Ep. 25: Canadian Telecoms and The Promise of Independent Towers with Dan Carpenter and Wendy Zatylny

Leadership Perspectives

Canada’s mobile broadband usage numbers are dismal. We rank dead last in mobile broadband users and have some of lowest mobile data usage compared to other G7 countries. These metrics need to improve. While there is much discussion on the number of providers and the competitiveness of our telecommunications industry, there’s another way to move the needle.

Research by The Conference Board of Canada shows that increased tower sharing can play a role in changing this critical metric for Canadians. It could allow for more tower development in rural and remote regions, eliminate redundancies in infrastructure development, reduce the environmental impact of passive infrastructure, and lead to improved connectivity. In this episode, our guests Dan Carpenter, Research Associate, The Conference Board of Canada and Wendy Zatylny, Country Manager, SBA Communications Canada join us to discuss how changes at the federal and municipal levels could help foster the growth of the tower sharing industry in Canada.
Read more:

• Improving Tower Sharing in Canada: The Potential Role of a Healthy Independent Tower Industry (CBoC)
• Sharing Towers: Canada’s Potential for an Independent Tower Industry (CBoC)

About our guests:
Dan Carpenter is a Research Associate on the Innovation and Technology team at the Conference Board of Canada. Previous to this, he worked in the finance and tech sectors. Dan has conducted research on a range of topics, such as analyzing global cleantech markets, exploring how Canadian businesses are adapting to automation, and producing several Future Skills Centre reports on occupational transitions. Dan completed his Master’s in Globalization from McMaster University where he focused on the global governance of artificial intelligence.
Wendy Zatylny is Country Manager, Canada, SBA Communications Canada. Wendy Zatylny, the first female country manager in SBA's international markets.

Prior to joining SBA Canada, Wendy was the President of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities for nine years. With over 25 years of experience in domestic and international communications, Wendy is a skilled strategist and executive with a distinctive set of talents. Her expertise encompasses a broad range of areas, including strategic and policy planning and implementation, stakeholder relations, government affairs, event and media planning, crisis management, media spokespersonship, and writing. Additionally, she possesses proficiency in producing top-notch print and collateral materials, as well as multimedia and social media products. Beyond work, she is a ballroom dancer and a proud mother to a son who plays rugby.