Table 23 Videotron cellular subscriber data 2008 - 2012
- Table 24 Prepaid subscribers by major operator 2004 - 2013
- Table 25 Prepaid and post-paid sector revenue 2004 - 2012
- Table 26 Mobile broadband subscribers 2011
- Table 27 Total SMS and MMS sent 2009 - 2013
- Table 28 Text messages sent per month 2002 - 2012
- Table 29 Forecast wireless subscriber, penetration lower growth scenario 2011 - 2016
- Table 30 Forecast wireless subscriber, penetration higher growth scenario 2011 - 2016
- Chart 1 Wireless subscribers and annual change 2000 - 2014
- Chart 2 Wireless subscribers by major provider 2004 2012
- Chart 3 Rogers Wireless pre and postpaid subscribers 2009 2013
- Chart 4 Bell Wireless financial data 2006 2013
- Chart 5 Telus Mobility revenue, EBITDA 2003 2013
- Chart 6 Telus Mobility prepaid and postpaid subscribers 2009 2013
- Chart 7 SaskTel Mobility subscribers 2007 2012