All things smartened up

��5G is the next generation of wireless mobile networks. The speakers highlighted that 5G networks are primarily designed for increasing capacity and enhancing connectivity while operating at much lower latency values. These ultrafast 5G airwaves promise to through the sharing of information—as buildings, cars, people, and a myriad of devices will be able to communicate with each other. The new technology promises to further enhance the users’ experience with smart devices, smart cars, and smart homes. In addition, 5G networks will allow emerging technologies to operate at a much larger scale.

From connecting people to connecting things in real time

��For example, the panel on 5G networks remarked that, due to the myriad of new capabilities and disruptive applications made available using 5G wireless networks, virtually all industries will experience important changes in how they work and cooperate with one another. Industries will leverage real-time connectivity to the benefit of both consumers and businesses. New capabilities will allow segments of industries to experience real-time economic data, offering the potential to prompt the . To enable all of these features, 5G network communications will increasingly rely on artificial intelligence (“AI”) and big data to build new applications and create more services. As a result, interested parties will have to be attentive as a new regulatory landscape may develop to accommodate the demands of this increased data sharing reality.

How does society become 5G ready?

��In addressing this question, speakers at CTS 2018 remarked that putting the new technology to use will require several regulatory and policy discussions. Among other challenges, there will be massive amounts of data that can be quickly collected, mobilized, and exchanged across 5G networks. In the commercial and government space, several jurisdictions have engaged in devising regulatory frameworks for the deployment of the new technology (see examples and ).

Canadian policy makers know that this is an industry that needs investment as well as a modern regulatory landscape across municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government. For example, in his , the Honourable , the federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced that the Government of Canada will be launching two consultations�� to support 5G deployment:��the government is to add an additional 1GHz of millimetre spectrum to support 5G and is beginning a in advance of the 3500 MHz auction.�� Minister Bains also discussed an initiative through a Canada-Québec-Ontario partnership, (“ENCQOR”),��which he described as “a 5G test bed that will advance the development of 5G networking solutions and next-generation technologies and applications”.

Other countries, such as the are taking a great leap towards leadership in the manufacture and operation of network infrastructure. In Canada, industry operators and other stakeholders are well positioned to develop relationships with different levels of the government with a view to speeding up the process of creating standards and laying out best practices for the operation of 5G networks.

Bottom line

5G networks promises innovation, disruption, as well as policy and regulatory discussions. Industry operators and other stakeholders should be attentive to the new opportunities arising from 5G networks, but they should also stay abreast of the impact the Canadian regulatory landscape may have in the industry — particularly by virtue of the challenges that may arise from the vastness amount of data that will be quickly collected, mobilized, and exchanged across 5G networks.

Bruna D. Kalinoski is a contributing editor for the IPilogue and holds an LLM from the Osgoode Professional Development Program at 91��ɫ.

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Starting with quality, he emphasized the importance of having telecom services that are fast enough to allow everyone to participate in a digital community. One of the efforts that have been made to improve quality is the collaboration with Ontario and Quebec to launch (the Evolution of Networked Services��through a Corridor in Québec and Ontario for Research and Innovation) partnership. This $400 million public-private partnership provides��access to 5G networks to SMEs, researchers and academia. Through ENCQOR, the federal government hopes to advance 5G networks and drive long-term economic growth across Canada.

Minister Bains also described the 5-year plan (to be implemented between 2018 to 2022), which has the objective of��maximizing the amount of spectrum that is available in order to avoid "" and ensure that Canadians have unhindered access to wireless networks.

With nearly 70% of all schoolwork being connected to the Internet, access to the Internet is a necessity for our youth today, not a luxury. However, with 1.2 million Canadian children living in poverty, such access is unequal and incredibly limited for a large number of young Canadians. Minister Bains stated that it is important to correct this imbalance and ensure that these children have access to high speed Internet so that they can progress in both their academic careers and future endeavours. Similarly, measures have been taken to ensure that rural communities have access to high-speed Internet with the . Through this program, $500 million will be invested by 2021 into rural communities to help bring new infrastructure and provide coverage nationwide.

The provision of free computers to schools nationwide is one way the government is tackling the issue of cost by making telecom services more affordable and��allowing low income Canadians the opportunity to participate in the digital economy.

Minister Bains's key message is that this is all “... about the kids”. The purpose of these government initiatives is to help young Canadians who do not have reasonable access to the Internet – "every youth should have the means to stay connected in this digital economy to fulfil their aspirations."

In conclusion, Minister Bains lauded industry support has being integral to the success of these initiatives and encouraged the IT industry to “” and make Canada a global centre for innovation. Despite the efforts and consequent successes that have resulted from actively addressing the issues of quality, coverage and affordability of innovative technologies, Minister Bain's demonstrate that building Canada’s innovation ecosystem is a never ending work in progress.

Neda Foroughian is an IPilogue Editor and a JD Candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School.

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