Industry Canada is in the process of consulting Canadians on a policy and technical framework for the 700 MHz band and aspects related to commercial mobile spectrum SMSE-018-10.

Axia is proposing a simple solution that is focused on the needs of rural broadband users. We believe the provincial government, or its independent agent, should be given all of the rural 700 MHz spectrum under a rural set-aside, at no cost, provided certain conditions are met. Details of our proposal are available here.

Axia's solution would assign 700 MHz spectrum at no cost to Retail Service Providers based on competitive criteria that would take into account:

• Highest percentage of rural customers reached
• Service quality and performance
• Price of services

As part of our reply submission to Industry Canada, Axia would like any interested Retail Service Providers or prospective Service Providers to visit our website and identify each of the areas you would be interested in providing rural service to under such a plan. The deadline for submissions by interested parties is March 28th, 2011.

Use the control or shift key to select more than one area. Thank you for your input.