Understanding Telecommunications in Canada: Key Statistics and Trends

Canada has a well-developed telecommunications system, with a high percentage of households having access to the internet.

According to the data, over 90% of Canadian households have access to the internet, making it one of the highest rates in the world.

This widespread access has contributed to Canada's strong digital economy, with many businesses and individuals relying on telecommunications services to operate.

The country's telecommunications industry is also highly competitive, with multiple service providers offering a range of services to consumers and businesses.

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The history of telecommunications in Canada is a fascinating story that spans over a century. The first telegraph company in Canada was the Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Company, founded in 1846.

Canada's first permanent transatlantic telegraph link was a submarine cable built in 1866 between Ireland and Newfoundland, which was a major breakthrough in telecommunications.

In 1868, Montreal Telegraph began facing competition from the newly established Dominion Telegraph Company, marking a significant shift in the industry.

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The Great North Western Telegraph Company was established in 1880 to connect Ontario and Manitoba, but it was taken over by Western Union just a year later.

By the end of World War II, Canadians were communicating by telephone more than any other country, a remarkable change from the early days of telegraphy.

In 1915, the Great North Western Telegraph Company was taken over by Canadian Northern, which marked a significant consolidation in the industry.

As of 1951, approximately 7000 messages were sent daily from the United States to Canada, highlighting the growing importance of telecommunications in international communication.

The agreement with Western Union required that U.S. company to route messages in a specified ratio of 3:1, with three telegraphic messages transmitted to Canadian National for every message transmitted to Canadian Pacific, adding complexity to the system.

In 1967, the CP and CN networks were merged to form CNCP Telecommunications, marking a major milestone in the history of telecommunications in Canada.

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Telecommunications infrastructure plays a vital role in Canada, supporting economic and social activities, critical infrastructure sectors, and government services. It's essential for emergency services and public safety.

Reliable telecommunications networks are crucial for Canadians' safety, prosperity, and well-being. The government is advancing a new Telecommunications Reliability Agenda to improve network reliability and protect Canadians.

The agenda has three pillars: Robust networks and systems, Strengthening accountability, and Coordinated planning and preparedness. These pillars will work together to ensure the reliability of telecommunications networks in Canada.

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Canada has a thriving radio landscape, with over 1,100 radio stations and audio services broadcasting as of 2016.

The majority of these stations are private commercial radio stations, accounting for over three quarters of radio stations in Canada, with a total of 711 stations.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, or CBC, operates as a public broadcaster, offering a range of radio services to the public.

Radio stations in Canada are identified by unique call signs, which are assigned by the government, and can start with a variety of letters, including CF, CH, CI, CJ, and CK, with some stations using codes beginning with VE and VF to identify radio repeater transmitters.

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The Telecommunications Reliability Agenda is a crucial set of actions aimed at improving the reliability of telecommunications networks in Canada. This agenda has three key pillars that will help protect Canadians.

The first pillar, Robust networks and systems, is essential for ensuring that telecommunications networks can withstand disruptions and continue to function smoothly.

The government is advancing this agenda to improve the reliability of telecommunications and better protect Canadians.

Strengthening accountability is the second pillar, which will help identify and address issues before they become major problems.

Coordinated planning and preparedness is the third pillar, which will enable the government and industry to work together to prevent and respond to disruptions.

Here are the three pillars of the Telecommunications Reliability Agenda in a nutshell:

In Canada, telecommunications are overseen by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The CRTC works with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on various technical aspects, including allocating frequencies and call signs.

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The CRTC's role is outlined under the provisions of the Telecommunications Act and Radiocommunication Acts. This ensures that telecommunications in Canada are regulated effectively.

Here are some key initiatives and legislation related to telecommunications in Canada:

The CRTC also examines the performance of telecommunications companies, such as Rogers, in response to public concerns.

The Canadian government plays a crucial role in overseeing telecommunications through the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The CRTC is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Telecommunications Act and Radiocommunication Acts.

Federally, telecommunications are overseen by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (formerly Industry Canada). They work together on various technical aspects, including allocating frequencies and call signs, managing the broadcast spectrum, and regulating other technical issues.

The CRTC, in collaboration with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, also manages the broadcast spectrum and allocates frequencies and call signs. This ensures that telecommunications services operate smoothly and efficiently.

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Canada is part of the North American Numbering Plan for area codes, and the Canadian Numbering Administration Consortium is responsible for allocating and managing area codes in Canada. This helps to maintain consistency and clarity in telecommunications services.

The CRTC works closely with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to regulate technical issues, including interference with electronics equipment. This ensures that telecommunications services are reliable and secure.

Here is a list of some of the key government initiatives and legislation related to telecommunications:

The Canadian Advisory Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the country's telecommunications landscape.

One notable committee is the Canadian Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (CSTAC), which received a letter from Minister Champagne.

CSTAC has made recommendations for telecom network resiliency, which can be found in their PDF report (473 KB).

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Labour productivity in the telecommunications industry has been on the rise. In 2013, it stood at $138.70 per hour, and by 2023, it had increased to $172.30 per hour.

