Globalive: A Bad Day For Canadians And Wireless Competition In Canada
- October 29, 2009
CRTC at odds with Industry Canada as competition in wireless faces delays
TORONTO – October 29, 2009 – WIND Mobile will be delayed in becoming Canada’s newest competitive wireless operator in over a decade, Globalive Wireless Management Corp. announced today on the heels of a regulatory decision from the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).
In its decision, the CRTC came to a different conclusion than Industry Canada and has indicated that Globalive Wireless is not in compliance with the Canadian ownership and control requirements set out in the Telecommunications Act.
“Having already received approval from Industry Canada, we are extremely disappointed that the CRTC has come to a different conclusion,” said Anthony Lacavera, Chairman, Globalive Wireless Management Corp. “This is a bad day for Canadian consumers. Canadians deserve competition in wireless and this decision represents a major step backwards.”
The CRTC decision came after Industry Canada had undertaken its own review of Globalive’s Canadian ownership and control and was on the heels of public hearings that concluded on October 1. The public hearings included representations from the incumbents who argued against the launch of Globalive Wireless.
“WIND Mobile had planned to launch in the coming weeks. We have pulled together an excellent team of over 500 people and had built a strong network and operation across the country. We are ready to bring competition to the market.” said Ken Campbell, CEO of WIND Mobile. “We will be evaluating our options on how to proceed.”
About Globalive Wireless Management Corp. and WIND Mobile
Globalive Wireless Management Corp. will provide voice, text and data services to Canadians under the brand name WIND on a next-generation wireless network and is committed to offering a level of wireless service presently not available in Canada. WIND is built on actual conversations that are happening with Canadians who are passionate about wireless and creating a better mobile offering nationally. For more information about WIND Mobile, please visit www.windmobile.ca.
For more information, please contact:
Rick Byun
Narrative Advocacy Media
(416) 644-4124 or rick.byun@narrativeadvocacy.com
