Spectrum is essential for future e-commerce. Everyone has spoken today about how commerce is becoming mobile commerce, and for that you need the spectrum. The networks will not function without more spectrum, and will not function without more sites, so we need both.
It is true that the U.S. has already auctioned off some bandwidth, which will be probably also be auctioned off in Canada next year. The industry is happy that's happening over the next 12 to 18 months. But beyond that, the most critical thing that the government could do in terms of spectrum over the next decade would be to lay out a plan of when spectrum will be released and how it will be released.
Our association's members are entirely in favour of auctions. They have no problem with auctions. But it's knowing when these will happen, because these networks require billion-dollar investments for renewal, for upkeep, and for growth. Being able to plan that ahead of time, more than six months or twelve months ahead of time, would be very helpful. And it's about knowing when the spectrum will be released Then they can plan the networks accordingly. So that would be critical.
Yes, the U.S. released some spectrum before Canada. Okay, it's going to be auctioned off most likely next year in Canada. But beyond that we don't know when the next wave of spectrum will be released.
The FCC in the U.S. has identified, as an objective, finding an extra 400 to 500 megahertz to be released through auctions. We think Canada will have to do the same. So let's lay out a plan.