Rogers 2014 Annual Report Download - page 42

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Our spectrum holdings as at December 31, 2014 include:
Type of spectrum Rogers licence Who it supports
700 MHz 24 MHz in Canada’s major geographic markets, covering 99.7% of
the Canadian population.
4G LTE subscribers.
850 MHz 25 MHz across Canada. 2G GSM and 3.5G / 4G HSPA+ subscribers
(4G LTE in the future).
1900 MHz 60 MHz in all areas of Canada except 40 MHz Northern Quebec,
50 MHz in Southern Ontario and 40 MHz in the Yukon, Northwest
Territories and Nunavut.
2G GSM and 3.5G / 4G HSPA+ subscribers
(4G LTE in the future).
AWS 1700/2100 MHz 20 MHz across Canada. 4G LTE subscribers.
2500 MHz 60 MHz (40 MHz FDD plus 20 MHz TDD) in key population centres
across Canada in Eastern Quebec, Southern Quebec, Southern
and Eastern Ontario and British Columbia. Outside of these areas,
Rogers holds 20 MHz of FDD spectrum.
4G LTE subscribers.
We also have access to additional spectrum through network sharing agreements:
Type of spectrum Kind of venture Who it supports
2.3 GHz/3.5 GHz range Inukshuk Wireless Partnership is a joint operation with BCE in which
Rogers holds a 50% interest. Inukshuk holds 30 MHz (of which
20 MHz is usable) of 2.3 GHz spectrum primarily in Eastern Canada,
including certain population centres in Southern and Eastern
Ontario, Southern Quebec, and smaller holdings in New
Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia. Inukshuk also
holds 3.5 GHz licences (between 50-175 MHz) in most of the major
population centres across Canada. The arrangement initially
included 2500 MHz spectrum. This spectrum was distributed
equally to the partners late in 2012. The current fixed wireless LTE
national network utilizes the jointly held 2.3 GHz and
3.5 GHz spectrum bands.
Mobile and fixed wireless subscribers.
850 MHz, 1900 MHz AWS
spectrum
Three network-sharing arrangements to enhance coverage and
network capabilities:
• with Manitoba Telecom Services, that covers 96 percent of the
population across Manitoba;
3.5G / 4G HSPA+, 4G LTE subscribers
• with TBayTel, that covers the combined base of customers in
North Western Ontario; and
3.5G / 4G HSPA+ subscribers
• with Quebecor (Videotron) to provide LTE services across the
province of Quebec.
4G LTE subscribers.
We have certain arrangements to buy additional spectrum, subject to regulatory approvals:
Type of spectrum Transaction Who it will support
AWS-1 spectrum Acquired an option to buy Shaw’s AWS-1 spectrum holdings in
Western Canada. The option has not yet been exercised and is
subject to regulatory approval.
4G LTE subscribers.
AWS-1 spectrum Part of a larger strategic transaction with Videotron, which could
lead to the acquisition of Videotron’s Tier 3 Toronto AWS-1
spectrum. If a transaction does occur, it will be subject to
regulatory approval.
4G LTE subscribers.
38 ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT