Canada Launches Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) Auction

The government of Canada opened its Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum auction. A total of 105 megahertz (MHz) of radio spectrum will be open for bidding, which includes 40 MHz of AWS spectrum for new entrants and another 65 MHz of spectrum for all bidders. The auction will unfold over many scheduled rounds. Bidding will occur electronically over the Internet using secure encryption technology. After each round of bidding is completed, the results will be made available to bidders and to the general public.


Following the close of the auction, winning bidders will be required to submit ownership and control documentation and to complete various payment transactions within 30 business days. Once these steps have been completed, Industry Canada will review the information submitted by each bidder and issue licences as appropriate.


"Our government's intentions are clear: to achieve lower prices, better service and more choice for consumers and business. We believe in relying on market forces to the maximum extent feasible because competition benefits consumers, and consumers benefit most when markets are as competitive as they can be." stated Jim Prentice, Canada's Minister of Industry.http://www.ic.gc.ca/spectrumauctions