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 more than 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 Mgmt 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, visit our About Us page.
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For more information, please contact:
Rick Byun Narrative Advocacy Media (416) 644-4124 or rick.byun@narrativeadvocacy.com
I appreciate the note, and look forward to your planned response. I still have hope and belief in you.
Tell me what to do to help you. I signed petition to dissolve crtc already.
I have enough.
I sure hope you guys get this figured out soon. I was really looking forward to leaving Telus for you guys. PLEASE get things figured out lol
OK, this is obviously disappointing but hardly unexpected. This is exactly what Bell/Rogers/Telus were aiming for from the start. So, what is the Wind Mobile strategy to deal with this situation?
@joedoe
I suggest you find out what laws are around the word for each country regarding foreign ownership rules before saying they made the right decision. Canada is just falling behind...... way behind....
This is really disappointing news. This also sends a bad signal for international firms wishing to invest in Canada.
The CRTC is a backwards organization that provides little to no value to Canadians. They should be shut down and dismantled. They're a total waste of taxpayer money.
Fight this. We need companies like WIND now more than ever. We need change in the wireless industry ASAP.
Good luck with whatever happens. You have my support.
@ Joe Doe
I think you should stop trolling without adding anything to discuss.
Moreover, if you look at the issues, this is far from a cut and dried "the crtc made the right choice" case. There's a reason why the decision was delayed until now. Moreover other industry experts have expressed shock at the ruling as it basically means two governing bodies are at odds with each other.
There really isn't a right choice here, it's which choice will benefit Canadians more. All it shows is that our governing bodies are archaic and to some degree, produce pseudo Orwellian doublespeak. Interesting, since this is, to some degree, a topic on expression.
Get the damn ownership resolved by bringing in another Canadian investor...
Discuss this with Jim Flaherty and Tony Clement...
The CRTC is run by the companies that continue to block fair access to the internet and cellular lines. This is ridiculous. The big three are f**king us.
More and unsurprising CRTC BS. We can have foreign owned auto makers, foreign owned broadcasters beaming their content into our country, foreign owned coffee shops, but heaven forbid that we should have any type of competition and open globalized marketplace when it comes to wireless communications.
This only makes me hate the big 3 even more. As I see it, this is a setback and hope Wind will be back at the table soon to resolve this ridiculous game this organization is playing with the state of our wireless industry.
I AM SICK AND TIRED OF PAYING TOO MUCH FOR TOO LITTLE.
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