Industry Canada will launch an initiative that could lead to the award of up to 29 licenses to develop satellites, the largest spectrum licensing initiative in Canadian history, the agency announced July 11.

“We need to increase satellite capacity over the next few years, and this announcement is about securing and allocating satellite orbital resources,” Maxime Bernier, Canada’s Minister of Industry, said in a statement. “This initiative will lead to new investments in Canada, and to new and more accessible telecommunications services for Canadians of all regions.”

Industry Canada expects to announce the winners in spring 2007 and for services to be provided as early as 2009. The new capacity is expected to help provide high-definition TV services as well as other new and advanced telecommunication services connecting all regions of Canada.

Selected applicants also are expected to direct 2 percent of their future operating revenues to fund special initiatives to improve access to telecommunications services in underserved communities.