Ottawa moves to toughen cellphone rules for carriers Dropped calls and lousy service could be a thing of the past for Canadians who venture beyond their cellphone company's coverage area, as the government implements a series of changes it says will drive down prices for cellphone users across the country. The government announced the new rules as it set the date for a wireless spectrum auction it said would allow new entrants to better compete with established cellphone providers, and ensure that each region of Canada has at least four companies competing for customers. Ahead of the auction, the government wants to tighten the rules that govern how cellphone companies work together to serve their customers. One of the key changes is a mandatory requirement to allow customers from other carriers to "roam" a different carrier's coverage area rather than seeing their service cut dead because their own carrier doesn't have any towers in the area. "No Canadian should be left stranded simply because he or she is outside the range of the chosen service provider," Industry Minister Christian Paradis said at a press conference Thursday morning. The government first proposed mandatory roaming in 2008, but many agreements were about to expire and enforcement was difficult because of a long arbitration process (which the government said would be streamlined to better ensure compliance). Meanwhile, one of the biggest barriers to entry for new companies is building their network of towers. The towers are expensive to build (costs which must ultimately be passed on to consumers), but are also controversial in many communities where they are erected. Residents often complain about their unsightly appearance, and have also expressed health concerns about living so close to the antennas. New rules were introduced in 2008 that encouraged established players to share space with competitors, but the government said it would toughen its monitoring to ensure it's actually happening. "This will reduce cellphone proliferation, a major concern across the country, while ensuring national wireless coverage for consumers," he said. The last spectrum auction was in 2008, with Canadian carriers spending about $4-billion to secure the spectrum needed to expand their networks. There's no way to know how much will be raised this time - there is less spectrum available, but more bidders - and all money raised goes back into government coffers. "Rules are in place to facilitate access to wireless spectrum for smaller providers, increase competitiveness and ensure Canadian families continue to see the benefits of the most advanced wireless services," Mr. Paradis said. Companies need access to spectrum - which is limited - in order to offer their customers a wider range of services. The 700 MHz spectrum auction is set for Nov. 19, and the 2500 MHz spectrum auction set for next year. The spectrum being auctioned is seen as more valuable than what has been offered in the past, because it is well suited to carrying the data the country's cellphone users are consuming in ever-increasing proportions as they move to smartphones and tablets. The government has set the rules to ensure at least four carriers can access spectrum in each region, and that rural areas also see increased service as the companies expand their networks. "Our government's priority is to provide greater wireless coverage at lower rates for consumers," he said, adding that more spectrum would likely be put on the block the year after these two auctions are complete. Wireless services are changing our families, our work and our economy. The government also said it would review its policy on licence transfer requests. The country's incumbent wireless providers currently control 85 per cent of the market, and the government said it would start a public consultation March 7, with comments due by April 3, into how they should be scrutinized when transferring spectrum licences to rivals.