In March 2013, Industry Canada released Licensing Framework for
Mobile Broadband Services (MBS) – 700 MHz Band. Key things to note:
 Industry Canada confirmed that, for the most part, the policy and
technical framework to auction spectrum in the 700 MHz band are
the same as proposed in its March 14, 2012 consultation document.
 The auction will use a combinatorial clock auction (CCA) format,
where bids are made for packages of spectrum licences, rather than
the simultaneous multiple round auction (SMRA) format used in the
past, where bids are made on individual licences.
 Associated entities can apply to bid separately and to have the
auction cap applied individually. These bidders must demonstrate
that they “intend to separately and actively provide services” within a
given licence area for the duration of the spectrum caps (five years
after licensing). Industry Canada has determined that no registered
bidders were associated with each other.
The auction was initially set to begin on November 19, 2013. In
June 2013, Industry Canada moved the application deadline to
September 17, 2013, and the auction start to January 14, 2014.
In October 2013, Industry Canada released its consultation paper,
seeking comments on licencing considerations related to auction
format, rules and processes, as well as on conditions of licence for
spectrum in the 2500–2690 MHz band. The final policy was released on
January 10, 2014.
Key things to note about 2500–2690 MHz spectrum policy:
 Industry Canada adopted a spectrum cap (not an auction cap like in
the 700 MHz auction). No carrier participating in the auction may
possess more than 40 MHz of 2500–2690 MHz spectrum. Rogers is
grandfathered with respect to our holdings in those situations where
we already hold more than 40 MHz of this spectrum. We will not be
required to return spectrum.
 There is no special roll-out requirement for 2500–2690 MHz
spectrum. A general roll-out rule will be determined in the policy.
 The auction is set to commence on April 15, 2015.
 The 2500MHz auction will use Tier 3 licence areas.
Roaming and Tower Sharing Policy
In March 2013, Industry Canada released Revised Frameworks for
Mandatory Roaming and Antenna Tower and Site Sharing, concluding a
consultation initiated in 2012. It sets out the current rules for roaming
and tower and site sharing. Its key terms are:
 All holders of spectrum licences, radio licences and broadcasting
certificates must share towers and antenna sites, where technically
feasible, at commercial rates.
 All licensees were permitted to request roaming from other licensees
at commercial rates.
 The timeframe for negotiating agreements is 60 days, after which
arbitration according to Industry Canada arbitration rules will begin.
 The roaming capabilities must provide connectivity for digital voice
and data services regardless of the spectrum band or underlying
technology used.
68 ROGERS COMMUNICATIONS INC. 2013 ANNUAL REPORT