Positive Move for Rural Broadband

Xplornet Lauds Industry Canada Decision on 3.5 GHz Spectrum

WOODSTOCK, NB, Nov. 14, 2013 /CNW/ - Xplornet Communications Inc., Canada's largest rural broadband service provider, praised Industry Canada's decision to deny applications for extensions of 3.5 GHz spectrum licences where licence conditions have not been met.  "This Minster is listening to the needs of rural Canadians by ensuring that Industry Canada applies the rules fairly to all telecom services in Canada," said Xplornet President Allison Lenehan today.  "Hundreds of thousands of rural Canadians access the Internet through fixed wireless networks that operate on spectrum. Today's announcement is a clear signal that spectrum designated for broadband use should be used for that purpose so that rural Canadians can experience the full benefits of broadband technology," said Lenehan.

The 3.5 GHz spectrum was designated for fixed wireless access use, like the delivery of broadband over wireless networks to homes and business.  However, Industry Canada bundled rural spectrum with urban, making it impossible for smaller rural providers to buy.  "It's critical that spectrum be made available to meet the ever-growing demand for quality, high-bandwidth Internet service in rural Canada.  Rural Canadians can and should enjoy the same quality of Internet access as urban Canadians and we applaud the Minister for recognizing the rapid development of fixed wireless technology to meet the needs of rural Canadians.  Spectrum is a vital component of providing quality Internet services in rural Canada and more of it is needed to meet growing needs of consumers," said Lenehan today.

Xplornet still looks forward to the next step in making spectrum available to rural Canada - namely, ensuring that 3.5 GHz spectrum is made available to rural broadband providers in a way that unbundles rural and urban areas, thereby allowing smaller providers to buy the rural areas where they provide service. Xplornet and Industry Canada have heard from regions and communities all across Canada that want companies like Xplornet to be able to access and use spectrum to deliver high-speed, high-quality broadband to rural Canadians using the best technology for those rural areas, namely fixed wireless. Xplornet believes today's announcement is a good first step from Industry Canada in that direction.

About Xplornet Communications Inc.

Xplornet Communications Inc. is Canada's largest rural broadband service provider. We believe everyone should have access to the transformative benefits of broadband, so we make our service available everywhere in Canada, including the hard to reach places. We overcome the challenges of Canada's vast geography through our deployment of Canada's first national 4G network, which leverages our hybrid technology network of fixed-wireless towers on the ground and next-generation satellites in space. Our customers live in towns, villages, just outside of major urban centres and in the farthest reaches of the country. Through our coast-to-coast network of local dealers and professional installers we connect our customers to all that the Internet has to offer. Xplornet is high-speed Internet - for all of Canada.

SOURCE: Xplornet Communications Inc.