This growth is notable, especially when compared to the rest of the service-producing businesses, which only saw a rise from $48.50 per hour to $53.90 per hour over the same period. The telecommunications industry's productivity level is significantly higher than that of all service-producing businesses, at $172.30 per hour compared to $53.90 per hour.

The industry's productivity level has seen fluctuations over the years, with a notable decrease from $176.00 per hour in 2022 to $172.30 per hour in 2023. However, the overall trend is one of steady growth.

Here's a breakdown of the labour productivity levels in the telecommunications industry and all service-producing businesses from 2013 to 2023:

The data shows that the telecommunications industry's productivity level has been consistently higher than that of all service-producing businesses.

The Canadian Digital Landscape is a key aspect of the country's telecommunications. Minister Champagne has taken steps to improve the reliability and resilience of Canada's digital infrastructure through initiatives like the Canadian Forum for Digital Infrastructure Resilience (CFDIR).

A notable example of this is Minister Champagne's letter to CFDIR, which highlights the importance of improving the digital infrastructure. The goal is to ensure that Canada's digital infrastructure can withstand various disruptions and continue to function smoothly.

One of the main focuses of CFDIR is to improve the reliability and resilience of Canada's digital infrastructure, as outlined in their mission statement "Improving the Reliability and Resilience of Canada's Digital Infrastructure".

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Television is a staple in Canadian households, with a whopping 762 TV services broadcasting in the country as of 2018. This includes both conventional television stations and discretionary services.

Cable and satellite TV are widely available throughout Canada, making it easy for people to access their favorite shows and channels. The largest cable providers are Bell Canada, Rogers Cable, Vidéotron, Telus, and Cogeco.

One of the biggest players in the Canadian TV market is Bell Canada, which also offers satellite TV services through its Bell Satellite TV platform.

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The Canadian Digital Resilience Forum, also known as CFDIR, plays a significant role in improving Canada's digital infrastructure.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, has taken a personal interest in CFDIR, as evident from his letter to the organization.

One of the key areas of focus for CFDIR is improving the reliability and resilience of Canada's digital infrastructure.

The economic impact of the mobile telecommunications industry in Canada is significant. The industry's gross value added represented 1.2% of Canada's gross domestic product at basic prices in 2021.

According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, the industry's economic impact can be broken down into three categories: direct, indirect, and induced value added. Direct value added refers to the value created by the industry itself, indirect value added refers to the value created by the industry's supply chain, and induced value added refers to the value created by the industry's impact on spending from wages generated by the production of the industry.

Here is a breakdown of the industry's economic impact by region in 2021:

The mobile telecommunications industry also creates a significant number of jobs in Canada, with an estimated 156,600 jobs created in 2023. This includes jobs created by the industry itself, its supply chain, and impacts on spending from wages generated by the production of the industry.

The economic impact of the mobile telecommunications industry is a significant contributor to Canada's GDP. In 2021, the gross value added of the industry represented 1.2% of Canada's GDP at basic prices.

The industry's economic impact varies by region, with the Atlantic Region having the highest share of GDP at 1.3%. The industry also creates a substantial number of jobs, with an estimated 156,600 jobs created in 2023.

Here's a breakdown of the number of jobs created by the industry in 2023, by region:

Labour productivity in the telecommunications industry is also an important factor, with a labour productivity level of $172.30 per hour in 2023, higher than the value for all service-producing businesses ($53.90 per hour).

Households across all income quintiles spent approximately $87 per month on Internet access services in 2023, which is 1.2% of total monthly expenditures after tax.

The monthly spending on Internet access services varied by income quintile, with the lowest quintile spending around $65.58 per month, and the highest quintile spending around $102.92 per month.

In 2023, the average monthly expenditure for Internet access services was $87.00 across all quintiles, up from $54.17 in 2017.

Here's a breakdown of the monthly spending on Internet access services as a percentage of total expenditures after tax, by income quintile, in 2023:

Canadians are using more mobile data than ever before. In 2023, the average monthly data usage per mobile subscriber was 7.0 GB, up from 5.7 GB in 2022.

One in six Canadians has a data plan of 30 GB or more, while almost a fifth of Canadians have a plan of 1 GB to less than 6 GB.

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The average monthly data usage per high-speed residential Internet subscription was 533.8 GB in 2023, an increase of 11% from 2022.

Here's a breakdown of the different types of monthly mobile data plans in Canada:

Mobile data usage has been steadily increasing over the years, with the average usage per subscriber reaching 7.0 GB in 2023.

Wireless networks are used to make phone calls and access the internet throughout Canada. This is made possible by the three major mobile network operators: Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility, and Telus Mobility, which have a combined 86% of market share.

These operators have invested heavily in wireless networks infrastructure and coverage. As a result, Canadians have access to reliable mobile networks. In fact, 99.5% of Canadians had access to LTE networks in 2023.

The availability of wireless networks varies across the country. However, thanks to the efforts of mobile network operators, Canadians can stay connected regardless of their location. In 2023, 93.3% of Canadians had access to 5G networks.

Here's a breakdown of the percentage of Canadians with access to LTE networks over the years:

This data shows a steady increase in LTE coverage over the years.

