It is a competitive world out there. Regardless of free trade agreements, the digital economy largely transcends international borders, subject of course to legal bounds [an interesting case on that matter – Google vs Equustek Solutions – is being heard today by the Supreme Court of Canada]. Applications generated by coders anywhere in the world are made available and sold worldwide, bypassing border security and customs agents without any delays or protective tariffs.
That raises a number of questions that policy makers and business leaders should be considering:
- What kinds of communications infrastructure is needed to provide Canadians with a platform to excel in a global digital economy?
- What are the characteristics of a policy framework that fosters the development of innovative new applications and technologies to deploy in Canada and offer around the world?
- What conditions are needed to encourage investment of capital and the availability of competitive communications services to Canadian consumers and businesses, regardless of where they are located?
- How can low income Canadians participate in a more inclusive digital future?
- How can communications services and applications be refined and developed with a goal for competitors to offer choice and differentiated services to all Canadians?
What will be the impact on Canada from a transition in US communications regulatory policy as the FCC transitions to the new administration? See Hal Singer’s post, “Wondering What A Trump FCC Might Look Like? Here’s A Preview“. Will Canadian consumers have access to the same types of offers as their neighbours to the south? Will Canadian businesses, whether incumbents or entrepreneurs, be able to innovate and launch new capabilities as well? What opportunities will the creative community find?
Registrations are now open for The 2017 Canadian Telecom Summit, taking place June 5-7 in Toronto. We’ll explore all of these issues and more.