This IDC study provides insights about the Canadian and Chinese wireless industries. Although China's wireless penetration is lower than Canada's, its massive market and strong wireless usage in major tier 1 cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou still provide meaningful insights to Canadian wireless players. China Mobile and China Unicom, the two largest players in the Chinese wireless market, have demonstrated innovation and strong growth through the development of segment-focused brands, enhanced data and personalization services, and robust urban networks.

"Canadian wireless carriers and handset vendors can learn from experiences in China, not just through the transfer of business practices but also from the knowledge and behavior carried into to Canada by Chinese immigrants," says Steve Yang, associate analyst, Communications Research, IDC Canada. Taking those learnings from abroad will help the Canadian sector create valuable services designed for Chinese new Canadians, and for the wireless market as a whole.