Players interested in acquiring spectrum space during the forthcoming wireless spectrum auction submitted their application by last Tuesday. And the wait is over: Industry Canada released the highly anticipated list of applications this morning. It includes 15 names. The bad news is that no foreign player is interested in Canada.
The stake is really high: the 700 MHZ frequency represents the most valuable air waves and could redesign the Canadian wireless landscape. As expected, the Big Three have submitted their applications to acquire spectrum, as well as Wind Mobile, which already publicized its bid strategy.
But the list also contains surprise names as well: Birch Hill’s name appeared recently as part of Roger’s secret plan to take over Wind and Mobilicity. Now the company has signed up to bid as BH Wave Acquisition Corporation.
Another interesting move comes from Catalyst Capital Group, which is one of Mobilicity’s largest shareholders — currently tied in a legal battle with the struggling wireless startup. The private equity firm also has joined the hunt for spectrum.
While Mobilicity skipped this opportunity — given its current state — its chairman John Bitove has decided to participate in the auction with another company, Feenix Wireless Inc, which lists him as CEO.
Here is the full list of participating players:
Surprised?
Update: Industry Minister James Moore has made the following statement in regards to the 700MHz auction:
“Today, Industry Canada published the list of applicants for the 700 MHz spectrum auction scheduled for January 14, 2014. This high-quality spectrum will soon be deployed across Canada, providing Canadians with dependable, high-speed wireless services on the latest technologies.
“Well before this summer’s public debate on wireless policy, our Government introduced a number of measures to create more choice in Canada’s wireless market and to defend consumers. As a result, prices have come down, the number of jobs in the wireless sector has increased and consumers have more choices. This trend will continue as a result of January’s auction.
“In addition to this auction, our Government will continue to aggressively pursue policies that ensure consumer interests are at the core of all Government decisions.”
