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TAGGED AS SPECTRUM
OPINION: Canada’s spectrum framework is failing Indigenous peoples
By Mark Buell and Phil Steinhauer-Mozejko, Connect Humanity Fund In its recently released five-year Spectrum Outlook 2023 to 2027, the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) makes several commitments to Indigenous Peoples. The Spectrum Outlook outlines ISED’s overall approach to managing radio-spectrum over the next five years. This plan could provide Canada an …
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ISED releases spectrum outlook until 2027
The Department of Industry Science and Economic Development (ISED) released its Spectrum Outlook 2023-2027 late last month. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report …
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TerreStar challenges CRTC decision that spectrum sale is part of telecom service
TerreStar Solutions Inc. is challenging a CRTC decision which denied the company’s request to deduct spectrum sale and subordination revenues from its Canadian operating revenues when determining its National Contribution Fund allocations. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and …
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ISED releases consult on WCS band licence renewal
The department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is seeking comments on the conditions for licence renewals and new licences in the wireless communications service (WCS) band. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news …
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U.S. FCC considering following Canadian lead on automobile spectrum
Two U.S. senators are calling on the Federal Communications Commission to free up spectrum in the 5.9 GHz band for connected automobiles. This will reduce accidents, the pair say. If it does so, the FCC will be following Canada’s example. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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ISED releases results of residual spectrum band auction
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) has released the list of telecoms that have purchased spectrum in the most recent auction. The spectrum is in the 600 Mhz, 2500 Mhz and 3500 Mhz bands. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all …
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ISED to begin consultations on drone use in spectrum bands
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) will begin consulting with stakeholders over the use of drones in the 5030-5091 Mhz bands. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free …
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Globalive seeks to become national carrier by buying Manitoba spectrum
Frustrated in its attempt to buy Freedom Mobile back from Shaw Communications Inc., Globalive Capital Corp. has announced it wants to acquire Manitoba spectrum licences from Xplore’s now-defunct mobile brand. Globalive operated WIND Mobile until 2016 when it was sold to Shaw and rebranded as Freedom. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a …
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CanWISP worried ISED proposals will reduce rural connectivity
“Stringent” limitations proposed for the non-competitive licensing (NCL) spectrum framework means small rural internet service providers (ISPs) will “have to drastically reduce the number of rural Canadians they serve,” according to the Canadian Association of Wireless Internet Service Providers (CanWISP). This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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Videotron more effective owner of Freedom than Shaw, expert testifies
An expert witness for Shaw Communications Inc. took issue Monday with earlier testimony from Competition Bureau experts over the proposed takeover of the western telecom by Rogers Communications Inc. The Competition Tribunal is hearing from respondents’ witnesses this week. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? …
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ISED rejects transfer of Xplore licence to Telus
The department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) denied an application by Xplore Inc. for the transfer of five spectrum licences to Telus Corp. in Manitoba out of “substantial concerns” that it would harm competition in the province, which runs contrary to its policy objective for spectrum management. This content is available to …
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ISED auctioning off 42 licences left up for grabs
The department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) is auctioning off 42 spectrum licences that either remain unallocated since its respective auctions, not been renewed, have been canceled by ISED, or that have been returned by a licensee prior to the end of its term. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a …
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ISED approves Bell, Telus, spectrum licence swap
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) approved several subordination of spectrum licence applications between BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial …
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ISED issues rules for 3800 MHz spectrum auction
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) issued the rules for its next spectrum auction Thursday. The auction will begin on Oct. 24, 2023 and will feature spectrum in the 3800 MHz band. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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ISED approves spectrum licence transfer in Northern Ontario
Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) has approved a transfer of spectrum licences in the fixed wireless access band from a Sudbury, ON, telecommunications company to a municipally-owned telecommunication company in Thunder Bay, ON. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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UPDATED: Champagne to deny ‘wholesale’ transfer of spectrum from Shaw to Rogers
Updated on March 3 at 5:46 p.m. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now. FREE TRIAL Two weeks free access to thewirereport.ca and …
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Delay 3,800 Mhz auction until altimeter issues resolved, Sasktel tells ISED
Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corp. has a “simple” recommendation for the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) as it consults on the upcoming 3,800 Mhz auction: that it be delayed until the issue of 5G interference with radio altimeter (used to determine the altitude of an aircraft) is fully resolved. This content is available …
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Telesat provides satellite lessor capacity
Telesat Corp. provided satellite lessor Anuvu satellite capacity in what the companies said is the largest yet of such a deal. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe …
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Telus, Tbaytel, subordination of spectrum licences approved
