Canada’s wireless telecommunications industry has grown to $48.2 billion a year and generates 327,000 full-time high paying jobs, states a report released Tuesday.
The report, commissioned by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) and developed by Nordicity, said Canada’s wireless industry’s contribution to the Canadian economy in 2018, represented 2.5 per cent of the total Canadian GDP. GDP contribution has grown at an annual compound rate of 7.1 per cent since 2013 ($34.3 billion in 2013).
“The wireless industry is a catalyst for the Canadian economy, generating jobs and economic gains across key sectors of the economy,” Robert Ghiz, President and CEO of CWTA, said in a news release.
“This report highlights why it is important to maintain a stable regulatory environment that encourages ongoing investment by facilities-based carriers. These investments are crucial to the expansion of wireless services into rural areas of Canada and the introduction of 5G, the next generation of wireless technologies. Increased coverage and new 5G wireless services will further boost Canada’s economy, create more well-paying jobs, and improve the quality of life for Canadians.”
Other findings from the report include:
- The wireless industry generated 327,000 full-time equivalent, well-paying, jobs in 2018. Job creation has increased at an annual compound growth rate of 5.3% since 2013 (252,000 in 2013);
- GDP contribution includes $12.6 billion from productivity improvements enabled by the use of wireless services in other industry sectors, and $4.7 billion as a result of an increase in wireless penetration; and
- Facilities-based wireless network operators made $3.1 billion in capital investments in 2018 to expand and upgrade Canada’s wireless infrastructure.
“Canada’s wireless industry plays an instrumental role in Canada’s economic prosperity and is a critical enabler of Canada’s transformation to the digital economy,” said Stuart Jack of Nordicity.
“Its importance will continue to grow as Canada transitions to 5G wireless technologies, which will drive further adoption of wireless services and enable business models that are built upon 5G wireless capabilities. While this technical transformation has already begun, the launch of commercial 5G services will require substantial investments on the part of facilities-based wireless operators.”
Mario Toneguzzi is a business reporter in Calgary.
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