Telus 2015 Annual Report Download - page 25

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25
Radiocommunications authorizations and spectrum licences
TELUS subsidiaries hold radio authorizations for a variety of wireless services and
applications, both mobile and fixed, including for 1.9 GHz personal communications
services (PCS) spectrum throughout Canada, 800 MHz SMR/ESMR spectrum in all of
the major Canadian markets, and 25 MHz of cellular 850 MHz spectrum in Alberta, B.C.
and Eastern Québec. TELUS also was successful in obtaining AWS-1 spectrum licences
for an average of approximately 16 MHz covering a national footprint in Innovation,
Science and Economic Development Canada’s spectrum auction in 2008. In addition,
TELUS holds various radio spectrum licences in the 2.3 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 24/38 GHz
bands throughout Canada, as well as other spectrum licences used for the provision of
paging and other miscellaneous wireless services.
On March 14, 2011, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada released
its decision concerning the Renewal Process for Cellular and PCS Spectrum Licences.
This decision confirmed that where all conditions of licence for the current PCS/cellular
licences have been met, licensees will be eligible to be issued a new licence for a 20-
year term. This decision also determined that annual fees for these licences, including
those spectrum licences from the 2001 PCS spectrum auction expiring in the 2011
timeframe, will be frozen at current rates.
In 2013, TELUS acquired Public Mobile, a Canadian wireless communications operator
with 1.9 GHz personal communications services G block spectrum licenses in Ontario
and Quebec, representing an equivalent of 5.9 MHz of spectrum nationally.
In 2014, TELUS purchased 2.3 GHz wireless communications services spectrum
licences from Nextwave Canada, representing an equivalent of 4.5 MHz of spectrum
nationally.
The Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada auction for spectrum in
the 700 MHz band was completed in February 2014, with TELUS acquiring a national
average of 19.2 MHz (16.6 MHz net) of spectrum for $1.14 billion.
In March 2015, TELUS was successful in obtaining a national average of 15 MHz of 1.7
GHz/2.1 GHz spectrum in the AWS-3 auction. TELUS obtained spectrum in Ontario and
Quebec, and all of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba for $1.51
billion.
The Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada auction for spectrum in
the 2500 MHz band was completed in May 2015, with TELUS acquiring a national
average of 40 MHz of spectrum for $479 million.
See Section 10.4 Regulatory matters in the 2015 annual MD&A for further details related
to regulation generally and specifically in relation to AWS-4 spectrum licensing
framework, policy changes in the 3500 MHz band and the 600 MHz spectrum
repurposing decision.
Broadcasting services
TCC holds Class 1 Regional broadcasting distribution licences to serve areas in each of
B.C., Alberta and Quebec. TCC also holds a national licence to operate a video-on-