The department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) approved two separate applications to subdivide and subordinate licences to Ecotel Inc. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe …
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TeraGo divestiture positive for company: Analyst
A Canaccord Genuity analyst says TeraGo Inc.’s divestiture of its cloud and colocation business lines to digital asset miner Hut 8 is a positive financial and strategic deal for the Toronto-based data services company. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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MVNOs expected in 2023; impact will be ‘manageable’ for incumbents: analyst
The advent of facilities-based mobile virtual network operators {MVNOs) made possible by the CRTC’s April 2021 wireless review decision won’t come in earnest until 2023, and when it does come, incumbent wireless operators will be able to blunt the competitive impact of such offerings by using existing product offerings, according to one analyst. This content …
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Canada avoids American confusion of 5G impact on airports
Early consultations on regulations to 5G rollout affecting air traffic seems to have resulted in Canada avoiding a dispute that roiled the American telecom market. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a …
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ISED approves Rogers spectrum subordination in Yukon
The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) approved the subordination of a spectrum licence held by Rogers Communications Inc. to SSI Micro Ltd. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take …
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Big three telecoms respond to ISED consultations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has released responses to its consultation on use of white space spectrum to service rural and remote communities. White space spectrum is spectrum not deployed by the licensee. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian …
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Indigenous connectivity needs separate funding from feds’ UBF: Telus exec
The federal government’s Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), by having rural and Indigenous connectivity initiatives lumped together, ignores the “very different” economics of connecting the two, according to Telus Corp.’s vice-president of Customer Network Implementation. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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Telus opens conference with attack on set-aside spectrum policies
MISSISSAUGA — The government’s set-aside spectrum policy has, rather than promoted competition in the telecommunication sector, instead led to underinvestment in networks and underserved communities, according to an opening keynote address from Telus Corp. executive vice president of home solutions Zainul Mawji at the 2021 edition of the Canadian Telecom Summit. This content is available …
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Internet Society releases Indigenous connectivity recommendations
Indigenous stakeholders in Canadian telecoms are renewing their calls for the government to develop a spectrum priority window for Indigenous communities and a fund set aside for Indigenous connectivity projects. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media …
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Court dismisses Telus request for injunction against Quebecor’s 3500 MHz licenses
The Federal Court has rejected a Telus Corp. request to stop the department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) from issuing licenses for set-aside spectrum won at auction by Quebecor Inc.’s Vidéotron in this past summer’s 3,500 MHz auction. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot …
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Redline partners with Utah-based mining company
The Markham-Ont.-based manufacturer of wireless network technology for mining, oil-and-gas, and utilities groups, Redline Communications Group Inc., announced in a Thursday release that it is providing Citizens Broadband Radio Systems (CBRS) spectrum and Private LTE services for a mine in Salt Lake City, Utah. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …
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Court order blocking Quebecor 3500 MHz acquisition would harm competition: ISED
The Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) has told the Federal Court that if the court were to grant the order requested by BCE Inc. and Telus Corp., and delay the issuing of set-aside spectrum licenses won in the 3,500 MHz spectrum auction to Quebecor Inc., the move would have an adverse impact …
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Spectrum license exclusivity must go: Mozilla advisor
In order to achieve better spectrum sovereignty for Indigenous communities in Canada, the government has to scrap the guarantee of exclusivity from existing spectrum licenses, so regulators can reassign unused bands, according to one policy advisor. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the …
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Telus joins Bell’s call for rollback on Quebecor spectrum acquisition
Telus Corp. has joined BCE Inc. in seeking to block Quebecor Inc. from acquiring blocks of crucial spectrum needed for the deployment of 5G in British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media …
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Bell seeks to block Quebecor set-aside 3,500 MHz purchases
BCE Inc. is going to court to stop Quebecor Inc. from purchasing valuable 5G-friendly spectrum in the 3,500 MHz band in British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba — spectrum that is a crucial part of Quebecor’s plan to take its wireless business national. In an application for judicial review filed with the Federal Court Thursday, Bell …
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3500 auction should result in “careful consideration” by gov: Bell’s Bibic
For BCE Inc. CEO Mirko Bibic, the high cost of the 3,500 MHz spectrum auction should result in the federal government making “careful consideration” in its assessment of wireless pricing going forward. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and …
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Telus talks wireless strategy after spectrum auction, Q2 results
Going forward, if Canadians are to “truly benefit” from 5G innovation and affordability, the government needs to develop “responsible, forward-looking, and predictable regulatory policy that ensures expedition, fair, and economical access to the national asset,” according to Telus Corp. president and CEO Darren Entwistle. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign …
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Eyes on Quebecor following 3500 MHz auction
As the dust settles on the results of the 3,500 MHz auction announced Thursday, much of the initial interest amongst analysts and industry watchers has centered not on the $7.31 billion spent by the so-called big three incumbents — BCE Inc., Rogers Communications Inc, and Telus Corp. — but rather on the roughly $830 million …
