Connecting Canada promises to be a timely forum for an evidence-based dialogue in telecom policy.
Let’s face it. Canada’s telecommunications landscape is at a pivotal moment. Questions around slower industry growth, investment, resiliency, and policy direction have never been more central to our national conversation. That’s why the upcoming Connecting Canada event, taking place May 20, 2026, at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, is especially timely for industry leaders, policymakers, and anyone invested in the future of our connected nation.
This free event is presented in collaboration with the Canadian Telecommunications Association and the GSMA, Connecting Canada will be bringing together voices from across the sector to examine the performance, pressures, and priorities for Canada’s telecommunications sector.
Canada is one of the most geographically challenging – and therefore among the most capital-intensive – markets in the world for building and operating telecommunications networks. The telecom sector continues to face scrutiny on prices, competitive dynamics, and gaps in rural connectivity. But, meaningful progress needs more than a simple recitation of all-too-familiar talking points.
What we need is a fact-based dialogue, acknowledging there are necessary compromises inherent in policy decision-making, reconciling public expectations with economic realities, in order to deliver world-class infrastructure.
Connecting Canada provides a forum for such an informed and constructive conversation.
The conference promises a thoughtful exploration of:
- The state of Canadian telecommunications industry – from financial fundamentals to looking at the sector through a global lens
- Canada’s connectivity reality check – the realities of connectivity, including coverage gaps, adoption challenges, priority setting, and new technologies
- Network resiliency – realistic approaches to risk reduction and lessons learned
- Beyond retail: the telecom sector’s role in driving productivity and innovation across industries, and its growing strategic importance underpinning Canada’s national security, economic resilience, and sovereignty
- Canada’s 6G Future
- Protecting Canadians from fraud and scams
- The future of telecom
These aren’t just abstract debates. There are real tensions and trade-offs associated with these issues shaping the sector today. As the event’s organizers note, the aim is to move beyond headlines and assumptions toward an evidence-based dialogue grounded in the operational realities of the industry.
Connecting Canada coincides with the 6G Global Summit, being held at the same venue the following two days. While registration is separate, it reinforces that Ottawa will be a hub for global and domestic telecom policy conversations throughout the week. Together these two events highlight the growing interplay between national policy and international technology roadmaps. Discussions at Connecting Canada will set the stage for broader conversations about spectrum, standards, and next generation networks.
If your work touches telecommunications, whether from an industry, policy, regulatory, academic, or technology perspective, this event is worth your time. The agenda promises thoughtful keynotes, candid panel conversations, and a welcome emphasis on grounding policy in real-world data and operational experience. You can learn more or register for the event here.