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.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don’t miss this week’s updates in ICT & Cybersecurity and Utilities & Power.

Dates: 2025-07-13 to 2025-07-19

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

Competition Bureau Advocates ‘All-in’ Broadband Label at CRTC Hearings

On July 16, the Competition Bureau’s Policy, Planning and Advocacy Directorate, represented by Associate Deputy Commissioner Brad Callaghan and Senior Behavioural Scientist Jonathan Fonberg, appeared before the CRTC to support the adoption of a 'nutrition label' format for internet and wireless services. The Bureau’s submission draws from stakeholder consultations and behavioural insights, aligning with the approach recently implemented by the FCC in the US. Canadian recommendations call for an 'all-in' price reflecting total mandatory charges, in compliance with Competition Act drip-pricing prohibitions, and that wireless services be included within the labelling requirements. The Bureau urged that labels be made consistently available wherever plan information is displayed, and delivered in customer notifications prior to contract expiry. The overall aim is to facilitate direct price and performance comparisons, lower search and switching costs, and reinforce the enforcement of consumer code provisions. The CRTC’s consultation is set against a broader backdrop of ongoing consumer protection initiatives in the telecom sector.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CRTC Launches Public Consultation on Improving the National Public Alerting System

The CRTC initiated a public consultation on July 15 to gather input on changes to the National Public Alerting System (NPAS), used by emergency management officials to communicate urgent situations to the Canadian public. The consultation seeks input on alert accessibility, the possibility of distributing alerts in locally relevant languages, and ensuring national availability. All stakeholders, including telecom providers, may participate before the October 14 deadline. The review forms part of CRTC’s broader Consumer Protections Action Plan.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada and Australia Enter Technology Partnership for Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar

On June 20, Canada signed a formal technology partnership with Australia to support the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) system, as confirmed by National Defence on July 17. The collaboration pairs Australian industry capabilities with Canadian companies to scale up Canada’s A-OTHR expertise. The radar is a central component of ongoing NORAD modernization efforts and aims to deliver advanced long-range airborne surveillance for both domestic and continental security. The first stage targets early operational capability by the end of 2029, leveraging Australian experience in over-the-horizon radar deployment.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

National Defence Announces Progress and Site Acquisitions for Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Project

The Department of National Defence announced July 17 that it has secured two Ontario locations—163 hectares near Thistle Trail in Kawartha Lakes and 288 hectares in Clearview Township—for the first transmit and receive sites of the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) project, part of Canada’s $38.6 billion NORAD modernization plan. These sites will provide the initial operational backbone for the system, with further locations under assessment. Public engagement sessions, including both virtual and in-person events, are scheduled, and initial work is expected to begin at both sites in Winter 2026.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

US Federal GR News

FCC Proposes Expanded Security Requirements for Equipment Authorization Testing

On July 16, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at tightening security risk controls across its equipment authorization program. The FNPRM seeks comment on prohibiting recognition of laboratories and certification bodies owned, controlled by, or operating within jurisdictions the Department of Commerce designates as foreign adversaries, with a focus on concerns related to China. Additional proposals involve expanding the group of 'prohibited entities' to align with federal security lists, introducing stricter post-market surveillance, and ensuring test data underlying equipment approvals is generated exclusively by independent and FCC-recognized labs. The FCC is also exploring mechanisms to encourage more domestic and allied-country testing capacity. Comments are due August 15, and reply comments by September 15.

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

FCC Schedules Technological Advisory Council Meeting on Advanced Spectrum and 6G

The FCC announced that its Technological Advisory Council will convene on August 5, 2025, with an agenda focused on anticipating developments beyond 5G, including early 6G research and advanced spectrum management. Items for discussion include AI- and ML-based approaches to spectrum sharing and administration, as well as other emerging radio technologies. The meeting will be accessible online and open to stakeholder comments.

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

FCC Final Rule Reduces Cable Rate Regulation, Impacts Equipment Rule Scope

The FCC published a final rule on July 14 revising cable television rate regulations. The action eliminates obsolete cable rate regulation forms and removes rate regulation for cable equipment not exclusively dedicated to basic service tier (BST) use. It exempts small systems (those serving 15,000 or fewer subscribers and owned by companies with under 400,000 subscribers) from rate regulation, removes requirements for non-residential rate regulation, and updates processes for setting initial regulated rates. The rule also terminates several dockets and forms related to earlier CPST regulation and other now-sunset rules. Effective August 13, certain amendments will be delayed pending OMB review.

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

FCC Extends Public Comment Deadlines for Next Generation 911 (NG911) Rulemaking

On July 16, the FCC extended deadlines for comments on its Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking concerning NG911 and improvements to 911 reliability requirements. Initial comments are now due August 4, 2025, and reply comments by September 17, 2025. The docket aims to address changes in reliability standards and support public safety communications modernization.

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

Homeland Security Department Renews Emergency Communications Feedback Program

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), DHS, posted a request for comments on its renewal of the 'Generic Clearance for the Collection of Qualitative Feedback on National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications.' The program, authorized by the 21st Century Emergency Communications Act, enables recurring feedback collection from federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and industry users. The collection encompasses surveys, comment forms, and discussion groups, aiming for up to 10 million annual respondents. Submissions close September 16.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Invests $7.5 Million to Expand Digitalization Support for Small Businesses

On July 16, the Ontario government announced a $7.5 million investment in the Digitalization Competence Centre, expanding support for small and medium-sized businesses adopting digital technologies, including grants for planning and technology demonstration, with targeted programs for retail modernization and cybersecurity solutions.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

CRTC Opens Consultation on National Public Alerting System

The CRTC launched a public consultation starting July 15 inviting comments on enhancements to the National Public Alerting System, with a focus on alert accessibility, language options matching local communities, and nationwide coverage. Input is open until October 14.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: crtc.gc.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Cogeco, Eastlink seek to appeal CRTC decision on wholesale fibre rules: Cogeco and Eastlink have initiated legal action seeking to challenge the CRTC's recent ruling regarding wholesale access to fibre networks.
• Cogeco begins wireless service rollout in Quebec, Ontario markets: Cogeco launched its wireless service in several Quebec and Ontario areas, expanding competition in regional mobile markets.
• Network Security Market Future Growth, Latest Technologies, Business Scenario, Key Segments and Forecast to 2029: A market analysis forecasts expansion in the network security segment with accelerated adoption of next-generation technologies through 2029.
• TruGrid SecureRDP Now Available on Pax8 Marketplace, Accelerating Secure Remote Access for MSPs: TruGrid's SecureRDP service was rolled out on the Pax8 marketplace, boosting secure remote access solutions for managed service providers.

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