Making predictions is never an easy thing to do – especially when it comes to the dynamic Canadian telecommunications market. Below is a list of SeaBoard’s thoughts and forecasts for the upcoming year. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of predictions – rather it is designed to give clients an idea of what the most significant Canadian telecommunications trends will be this year.

• Approximately 2.5-million Canadians will subscribe to VoIP services by year-end largely because of runaway success of our cable telephony providers.
• Broadband access alternatives, such as WiFi, WiMax and services delivered over UHF broadband will form the basis of new, access-based competition.
• The advent of wireless number portability will force carriers to invest in high-value customers so they don’t flee for rivals. Yet there will be little change in subscriber churn as carriers have already locked in their customers with contracts and promotions prior to March 14.
• New wireless spectrum will be released by Industry Canada. Some spectra could be set aside for a new wireless entrant or entrants.
• Telco and cablecos will renew focus on small and medium-sized enterprises to bolster growth.
• The iPhone will be a runaway success, but Canadians will have to wait until early 2008 to see the device.

The predictions and trends (and others) to watch are explored in greater detail in the body of this paper. Naturally, SeaBoard expects its predictions to come true, even if we missed a few last year. Our luck has to improve!