New Indigenous Priority Window should help bridge Canada’s digital divide: telcos, stakeholders

A recent ISED decision gives Indigenous communities and organizations early access to spectrum licences — which stakeholders say could be a turning point for Canada’s connectivity gap. Independent telcos and Indigenous advocacy groups are hailing a new federal policy that seeks to make digital connectivity more accessible for some of Canada’s most remote communities. On Jan. 16, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) released a finalized framework outlining a new Indigenous Priority Window (IPW) for unused spectrum licences that would give First Nations, Métis, and Inuit applicants early access. Spectrum refers to the various radio frequencies that enable wireless communication for text messages, phone calls, and other remote connectivities. More specifically, ISED will give Indigenous entities 12 months to apply for unused spectrum licences in the 800 MHz cellular and 1900 MHz personal communications services spectrum bands. The final list of available licences will be released April 9; the IPW opens May 28. New spectrum licences are usually purchased through federally-administered auctions, often dominated by large industry players, who spend hundreds of millions on spectrum rights. Ottawa took in more than $415 million during its latest residual spectrum licence auction earlier this month. In 2023, major telcos spent $2.16 billion on licenses in the 3,800 MHz band; two years earlier, they spent $8.91 billion on the 3,500 MHz band. However, the new IPW applies to existing spectrum licences, many of which were granted years ago. As of January 2024, those licences became subject to ISED’s “use it or lose it” policy, which will see unused spectrum either deployed by licensees or handed back to be rolled out by new users. IPW applicants have first dibs on that unused spectrum that gets returned. “The main goal of the IPW is to support Indigenous access to spectrum to develop Indigenous-led connectivity solutions that can close connectivity gaps for Indigenous communities across Canada,” reads ISED’s website. All applicants must undergo an eligibility screening before participating in the IPW and, following the window’s closure, prospective Indigenous bidders can still pursue licences during the general access period. The policy’s release follows months of consultations, during which the federal government received submissions from large wireless carriers, Indigenous community organizations, and other stakeholders. After considering various options, Ottawa rooted the framework in an applicant-based approach, which restricts access to Indigenous-owned businesses, communities, and individuals, as opposed to a more permissive model that would allow all entities to participate, so long as they secure an Indigenous community’s support. In its decision, the government wrote that “including communities in the process is important, the community-support based option has the potential to increase the complexity of applications due to… the number of Indigenous communities which fall within each licensing area.” ISED noted that 53 per cent of licences expected to be made available during the first IPW cover at least two communities. However, the government noted that community consent is still required for project proponents to build a radio tower within a certain jurisdiction. Among those that supported an applicant-based approach was TCOR Solutions, a Canadian infrastructure company focused on bringing connectivity to underserved regions. “For the longest time, there's always been an interest to develop and create these networks in rural areas or First Nations…, it’s very difficult because no spectrum is available for any company other than the major operators,” said Silvestro Galluccio, a vice-president at TCOR. “Major operators being major operators, they don’t see the value of spending money there.” “So, the idea is about how we can get some of this spectrum made available for the smaller players, so they can bring connectivity to these areas.” Certain incumbent carriers, such as Rogers Communications Inc. and Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. (Sasktel), opposed an applicant-based approach, which they said was too limited in its scope. Other major telcos, including Bell and Telus, did not submit comments during the consultation period. David Marcille, a spokesperson for Bell, said the company would not comment on the decision, but that Bell “remains committed to strengthening connectivity and supporting the long‑term success of Indigenous communities across Canada.” The CRTC suggests only 61 per cent of households on First Nations reserves have access to high-speed internet, which the regulator defines as 50/10 Mbps, as of last September; falling well behind the mark for rural areas (80.5 per cent), as well as the national average (95.8 per cent). In 2019, the federal government committed to connecting every home to high-speed internet by 2030, which, as reported by The Wire Report, remains on schedule. For Marwa Turabi, the director of public affairs for the independent telco Iristel Inc., the IPW provides an opportunity for smaller carriers interested in working collaboratively with Indigenous partners. “We see that smaller organizations and companies are more nimble and can navigate changes to society far faster because they are not beholden to a larger ecosystem,” said Turabi in an interview. “So, the team was very excited, but also optimistic about what this policy was reflecting in terms of a commitment towards ensuring the digital divide was bridged and connected across Canada for Indigenous folks.” Turabi added that Iristel, based in Markham, Ont., is currently in conversations with Indigenous officials, community members, and band leaders to address digital infrastructure issues facing certain communities. Meanwhile, the Métis National Council (MNC), which represents the 620,000-plus Métis individuals in Canada, has taken a ‘wait-and-see’ approach to the new policy, as the organization is still reviewing the applicant-based model. But, the council stated, any steps that make spectrum more accessible for Indigenous businesses and communities must be lauded. “Access to spectrum licences is foundational to building and governing telecommunications infrastructure, and to enabling Indigenous governments and organizations to participate meaningfully in connectivity, digital inclusion, and economic development,” said Victoria Pruden, the MNC’s president, in a statement. “For too long, Métis communities, particularly in rural and remote regions, have been left out of decisions affecting spectrum access and digital infrastructure deployment.” “The Indigenous Priority Window has the potential to improve access, but its success will depend on whether Métis governments and organizations can participate in ways that recognize our governance structures, geographic realities, and economic capacity.” Pruden emphasized that the IPW can simultaneously help close the connectivity gap and support Métis self-determination, but only if “done right.” Later this week, Indigenous leaders, government officials, and telco representatives will converge on Calgary, Alta., for the National Indigenous Connectivity Conference, a two-day summit devoted to improving wireless access for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples. dlegree@thewirereport.ca

New Indigenous Priority Window should help bridge Canada’s digital divide: telcos, stakeholders

Regulatory |
By Davis Legree
|February 23, 2026

A recent ISED decision gives Indigenous communities and organizations early access to spectrum licences — which stakeholders say could be a turning point for Canada’s connectivity gap.

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New Indigenous Priority Window should help bridge Canada’s digital divide: telcos, stakeholders

Regulatory | By Davis Legree |February 23, 2026

A recent ISED decision gives Indigenous communities and organizations early access to spectrum licences — which stakeholders say could be a turning point for Canada’s connectivity gap.

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