Last month, the CRTC ruled against Globalive and their WIND Mobile brand as becoming a wireless carrier in Canada. Globalive was one of a few new wireless carrier entrants into Canada that could have shaken up the industry.
During the recent Canadian wireless spectrum auction, Globalive spent $442 million to purchase wireless spectrum licenses and aimed to deliver cellular service to five Canadian cities in 2009 and then nationally across Canada in 2010.
These plans posed a threat to all of the current wireless carriers in Canada, as the more companies that enter the industry in Canada could cause competitive pressure on the current dominating players.
Since the Globalive situation is currently on hold, Rogers Wireless and Bell Canada have expressed interest in purchasing the wireless spectrum that Globalive owns. Rogers Communications CEO Nadir Mohamed stated that Rogers would happily purchase the Globalive wireless spectrum if Globalive is unable to launch.
On the same note, Bell Canada also expressed interest in Globalive’s wireless spectrum, stating:
“if the spectrum is to be forfeited and returned to industry Canada… Industry Canada will then re-auction the returned spectrum…. Bell Canada is prepared buy up to 50% of it for up to 50% of the price payed by Globaliveâ€
It is quite clear why Rogers or Bell Canada would want this spectrum, as it would further solidify either company’s position in the Canadian wireless industry. It will be interesting to see how this develops but will definitely not be good news if Globalive has to forfeit their wireless spectrum licenses to any of the current dominating wireless carriers.
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Why don't we lobby the CRTC (copy the Yanks) to not sell any more of our spectrum to these 2 companies?
Hmmm… Interesting lol
They can want the specturm all they want, I can't see Globalive selling it.
Our politicians are completely bought by these large corporations. It's disgusting.
So- any suggestions as to what we do to empower the consumer??
crtc are a bunch of retards i say we all revolt
we can't trust those old farts to run our media they're useless
I thought the whole purpose of the wireless spectrum auction was to increase competition. If that remains true, then the CRTC should, by default, refuse to sell to either existing carrier….
This is so wrong. Reminds me of Rogers and their early plans to take over Microcell, which they sucessfully did in the end.
Why wouldn't they sell it? If they can't get enough Canadian ownership then holding onto it is pointless. It's already worth so much more than what they bought it for. If they can't get their affairs in order, I'm sure there is a limit on how long they can hold onto it before being forced to sell.
That's the thing: I haven't read anything that says they're planning to give up on starting their mobile operations. And it's precisely because it's worth so much I suspect they'll do what they can to get their network launched rather than sell it.
Exactly! So much for looking forward to more competition and dropping down of prices…
Globalive seemed to be pretty confident that they can launch. I saw that they just started building a retail store in one of the mall in the last few days, way after the CRTC ruling.
Globalive seemed to be pretty confident that they can launch. I saw that they just started building a retail store in one of the mall in the last few days, way after the CRTC ruling.
Exactly! So much for looking forward to more competition and dropping down of prices…