Licence transfer decision

Applications

1. On March 23, 2018, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) received an application for the transfer of eleven spectrum licences in the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS-1) band and three in the Personal Communications Services (PCS) band from Shaw Communications Inc. (Shaw) to Bell Mobility Inc. (Bell) in Atlantic Canada, Northern Ontario, Northern Québec and in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

2. The licences are described in annex A.

3. The applications were reviewed under the relevant provisions of Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-1-23, Licensing Procedure for Spectrum Licences for Terrestrial Services.

4. Capitalized terms not defined in this decision have the meaning set out in CPC-2-1-23.

Decision

5. The Licence Transfers described above are approved.

Rationale

6. The applications were assessed against the policy objectives and criteria set out in section 5.6 of CPC-2-1-23.

7. ISED notes that the Licence Transfers will not result in a significant change in spectrum concentration in the licence areas apart from the North. The North, given the low population density and challenging terrain, has proven to be a challenge in terms of providing service. The requested Licence Transfer involves spectrum that is not currently being used to provide services and will offer Bell an opportunity to put such spectrum to use for the benefit of Canadians in these areas.

8. ISED has determined that the requested Licence Transfers will not significantly impact the ability of existing or future competitors to provide services given that other national and regional licensees currently hold spectrum and the upcoming auctions will provide further opportunities to access spectrum.

Annex A