TORONTO – Globalive Wireless Management Corp. has “officially” received its wireless spectrum licenses from Industry Canada.
The wireless newcomer, which offers the Yak long distance product, VOIP and third-party ISP services, purchased its spectrum at last May’s advanced wireless services spectrum auction for $442 million.
But its licenses were awarded on a provisional basis, after wireless incumbents Rogers Communications and Telus complained that the company’s ownership structure violated the Canadian legislation which says telecom companies must be majority-owned by Canadians. (Parent company Globalive Communications is co-owned by Orascom, a global wireless player based in Egypt with over 77 million wireless subscribers. Orascom owns 65% of the equity, but less than 50% of voting control of Globalive Communication).
"We worked closely with Industry Canada throughout their detailed review and are pleased to be moving forward with this exciting project," said chairman and CEO Anthony Lacavera, in a statement. "Having been issued our licenses, we are one huge step closer to improving the wireless experience for Canadians by giving them a wireless company that listens, responds and collaborates with its customers."
Working towards a launch date of late 2009, Toronto-based Globalive Wireless will provide voice, text and data services to Canadians on a next-generation GSM network.
