Annual Survey of Telecommunications (AST)

Summary of changes

Activity on this program started: 1997

Reference period of change - 2011

The imputation and estimation methodology for the Annual Survey of Telecommunications was modified in 2011 for two reasons: to make it more compatible with the online collection done by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC); and to bring it into line with new concepts and new coverage of this survey, which Statistics Canada has conducted in partnership with the CRTC since 2007. The new methodology also provides an opportunity to use tax data as an alternative source for imputation. These changes affect the comparability of the overall statistical series on telecommunications released before 2011 in the Statistics Canada publication, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Vol. 38, no. 1 (56-001-XIE).

Reference period of change - 2007

Starting in 2007, the survey is conducted in partnership with the Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC). This approach is used in order to avoid duplication, minimize response burden on the industry and promote coherence of the Canadian statistical system. The annual survey is complemented by a quarterly survey that collects more timely data for selected key variables (see survey number 2721).

Target population - As of 2007, this survey targets establishments classified in sub-sector 517 (Telecommunications) of the 2007 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

Instrument design - For the 2007 survey cycle, selected existing modules were modified and new modules added in order to collect information required to produce national and provincial input-output tables. In particular, a module was introduced to collect more detailed information on the inputs used by the sub-sector and a few modules were added to collect information on the outputs of the telecommunications services sub-sector by province and territory of origin. The module to collect inputs is based on similar modules found in services industries surveys conducted by Statistics Canada, including the Annual Survey of Telecommunications and the Annual Survey of Internet Services Providers that are being replaced by this survey.

Reference period of change - 2002

Target population - In terms of industrial classification, this survey's target population is now covered by the following North American Industry Classification System (NACIS 2002) sub-sector categories: Telecommunications (category 517) except for establishments of industry group 5175 - Cable and Other Program distribution (see survey 2728).

Reference period of change - 1999

Prior to reference year 1999, the survey was conducted under the title of the "Annual Survey of Telecommunications Service Providers".

Reference period of change - 1998

The Annual Survey of Telecommunications Service Providers was introduced in 1997. Resellers, satellite telecommunications providers and paging companies were surveyed for the first time starting in 1997. Radio common carriers (dispatch telecommunications services) were added for the 1998 reference year. Starting in 1998, respondents reported intra-industry transactions on a gross basis rather than on a net basis. The new telecommunications survey is the outcome of a redesign process to reflect regulatory, market, technological and statistical innovations in the previous two decades. The redesign process was undertaken in conjunction with an Advisory Group consisting of representatives from industry, academia and government and subsequently tested by all major telecommunications service providers. This survey replaces the Annual Telephone Survey, designed in 1971 and updated in 1987, and which only surveyed the wireline industry.

For a description of the former Annual Telephone Survey, please refer to the document entitled "Telephone Statistics Survey -- Annual" available in the "Documentation" section located at the end of the detailed information for the 1998 reference period of this survey.