CWTA wants firmer commitment from feds on use of wireless for broadband rollout

Wireless technologies are poised to play a greater role in bridging the digital divide between rural and urban Canadians. Whether through advanced third generation wireless or fixed wireless, the opportunities to provide all Canadians with high-speed access to the Internet are on the horizon. The Canadian wireless industry believes that the federal government should maintain a balanced approach to debt reduction and the fiscal responsibilities on the industry, while at the same time promoting the use of wireless technology research and development. The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association has submitted its wish list on spending requirements for the federal government in its next budget and the following is an edited excerpt of that submission to the Standing Committee on Finance. To retain Canada’s competitiveness, it is imperative that the government take the necessary steps to ensure that Canada remains at the forefront of the new economy. Efforts need to be taken to ensure that Canada will continue to develop capabilities for electronic commerce. As part of those efforts, the government needs to continue to focus on reducing fiscal burdens on industry maintaining a policy of debt reduction, continuing to strategically invest in research and development, and maximizing the benefits of wireless in the new economy. The wireless Internet revolution will accelerate the development of e-commerce, creating jobs and raising the quality of life for Canadians. The industry is well poised to assist in meeting the Prime Minister’s challenge to all sectors of Canada to work toward capturing five per cent of the world’s share of e-commerce by 2003 and to conduct more than $200 billion in business this way. The wireless industry has already begun to deliver the tools that will be necessary to reach this goal. Wireless technologies will also play an important role in dealing with digital divide issues and attaining the goals outlined in the National Broadband Task Force and the G8 Digital Opportunities Taskforce. The major mobile phone manufacturers are already delivering Internet-ready phones and other devices that will allow Canadians to browse the ‘Net, purchase airline tickets, take care of their banking needs and conduct other forms of mobile commerce (m-commerce) while they are on the move. For their part, Canadian wireless carriers have and are increasingly introducing services to accommodate mobile access to the Internet. In order to maximize the economic and social benefits derived from wireless, the CWTA recommends that the government consider how wireless technologies could be incorporated into its "Connecting Canadians" programs, and in implementing the recommendations of the National Broadband Task Force. Programs such as Community Access Program, School Net and Government On Line should recognize the growing importance of wireless technologies in the development of the new economy. Wireless portal access is required to ensure access to government information through mobile units and this form of access will increasingly become important as the government seeks to address the digital divide issue facing rural Canadians. The CWTA would encourage the federal government to accept and implement the recommendations made by the task force as a means of developing the new economy and addressing access issues facing rural and Aboriginal Canadians. The new wireless Internet capability will provide a series of technological tools to address issues such as access to rural and remote communities for essential services. Wireless capability will increasingly provide access to such services as tele-medicine and tele-learning. The wireless telecommunications industry would recommend to the Standing House Committee on Finance that the government assist in the provision of affordable access by all Canadians to basic telecommunications services, including those located in rural and remote regions. As wireless technology becomes more available and economical, it will increasingly be able to provide realistic and practical solutions to the communications needs of rural/remote communities.

CWTA wants firmer commitment from feds on use of wireless for broadband rollout

News | 08/21/2001 4:00 am EDT

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