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: 2025-08-24 to 2025-08-30

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Canadian Federal GR News

FedNor Invests $1 Million in AI and Innovation Support for Northern Ontario SMEs

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) announced an investment of $1,050,000 on August 26, 2025, to advance innovation among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Ontario. Of this total, $700,000 is committed to NORCAT’s Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, offering advisory services and funding to support businesses in the adoption, integration, and commercialization of AI solutions. The project is designed to address skill and productivity gaps related to AI, expand in-house technical expertise, and upgrade IT infrastructure—such as server/cloud purchases and targeted employee training. The remaining $350,000 will renew the Innovation Acceleration Program, providing financial assistance for R&D, commercialization, and expansion initiatives at regional SMEs. Federal officials project these initiatives will modernize and expand over 35 businesses in the area, supporting enhanced efficiency and competitive capacity.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Public Engagement Begins for Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Sites in Ontario

National Defence scheduled public engagement sessions in Clearview Township, Ontario, to address plans for constructing a preliminary Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) Receive Site at 2225 Sideroad 15 and 16, with sessions set for September 10, 2025. Department experts will provide details on the project, answer questions, and outline its scope. Presentations and Q&A sessions will be held at an accessible venue, with live online participation available. A public record of the sessions will be posted online following the events.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

National Defence to Consult Kawartha Lakes Community on Arctic Radar Transmit Site

The Department of National Defence is conducting community sessions on September 9, 2025, in Coboconk, Ontario, regarding construction of an Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) Transmit Site at 0 Thistle Trail. The sessions will provide project information, offer opportunities for questions, and be available both in-person and online. Public feedback and session outcomes will be published online following the meetings.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CRTC Posts Licensing Decisions and Application Notices

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) posted applications and recent licensing decisions in its August 30, 2025, official notices. Application number 2025-0317-7 from CBC for Halifax (CBH-FM) sets a September 17, 2025, intervention deadline, while CJRO Radio’s application for Casselman, Ontario (CJRO-FM-4), carries a September 19, 2025, deadline. Decision 2025-210 from August 18 approved a low-power community TV station, Chetwynd Communications Society, in British Columbia.

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

CRTC Affirms Public Access to Regulatory Documents and Hearing Notices

CRTC confirmed its ongoing practice of posting comprehensive decisions, consultation notices, policy bulletins, and related documents as they come into force. These materials and related filings remain accessible to the public and stakeholders through 'Public proceedings & hearings' on the Commission’s website.

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

US Federal GR News

FCC Proposes Broad Deregulatory Changes for Network Upgrades and Service Transitions

The Federal Communications Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on August 28, 2025, introducing potential revisions to section 214(a) rules and network change disclosure requirements for telecommunications carriers.

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

FCC Finalizes Revised Rules to Accelerate Wireline Broadband Deployment

The FCC issued its Fifth Report and Order in WC Docket No. 17-84, effective September 25, 2025 (pending information collection approval), introducing new timelines for large pole attachment requests, additional requirements for utility/attacher collaboration, and new deadlines for contractor approval.

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

FCC Takes Additional Steps to Modernize Emergency Alert Systems

The FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that solicits comment on potential updates to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).

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

FCC Adopts Measures to Expedite Satellite and Earth Station Licensing

On August 7, 2025, the FCC adopted a Second Report and Order introducing new policies for satellite and earth station licensing to address rising application volume and industry complexity. The order implements a new baseline license option for earth stations, permitting holders to add or remove satellite points of communication through streamlined notifications rather than formal modification applications.

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

FCC Proposes Elimination of ASCII Format Requirement in TRS Rules

The FCC issued a proposal to remove the obligation for TTY-based Telecommunications Relay Services to support ASCII format, which is rarely used and viewed as obsolete.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Introduces New Levy Framework Targeting Large AI Data Centres

Alberta announced a new levy framework, effective December 31, 2026, applying a two-percent charge on computer hardware at data centres of 75 megawatts or more. The levy will be offset against provincial income tax, with provisions for payment deferral and local property tax incentives, aiming to attract AI infrastructure and ensure consistency for investors.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Launches Mobile Emergency Alert App to Address Rural Cellular Gaps

Nova Scotia introduced the NS Alert mobile app on August 28, 2025, designed to extend public safety notification capabilities to areas lacking LTE/5G coverage by supporting alerts over 3G or Wi-Fi. The province has committed $1 million to the initiative, which is part of broader efforts to expand rural cell coverage and deploy new towers.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Privacy provision in online streaming law accidentally removed, federal government says: The federal government reports that a privacy safeguard intended for the online streaming regime was inadvertently deleted during the legislative process.
• N.S.-based internet provider cries foul over federal regulations: A Nova Scotia ISP expresses concerns over the impact of recent federal regulatory changes.
• Ontario businessman paid $34K for internet after making a typo. It took 3 months to fix it: A Guelph business owner’s internet payment error highlights issues in the payments and resolution process for major providers.
• Government says it accidentally deleted privacy provision in online streaming bill: Federal officials acknowledge an unintentional omission from a key online streaming measure.

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