Canada postpones 5G spectrum auction

OTTAWA: Canada has postponed its 3500MHz spectrum auction process by six months to allow telecoms companies to focus on providing essential services during COVID-19 pandemic, the innovation ministry said in a statement.

The band is key for telecom companies rolling out fifth generation (5G) mobile networks, which will have speeds fast enough to download a movie to a smartphone in seconds, while allowing businesses to run “smart” factories using connected robots, devices and sensors.

The auction will now be held on June 15, 2021, because Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains wanted “to allow the telecommunications industry to maintain its focus on providing essential services to Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said.