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Several major technological innovations are driving Canadian demand for telecommunications equipment, valued at approximately US$5 billion in 1996, including the widespread introduction of high-capacity optical fiber, the exponential growth in Internet usage, the digitization of telecommunications, and the emergence of new access technologies -- such as Personal Communications Services, Local Multipoint Communication Systems, two-way broadband cable, wireless cable, and satellite.
Furthermore, the move from analog to digital communications, combined with the development of intelligent systems platforms, has vastly increased network capacity and unleashed unlimited possibilities in enhanced value-added services. There has also been an accelerating convergence between telecommunications technologies and information technologies.
All electrically powered products sold in Canada must comply with the standards established by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Canada's largest standard-writing body.
In addition to CSA requirements, wireless telecommunications equipment imported into Canada for sale must be certified by the federal department of Industry Canada according to the Canadian Radiocommunication Act and the Radiocommunication Regulations. Industry Canada's equipment certification requirements for wireless telephones and pagers are covered by several existing "Radio Standards Specification" (RSS) regulations(most of which can be downloaded from the Internet). In addition, the department also has provisional RSS requirements for certain newer wireless technologies (such as "2 GHz" PCS), copies of which can be requested from Industry Canada.
In addition to product certification/marking requirements, instructions accompanying wireless telecommunications equipment imported into Canada for sale must be provided in both of Canada's official languages, English and French, and must also comply with Canadian packaging and labeling requirements as prescribed by the Department of Industry Canada. There are additional requirements for ther region of Quebec. The province's Office de la Langue Francaise may be contacted for specific details on language requirements.