Wireless services growing part of Canadian telecom services pie
The Canadian wireless telecommunications services industry continues to grow and now makes up nearly one-fifth of total telecommunications services revenue, according to recently released figures from Industry Canada. Wireless’ portion of operating revenue has grown from 18 per cent in 2000 to 19.9 per cent based on the first nine months of 2001.
Resellers, satellite providers, and other telecommunications service providers are increasingly becoming more important as well. In 2000, they accounted for 3.7 per cent of operating revenue or $1.2 billion. For the first nine months of last year, their share grew to 5.1 per cent or $1.2 billion.
While revenue is on the rise, so are the industry’s operating expenses. In 2000, non-wireline activities accounted for 25.9 per cent of expenditures. Wireless had the greatest level with 21.6 per cent or $5.6 billion. Resellers, satellite, and other providers posted expenses of $1.1 billion or 4.3 per cent of the total $26.1 billion in operating expenses.
For the first nine months of 2001, wireless expenditures grew a full percentage point to hit 22.6 per cent or $4.6 billion. Resellers, satellite, and other telecom service providers had 6.5 per cent of total expenses or $1.3 billion.