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The Daily

The Daily. Monday, October 29, 2001

Telecommunications statistics

1999

Operating profits in the telecommunications industry rose 2.6% in 1999 even though only two of five sectors showed a profit, according to the annual Survey of Telecommunications. The industry recorded an overall operating profit of $3.9 billion, up $100 million from 1998. Operating revenues increased 1.8% to $29.0 billion, while operating expenses rose 1.7% to $25.1 billion.

Of the five telecommunications industries, only the wireline telephone industry and satellite service industry showed operating profits in 1999. Posting losses were: the wireless industry, consisting of cellular phone, paging and radio communications companies; reselling industries; and other telecommunications industries.

The industry's net income improved dramatically in 1999, posting a gain of $825 million compared with a $329 million loss in 1998. This change was due largely to the wireline industry's reporting much larger write-offs in 1998 than in 1999, a result of restructuring to prepare for pending market liberalizations.

Full-time employment continued its downward trend, slipping 3.0% from 1998 levels to 80,749 persons. In contrast, part-time employment increased 2.9%. Overall, there were 2.3% fewer people working in the industry. However, the decrease in employment did not lead to lower labour expenses, as salaries, wages and benefits increased 8.9%.

Revenue per employee (based on full-time equivalents) increased 5.3% from 1998. The wireless sector led the way at almost $382,000. The wired sector reported the highest average full-time remuneration, $70,723.

The telecommunications industry continued its high level of capital spending ($5.98 billion) in 1999, although this was a 7.2% decline from 1998. Construction expenditures fell 28.2%, while machinery and equipment spending rose 3.5%.

There were almost 27 million voice-grade access paths to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), a 9.4% increase. This consisted of 20.1 million voice-grade access lines and 6.9 million mobile, or wireless, telephone channels (subscribers). Most of the growth in PSTN access in 1999 came from mobile services, which increased 29.1% over 1998. Almost 38% of mobile services, or 2.6 million subscribers, were digital at the end of 1999.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Haig McCarrell (613-951-5948), Science, Innovation and Electronic Information Division.



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Date Modified: 2001-10-29 Important Notices