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: 2025-06-22 to 2025-06-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

CSE Releases 2024–2025 Annual Report Detailing Cyber and AI Priorities

The Communications Security Establishment Canada released its unclassified annual report for 2024–2025 on June 27. The report outlines CSE and Canadian Centre for Cyber Security activities over the last year, focusing on defending Canada from hostile state activity and advancing security and economic objectives. Efforts cited include partnerships supporting Arctic security, work with the Joint Operational Intelligence Cell to strengthen border policies, and contributions to the National Cyber Security Strategy. The document notes the launch of a new Artificial Intelligence Strategy to further CSE’s mission. CSE provided foreign signals intelligence and cyber guidance to bolster critical infrastructure defenses, with ongoing external oversight supporting organizational transparency. The report stresses CSE’s focus on building a robust workforce and its involvement with independent review bodies.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

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Global Affairs Canada Opens Consultation on Canada-EU Digital Trade Agreement

On June 25, Global Affairs Canada launched a public consultation inviting feedback on the potential development of a Canada-European Union digital trade agreement. The government is seeking input from stakeholders regarding the possible scope and provisions of a DTA, which would operate alongside free trade agreements and is intended to address technological and regulatory developments in digital commerce. Views are being collected through August 23, 2025, as part of a process to inform Canada’s negotiating position on issues including commitments for digital trade, regulatory predictability, and technology governance rules. The consultation invites submissions from businesses, institutions, and the public.

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

CRTC Posts New Regulatory Decisions and Cost Orders

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission has posted new abridged versions of regulatory decisions, consultations, bulletins, and orders, as of June 28. According to Part I of the CRTC Rules of Practice and Procedure, these documents are now available for examination both at CRTC’s offices and online under ‘Public proceedings & hearings,’ providing regulated entities and interested stakeholders with up-to-date details on regulatory procedures.

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

CRTC Administrative Decisions and Recent Orders Affecting Broadcasters and News Act Cost Recovery

Recent CRTC administrative decisions as published in the Canada Gazette include approvals and orders relating to multiple regional broadcasters, such as CBC’s operations in Newfoundland and Quebec, Cogeco Media in Quebec, and Centre Wellington Community Radio in Ontario. Notice 2025-153, published on June 19, relates to an upcoming hearing scheduled for September 2025 for Ontario and Quebec regions. The CRTC also issued Order 2025-145 on June 19, 2025, regarding cost recovery charges under the Online News Act.

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

US Federal GR News

FCC Issues Proposal for Major Updates to Foreign Ownership Policies for Licensees

On June 23, the Federal Communications Commission published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) seeking comment on a series of revisions to its foreign ownership rules for broadcast, common carrier, and aeronautical radio licensees. The NPRM proposes codifying the definition of a controlling U.S. parent, clarifying deemed voting interests, instituting disclosure requirements for trusts and trustees, and extending certain calculation methods and remedial processes currently used by public companies to privately-held entities.

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

FCC Requests Comment on Expanded Satellite Spectrum Use

The FCC on June 27 called for comments on multiple proposals to open and revise satellite allocations across the 12.7–13.25 GHz, 42.0–42.5 GHz, 51.4–52.4 GHz, and selected W-band frequencies. The Commission is considering removing restrictions on certain geostationary and non-geostationary satellite operations, expanding Earth Stations in Motion, licensing process modifications, and technical coexistence with incumbent and federal users, including those operating in adjacent bands.

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

US International Trade Commission Opens Investigation into Wi-Fi Device Imports

The USITC has initiated an investigation under Section 337 into certain Wi-Fi routers, mesh network devices, and related components allegedly infringing six patents held by Estelgia, LLC of Delaware. The complaint, originally filed May 16 and supplemented June 3, seeks exclusion and cease-and-desist orders against respondents including ASUS, D-Link, Linksys, and Plume Design for products identified as multi-band Wi-Fi routers, mesh systems, and network controllers.

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

FCC Calls for Comment on Wireless Medical Telemetry Service Information Collection

On June 27, the Federal Communications Commission began collecting public comments relating to its requirement for frequency coordination of the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service under Section 95.2309. The FCC estimates that up to 3,000 respondents will participate, with the process expected to result in a total annual burden of 15,000 hours and $750,000 in costs. The information collection supports interference-free operation of essential medical telemetry equipment and is required to obtain or retain operating benefits. Comments must be submitted by August 26, 2025 before final approval is sought from OMB.

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

FCC Open Meeting Reviews Cable, Broadband Data, and Relay Service Regulations

On June 26, the FCC held an Open Meeting to consider several regulatory updates. The Commission reviewed a Report and Order to simplify cable television rate regulations, deregulate certain small cable systems and equipment, and limit some oversight to residential subscribers. The agenda included a Report and Order to eliminate the engineer certification requirement for Broadband Data Collection filings, replacing it with a standard certification by a qualified engineer.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

SaskTel Reports $82.2 Million Net Income for 2024–25 in Saskatchewan

SaskTel’s Annual Report indicates a net income of $82.2 million and capital investments of $398.5 million into 5G and infiNET networks, alongside contributions to community initiatives during the fiscal year.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.saskatchewan.ca

Government Consultations

Consulting Canadians on a Possible Canada–European Union Digital Trade Agreement

Global Affairs Canada is seeking views from Canadians and stakeholders regarding the development of a Canada–EU digital trade agreement, with consultation open through August 23, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: international.canada.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Tim Hodgson posted that the G7 pledged cooperation on energy challenges with AI and that Canada will advance infrastructure to make networks more resilient and affordable.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Chrystia Freeland congratulated NAV Canada and partners for being the first outside Europe to deploy iTEC technology at Edmonton, citing benefits to regional economies and international partnerships.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jenny Kwan shared concerns about a measure permitting RCMP and CSIS to demand information from internet providers and other entities without judicial oversight.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP John-Paul Danko described passage of the C5 One Canadian Economy Act as a foundation for major new national infrastructure and trade barrier removal.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Pamela Wallin raised the issue of expanding government access to subscriber data and exemptions for political parties regarding privacy obligations.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Supreme Court OKs fee that subsidizes phone, internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas: US Supreme Court permits a fee structure supporting universal service programs.
• Edgewater Wireless Wins Strategic Federal Grant for Advanced Wi-Fi Chip Commercialization: Edgewater Wireless receives federal support for Wi-Fi chip development.
• Opinion: Ottawa must stop the CRTC’s misguided, dogmatic internet decision: Editorial comment on federal intervention in CRTC internet policy.
• Quantum Threats and State-Backed Cyberattacks Are Forcing a Rethink of Digital Security: Coverage on emerging digital security challenges.
• Verizon Business wins multisite private 5G contract fueling a multibillion dollar regeneration project: New Verizon contract expands private 5G in a regeneration initiative.
• Open Radio Access Network Market 2030: Future Trends, Emerging Growth, Applications and Driving Factors: Report assesses ORAN market growth drivers and applications.