The CEO of mobile operator Public Mobile expects one of the two other Canadian new operators to run out of funds by the end of 2011, presenting an acquisition opportunity.
Reports on 31 March claimed that Alek Krstajic had said that he would love to be…
The CEO of mobile operator Public Mobile expects one of the two other Canadian new operators to run out of funds by the end of 2011, presenting an acquisition opportunity.
Reports on 31 March claimed that Alek Krstajic had said that he would love to be an acquirer, and that he had made calls to the two operators in question, Mobilicity and Wind Mobile.
Krstajic was quoted telling a press conference that consolidation was a possibility since no federal rules prevent it among new wireless players.
He added that access to capital is everything.
Public Mobile is backed by multiple Canadian and US private equity and venture capital firms.
Its largest investor is the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement Scheme (OMERS) Private Equity.
Its US investors include Colombia Capital and M/C Venture Partners.
Krstajic also said that the next spectrum auction, which is scheduled for 2012, should be restricted to the three new operators to ensure competition.
Mobilicity, Public Mobile and Wind Mobile reportedly cannot be acquired by the three largest telcos – Bell, Rogers and Telus – before 2014 because of restrictions on the spectrum the new operators acquired in 2008.
Mobilicity, Public Mobile and Wind Mobile did not reply to questions before the press deadline.
