AND THE WINNERS ARE…

Industry Canada recently published the successful bidders for their last wireless spectrum auction (700 MHz). A total of 97 licenses were awarded to 8 companies. The successful bidders and the regions they now provide service to are shown below:

Feenix Wireless is owned by John Bitove, who is currently on the board of directors of Mobilicity, a company that has struggled in the last year. SaskTel is the leading service provider in Saskatchewan. MTS Inc. is a subsidiary of Manitoba Telecom Services and the sister company of Allstream Inc. With this auction, Videotron has the potential to rival Bell, Telus, and Rogers in the wireless industry in Canada.

The 700 MHz spectrum was originally used for analog television broadcasting. It will now be used by the wireless industry to provide stronger cellular signals over longer distances. This spectrum is well suited for the transmission of data over wireless networks, which has now overtaken voice communication over wireless networks. The new service may work in areas of buildings that were previously not covered (ie. elevators, basements, and parking garages).

What it Means for You

Building owners can expect carriers to start knocking on their doors again. New carriers in your area will want to install cellular sites on your roof. Or, if you already have cellular sites on your roofs, the carriers will be looking to upgrade those to include the new 700 MHz spectrum.

Because this new spectrum is stronger, Safety Code 6 (radio frequency emission safety standards) may become an issue. We recommend that, when a carrier wants to install or upgrade its networks, you request the carrier provide you with an updated Safety Code 6 report based on existing and proposed conditions. If there are violations to the Safety Code 6 standards, the carriers are obligated to post warning signage. However, you may request modifications to the antenna placement.

For more information about the spectrum auction and the impact to your properties, please contact The Attain Group's Christine Doyle, Senior Manager, Real Estate Services at christine.doyle@theattaingroup.com or (613) 739-9424 x 226.

P.S. Industry Canada will hold another auction for the 2,500 MHz spectrum – that auction is scheduled for April 2015.

Algonquin College - Robert C. Gillett Student Commons

The Robert C. Gillett Student Commons is a LEED-Gold certificated building located on the Woodroffe campus of Algonquin College. The new 110,000 square foot building includes a 700-seat auditorium, counseling services, the Centre for Students with Disabilities, the Mamidosewin Aboriginal Student Centre), large common spaces and lounge areas, food services, Students' Association offices, Starbucks, an employment centre, and a technology store.

The Attain Group developed the performance specifications for the tender package on this project, reviewed all bids for compliance to the performance specifications, and were hired by Algonquin College's Information, Institutional Research, Technology Services (IIRTS) to project manage the construction, installation and implementation of the ITS infrastructure.

Our areas of focus encompassed:

• Telecommunications infrastructure: Voice and data cabling (over 1200 connections), fibre optic and copper backbones and outside plant engineering, pathways, telecommunications room design and Wi-Fi.
• Multi-media service: Main atrium with includes a 103" and two 60" plasma screens for movies, meeting rooms, student study areas, and retail areas with matrix displays.
• Emergency and security services: Video surveillance cameras, access control, intrusion detection, emergency broadcast system, emergency telephone system, and wireless clock system.

The Attain Group is proud to be a member of the development consultant team lead by GRC Architects, and to have worked closely with Algonquin College and the Student Association to help bring this exciting new addition to fruition. For more information regarding this project and our design services, please contact The Attain Group's Dave Hanson at dave.hanson@theattaingroup.com or 613-739-9424 x 232.

Technology Predictions for 2014

Every year, Deloitte prepares and presents its TMT (technology, media, and telecommunication) predictions for the coming year. This year, Duncan Stewart, Director of Research, Deloitte Canada, presented the firm's 2014 predictions for Canada, including:

1. The converged living room - a plateau approaches: Sales of consumer electronic devices are expected to continue growing, but at a slower rate than over the past ten years.
2. Wearables - the eyes have it: In 2014, consumers will be wearing more than $3 billion worth of newly purchased technology.
3. eVisits - the 21st century house call: Patient/doctor relationships are redefined, resulting in 100 million eVisits globally and significant savings.
4. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): Enrollment in massive online open courses will increase 100% in 2014 over 2012. Over the long-term, MOOCs will be a globally disruptive force.
5. TV - those who like it, like it a lot: There will be many changes in TV viewing behavior, although the average traditional TV viewing hours may remain relatively constant.
6. Doubling up on pay-TV: Forget cord cutting - cord stacking is all the rage. By year's end, as many as 50 million homes will subscribe to at least one or more pay-TV service.
7. Broadcast sports rights - premium plus: The value of sports video rights and premium sports rights are on their way up, up, up.
8. The decline of the Canadian cellular voice call? The voice call is declining for some as consumers and businesses find different ways to communicate.
9. Phablets are not a Phad: Part smartphone, part tablet - phablet sales are set to nearly double.
10. The smartphone generation gap - over 55? There's no app for that: Seniors will be the fastest growing demographic adopting smartphones across developed markets.