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BREAKING: 3500 MHz auction nets $8.9B, $7.3B from incumbents
Canadian telecom companies — and wireless service hopefuls — have spent some $8.91 billion on the 3,500 MHz band of spectrum, according to preliminary results released Thursday afternoon by the Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED). The 3,500 MHz band is widely seen as crucial to the roll out of 5G networks. Rogers …
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High spectrum costs could be driven by competition for set aside: analyst
Industry analysts are declining to speculate too much on what caused the Canadian telecom sector to have so far spent $8 billion on the 3500 MHz auction, more than double what they were predicting, however, they are not surprised to see high spending this year. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? …
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ISED ‘repurposing’ 3800 MHz spectrum band, dismissing Telesat proposal
The federal government announced Friday it is repurposing the 3800 MHz spectrum band to support 5G services, with an auction to take place in early 2023. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take …
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ISED triples spectrum available for Wi-Fi
The federal government is making more spectrum available to increase competition, rural connectivity and the effective deployment of Wi-Fi and 5G technologies. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or …
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Efficiencies defense is a ‘serious’ exercise of discretion: competition comish
Allowing a merger to proceed on the basis of the so-called “efficiencies defense” is “a very, very serious exercise of enforcement discretion to approve an otherwise anticompetitive merger,” according to the man in charge of enforcing the Competition Act. Competition Bureau commissioner Matthew Boswell made his remarks Wednesday on the final day of the House …
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StatCan starts highlighting spectrum cost data
Statistics Canada has begun to aggregate data about the results of major auctions of Canadian spectrum bandwidth. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report …
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Rogers, Shaw execs mum on spectrum at Industry committee
On the opening day Monday of hearings into Roger’s proposed acquisition of Shaw, MPs on the House of Commons Industry Committee sought answers from the companies’ executives on whether or not the two companies seek to hold on to Shaw’s discounted spectrum, and how the merger would affect wireless prices in Canada. On the spectrum …
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Regulatory approval of Rogers-Shaw deal will hinge on wireless: Execs, analysts
From the perspective of Rogers Communications Inc. CEO Joe Natale, regulatory approval of his company’s $26.2 billion acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc. will come down to the views of the various regulators on how the deal impacts the wireless market in western Canada. The wireless business, Natale pointed out on a Monday morning conference call …
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Telecoms split on ISED’s proposed approach to opening 6 GHz band
The federal government’s proposal to open up the 6 GHz spectrum band for WiFi use has received broad support in an Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada consultation. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you …
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ISED proposal to displace spectrum for fixed wireless divides ISPs
A pair of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada proposals on changes to midband spectrum allocation that would affect fixed wireless service has drawn a mixed response from telecoms. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news …
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Telecoms object to Telesat’s proposal to auction 3800 MHz spectrum
A number of Canadian wireless providers have objected to a proposal that could allow satellite operator Telesat Holdings Inc. to sell off part of the 3800 MHz spectrum, instead of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, which typically conducts auctions for spectrum allocation. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in …
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Telesat pitches plan to fast-track sale of 3800 MHz spectrum
Canadian satellite operator Telesat Holdings Inc. has spruiked its proposal to fast track the auction of 200 MHz of spectrum in the 3800 MHz spectrum band, stating in a Tuesday release that it’s the “only actionable path to rapidly deploy true 5G service in Canada and to connect rural and remote Canadian communities with fast, …
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$263M in deferred spectrum fees due Tuesday: ISED
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada won’t give any more extensions on the payment of spectrum fees, which are due Sept. 1, the department said. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a …
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ISED says department has ‘done well’ with working from home
Innovation, Science, and Economic Development says it is moving toward establishing a hybrid work-from-home model that will see increasing numbers of employees return to office work in a series of phases. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital …
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Half of spectrum licencees opted to use ISED’s COVID flexibility
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada allowed companies to defer about $263 million in spectrum and radio licence fees and made other changes to its spectrum licence procedures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, …
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Experts say 5G will eventually deliver, but a speed boost for now
Experts are unanimous in saying Canada’s 5G networks will eventually deliver on their promise, transforming the way we use the internet and leading to an uptake in exciting technologies like augmented and virtual reality, autonomous vehicles and remote surgery. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? …
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ISED delays 3500 MHz auction by six months
The 3500 MHz spectrum auction, originally scheduled for December of this year, will now take place in June 2021, the federal government said Friday. This content is available to wirereport.ca subscribers Already a subscriber? Sign in here LOGIN Forgot password? Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need. Take a free …
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Bell calls for delayed payments in 3.5 GHz spectrum auction
While BCE Inc.‘s first quarter results showed a decline in profits and essentially flat revenue — and the expected withdrawal of fiscal year 2020 guidance — the company will continue to pay out dividends to shareholders, CEO Mirko Bibic told analysts on a first quarterly earnings call Thursday morning. This content is available to wirereport.ca …
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