Mobile services and subscriptions are a crucial part of telecommunications in Canada. The three major mobile network operators - Rogers Wireless, Bell Mobility, and Telus Mobility - have a combined market share of 86%.

These operators have a significant number of subscribers, with Rogers Wireless having the largest share at 13.7 million subscribers. The number of mobile subscriptions in Canada has been steadily increasing, from 33.2 million in 2018 to 37.0 million in 2023.

The majority of Canadians have a data plan, with almost 19% having a monthly data plan of 1 GB to less than 6 GB. On the other hand, approximately one in six Canadians has a data plan of 30 GB or more.

Here's a breakdown of the different types of monthly mobile data plans in Canada:

Canadians are also increasing their data usage, with an average of 7.0 GB of mobile data per month in 2023, up from 5.7 GB in 2022.

In 2023, the number of mobile subscriptions in Canada was 37.0 million, up from 35.4 million in 2022. This represents a steady increase in mobile subscriptions over the years, from 33.2 million in 2018.

The three most recent data points for mobile subscriptions are 33.6 million in 2021, 35.4 million in 2022, and 37.0 million in 2023. Due to changes in accounting methods, comparisons of data prior to 2020 should be done with caution.

Mobile subscriptions are defined by SIM cards tied to an active phone number, as of December 31. This means that the 37 million mobile subscriptions in Canada in 2023 represent a significant portion of the population with access to mobile services.

Here are the numbers of mobile subscriptions in Canada from 2018 to 2023:

In 2022, almost a fifth of Canadians had a monthly data plan of 1 GB to less than 6 GB. This plan size is a popular choice among Canadians.

The majority of Canadians with data plans have a plan size that falls within the 1-30 GB range. Here's a breakdown of the different plan sizes and their corresponding percentages:

One in six Canadians has a data plan of 30 GB or more, which is a significant increase in data usage over the years.

In 2023, households across all income quintiles spent approximately $87 per month on Internet access services, which is 1.2% of their total monthly expenditures after tax.

This average monthly expenditure has been steadily increasing over the years, from $54.17 in 2017 to $87.00 in 2023.

The percentage of households with a cellphone and no landline has also been on the rise, reaching 60.9% in 2023, up from 20.2% in 2013.

In fact, the number of mobile subscriptions in Canada has been increasing, reaching 37.0M in 2023, up from 35.4M in 2022.

Here's a breakdown of the average monthly expenditure on Internet access services by income quintile in 2023:

This data shows that households in the lowest quintile spent the highest percentage of their total expenditures on Internet access services, at 1.9%.

In Canada, private and public industries invested a significant amount in communications networks, with a total of $7.8 billion invested in 2023, including $3.3 billion in optical fibre cables.

This investment is a crucial aspect of the telecommunications industry, enabling the expansion and improvement of services such as internet and phone connectivity. The industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and infrastructure being developed to meet the growing demands of Canadians.

The capital expenditures in the wired and wireless telecommunications industry were estimated to be $10.9 billion in 2024, with a capital expenditure per capita of $261.83. This breaks down the industry's spending into new capital construction expenditures and capital machinery expenditures, which include assets such as telecommunication cables, towers, poles, computers, and telephone and data communications equipment.

Here is a breakdown of the annual capital expenditures in the industry:

Monthly Access Spending is a crucial aspect of investment in telecommunications infrastructure.

Households across all income quintiles spent approximately $87 per month on Internet access services in 2023. This amount represents 1.2% of total monthly expenditures after tax.

The monthly expenditure on Internet access services varies by income quintile, with the lowest quintile spending $65.58 and the highest quintile spending $102.92 in 2023.

The Internet access services expenditure as a percentage of total expenditures also differs across income quintiles, ranging from 0.9% for the highest quintile to 1.9% for the lowest quintile in 2023.

The average monthly expenditure for Internet access services has been increasing over time, from $54.17 in 2017 to $87.00 in 2023 across all quintiles.

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Investment plays a crucial role in the growth and development of the telecommunications industry.

In Canada, private and public industries invested a significant amount in communications networks, with a total of $7.8 billion in 2023. This investment includes $3.3 billion in optical fibre cables.

The growth of the telecommunications industry requires substantial investment in infrastructure and capital expenditures. In the wired and wireless telecommunications industry, capital expenditure was estimated to be $10.9 billion in 2024, or roughly $262 per Canadian.

Here's a breakdown of the annual capital expenditures in the wired and wireless telecommunications industry:

Capital expenditure includes new capital construction expenditures, as well as capital machinery expenditures.

Canada has a relatively high level of telecom competition, with four major wireless service providers: Rogers, Bell, Telus, and Freedom Mobile.

The country's telecom landscape is shaped by the Wireless Code, which sets rules for wireless service providers to ensure fair treatment of customers.

The Wireless Code requires providers to obtain explicit customer consent before charging them for services they didn't ask for.

In 2019, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) imposed a ban on three-year wireless contracts, giving consumers more flexibility.

The CRTC also requires providers to clearly disclose their data and voice pricing, making it easier for consumers to compare plans.

Canada's telecom market is also characterized by the presence of smaller regional providers, such as Videotron and Eastlink, which offer competitive services in their areas.

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