Canadian telecom sector gathers for annual summit as report touts industry investment

TORONTO — Leaders in Canada’s telecommunications sector are urging policymakers to make it more attractive for companies to invest in improved infrastructure, as a new report says sustained spending by carriers is key to boosting economic growth.

The study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which was commissioned by the Canadian Telecommunications Association, said the sector contributed $87.3 billion in direct GDP last year while supporting 661,000 jobs across various industries.

Its report was released Tuesday as industry representatives, academics and regulatory officials gathered for the 23rd annual Canadian Telecom Summit in downtown Toronto.

The theme of the two-day conference, which continues Wednesday, is unlocking value in the telecom sector amid global economic challenges.

Speeches and panel discussions touched on topics ranging from the role of telecom networks in shaping urban transportation, public safety, and accessible communication technology.

As demand continues to grow for advanced connectivity, the report said Canadian telecom companies spent about $282 per capita on network development in 2024.

That’s higher than peer countries such as the U.S., where telecoms devoted approximately $193 per capita in capital spending last year, and the U.K., where that measure stood at $225 per capita.

The report said Canadian telecom companies invested 18 per cent of their revenue on capital expenditures in 2024, which was also a higher rate than both other countries.

But it outlined challenges providers face, including higher costs, declining revenue growth, heightened competition and a complex regulatory environment.

“Relative to our peers globally, Canada does have a restrictive and very difficult business environment at the moment,” said Sam O’Halloran, strategy and consulting director for PwC Canada, in a speech to attendees.

That’s on top of “natural” challenges Canadian providers face, such as the country’s geography that makes it more expensive to reach remote communities when building networks, O’Halloran said.

He added that with natural disasters becoming increasingly common, Canadian providers face resiliency obstacles, along with “tight windows to build” due to long winter seasons.

“This makes it more costly for Canadian telcos to deploy capital and deploy networks,” O’Halloran said.

Robert Ghiz, president and CEO of the Canadian Telecommunications Association, said in a statement that it is crucial for all levels of government “to consider the impact of their regulations and policies” on the sector’s ability to invest for the future and meet economic needs.

“The key to generating long-term growth and independence for the Canadian economy is investment in the tools and infrastructure that will make Canadian businesses more innovative, productive and competitive,” said Ghiz, who was scheduled to address the conference Tuesday afternoon.

“A more productive Canada will raise our GDP, increase jobs and workers’ wages, and help support important social programs. Our telecom networks are the foundation of this transformation.”

CRTC vice-chair Adam Scott was slated to deliver remarks later in the day about the regulator’s goals for quality, coverage and price when it comes to telecom policy.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025.

Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press