Telecommunications Industry Directly Contributes $74.5 Billion Annually to Canada's Economy and Supports 638,000 Jobs, According to New Report

Study also highlights how COVID-19 has transformed society and the need for continued investments from both the private and public sectors into telecommunications infrastructure and services

OTTAWA, ON, Dec. 9, 2020 /CNW/ - Canada's telecommunications industry, defined as the facilities-based network operators supplying wireless and wireline connectivity services, directly contributed $74.5 billion in GDP to Canada's economy, and supported 638,000 jobs, in 2019 according to a new Accenture report commissioned by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA).This contribution is comprised of $23.5-billion in direct impact from the value chain of service providers and $51-billion in direct impact due to other industries that were increasing their sales and output by adding incremental wireless and wireline connection. 

The report also highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed Canadian society and the important role that our country's digital infrastructure will play in the economic recovery. 

"This report shows us that the telecommunications industry continues to be a major driver for the Canadian economy and is becoming even more important to Canadians as a result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Robert Ghiz, President and CEO of CWTA. "Connectivity has become crucial for businesses, consumers and governments across Canada. We know that the contribution and investments of facilities-based service providers will further boost the Canadian economy, create well-paying jobs and improve the quality of life for Canadians. To expedite these telecom-led benefits, however, we need a stable regulatory environment that encourages private investment in expanding network infrastructure and the next generation telecommunications technologies, like 5G."

Key findings of the report:

• The telecommunications industry, comprised of the the facilities-based network operators supplying wireless and wireline connectivity services in Canada, directly contributed $74.5 billion to GDP and supported 638,000 Canadian jobs in 2019;
• This GDP contribution is composed of $23.5 billion in direct impact from the value chain of service providers and $51 billion in direct impact due to other industries increasing their sales and output by adding incremental wireless and wireline connection;
• The industry's contribution represents 3.7% of Canada's overall annual GDP in 2019;
• Every telecommunications job results in 2.3 jobs supported in the Canadian economy, and every $1 million in telecommunications sales results in 4.2 new jobs supported in the Canadian economy;
• Looking ahead over the next five years, it is estimated that the telecommunications industry value chain alone will contribute $199 - $235 billion in direct, indirect, and induced GDP to the Canadian economy while sustaining 300,000 to 350,000 jobs annually;
• In 2019, capital investments into wireless and wireline connectivity by the private sector totaled more than $10 billion, which is part of the more than $50 billion in wireless capex, and $20 billion in spectrum licenses invested by facilities-based service providers since 1987 and more than $150 billion in wireline capex invested since 1996.

"Resilient connectivity and stable networks have become a key priority for businesses, consumers, and the public sector. As the infrastructure to scale 5G networks is deployed, various new business models and use cases across all industries will be unlocked, which can drive significant economic activity across Canada," said Tejas Rao, Managing Director and Global 5G Offering Lead at Accenture. "Investments in NextGen technologies will increase productivity and exponentially grow the capabilities of existing products and services across many industries. Both the public and private sector have an ongoing role to play in making this a reality."

A copy of the report, entitled, "Investing in Canada's Digital Infrastructure: The Economic Impact of Wireless/Wireline Broadband and the Post-COVID Recovery", can be found here.

About the report:
This study, commissioned by the CWTA and conducted by Accenture Strategy & Consulting, is an annual review of the telecommunications industry's impact on Canada's economy. In prior years, CWTA's commissioned studies focused on the wireless industry alone. This year the study is focused on the economic impact of both wireless and wireline communications service providers in 2019, and their role in the COVID recovery. The methodology used in this report differs in part from that used in previous economic impact studies commissioned by the CWTA, making direct comparisons difficult and not recommended.

About CWTA
CWTA is the authority on wireless issues, developments and trends in Canada. It represents companies that provide services and products across the wireless sector. CWTA also administers a number of initiatives on behalf of its members, including corporate social responsibility programs and the national common short codes program.

SOURCE Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association

Media enquiries: CWTA, Guy Gallant, [email protected]

Related Links

www.cwta.ca