Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning cellphone and wireless carriers, ISPs, satellite communications, broadband access, 5G, remote communities, and CRTC spectrum licences. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Dates: 2025-06-08 to 2025-06-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

CRTC Expands Support for Independent Local News Under Modernized Broadcasting Act

On June 9, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced a decision to enhance funding access for independent Canadian television stations through the Independent Local News Fund (ILNF). This move forms part of the ongoing implementation of the modernized Broadcasting Act, which requires streaming services to contribute to Canadian and Indigenous content. The decision maintains the current eligibility criteria, ensures fair distribution, and mandates that ILNF recipients make local news available online. Corus Entertainment Inc.'s 15 Global stations are now confirmed as eligible for ILNF funding as independent broadcasters.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

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CRTC Chair Discusses Framework Modernization and Streaming Contributions

Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and CEO of the CRTC, addressed the Banff World Media Festival on June 9, providing an update on the Commission’s work to modernize the broadcasting framework in response to the Online Streaming Act. Eatrides described the CRTC’s multi-stage process, including the recent decision to direct approximately $200 million annually from online streaming services into the Canadian broadcasting system, with particular focus on news and Canadian/Indigenous content. She reported strong engagement from industry stakeholders, referencing 480 written submissions and 78 groups heard during a recent hearing on defining Canadian content. The CRTC has scheduled additional hearings on market dynamics and audio services later in the year, with key policy decisions expected in the fall. The Commission plans to set new conditions of service for major broadcasters and streaming providers once policy decisions are finalized.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada Gazette: Administrative Decisions and Telecom Orders

The June 14 edition of Canada Gazette, Part I, announced an application by Fairchild Radio (Vancouver FM) Ltd. for CHKG-FM in Vancouver, with a comment deadline of July 3, 2025. The Gazette also recorded several administrative decisions for radio undertakings in Montreal, Halifax, and Saint-Léonard, as well as Telecom Order 2025-129 referencing the Telecommunications Fees Regulations, 2010, published on June 5. These notices pertain to licensing and regulatory compliance within Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

US GR News

FCC Finalizes Non-Exclusive Sharing Framework for Lower 37 GHz Band

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a final rule on June 12 to open 600 MHz of high-frequency spectrum in the 37-37.6 GHz band (Lower 37 GHz band) for flexible fixed and mobile use. The band will be shared between Federal and non-Federal operators using a two-step licensing and registration process. Non-Federal entities must first obtain a nationwide non-exclusive license and then register coordinated site-specific locations. The framework, developed in collaboration with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Department of Defense (DoD), gives priority to military systems in the 37-37.2 GHz segment while preserving access for both Federal and non-Federal users. The FCC established construction and buildout requirements to prevent spectrum warehousing, a two-phase coordination process to resolve interference, and declined to apply secondary market rules. The new regime is intended to enable a range of use cases, including fixed wireless broadband, IoT, and mobile systems.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Seeks Comment on Modernizing Satellite Broadband Spectrum Sharing

On June 13, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking input on updating spectrum sharing rules between geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems in the 10.7-12.7, 17.3-18.6, and 19.7-20.2 GHz bands. The NPRM responds to a SpaceX petition to revise equivalent power-flux density (EPFD) limits, which SpaceX claims constrain NGSO broadband operations due to outdated technical assumptions. The FCC is soliciting comments on alternative sharing frameworks, protection criteria for GSO and NGSO systems, information sharing, aggregate interference, effects on terrestrial and radio astronomy services, and cross-border coordination—particularly with Canada and Mexico. Comments are due by July 28, 2025, with comments due by August 27.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Requests Input on Dynamic Spectrum Sharing in Lower 37 GHz Band

The FCC issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) on June 12, inviting comment on three issues related to the Lower 37 GHz band: potential adoption of more stringent out-of-band emissions limits to protect passive sensors in the adjacent 36-37 GHz band, possible enhancements to the first phase of the site coordination process including the consideration of environmental clutter, and whether a dynamic spectrum management system (DSMS) could eventually replace the current two-phase coordination framework. The FNPRM also addresses a technical correction to a power flux density figure. Written comments are due July 14, 2025, with reply comments due July 28.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Extends Reply Comment Deadline on Submarine Cable Landing License Rules

The FCC’s Office of International Affairs extended the reply comment deadline to May 19, 2025, for its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on changes to submarine cable landing license rules. The rulemaking reviews procedures to address evolving national security, law enforcement, foreign policy, and trade policy risks. The extension was granted to provide stakeholders additional time to prepare comprehensive submissions and ensure a complete record.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Implements Stronger Public Sector Privacy Rules

Alberta’s Protection of Privacy Act came into force on June 11, introducing new requirements for public bodies to establish privacy management programs and enhanced penalties for violations. The Act sets detailed expectations for managing and sharing personal information, with compliance resources available on Alberta.ca.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Expands 5G-Enabled Wildfire Detection Camera Network

The Government of British Columbia announced a $200,000 investment to expand its wildfire camera network in partnership with UBC Okanagan. The network uses 5G technology and AI for early smoke detection, supporting real-time data sharing for emergency response.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP François-Philippe Champagne posted on June 12 about Ericsson’s commitment to invest over $600 million in Canadian telecommunications research, following a meeting with Ericsson’s CEO in Sweden.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Telecom sector ramping up investments in tech as traditional growth areas slow: Canadian telecoms are increasing technology investments amid slowing traditional growth.
• AT&T Expands Nation's Largest Fiber Network, Now Reaching More Than 30 Million Fiber Locations: AT&T announces the expansion of its US fiber network.
• Introducing Surfshark Everlink: patented self-healing VPN infrastructure for stable VPN protection: Surfshark launches new VPN infrastructure featuring self-healing capabilities.
• Canada's $80 Billion Defence Modernization Package Signals Strategic Shift—Draganfly Positioned for Rapid Growth with Integration of DND-Specified Radio Systems: Draganfly prepares for growth following its integration of DND-specified radio systems.