Canada’s business ministry has revealed the list of 12 participants that will feature in the tender for spectrum licences in the 700 MHz.
The list is two parties lighter than Industry Canada’s register of pre-approved bidders after rural…
Canada’s business ministry has revealed the list of 12 participants that will feature in the tender for spectrum licences in the 700 MHz.
The list is two parties lighter than Industry Canada’s register of pre-approved bidders after rural fixed-wireless broadband provider CCI Wireless and hardware-focused Vecima Networks pulled out.
Their withdrawals follow that of Birch Hill Equity Partners – previously linked to the acquisitions of Wind Mobile and Mobilicity – which pulled out in mid-October without saying why.
Incumbent operators Bell Canada, Rogers Communications and Telus have all qualified to bid and will likely be the only participants to try and buy national licences.
Wind Mobile, Canada’s number four operator by subscribers, could also bid for a national licence, but is seen as more likely to just go for spectrum in Ontario.
Its local rival Mobilicity is not directly participating in the auction due to financial difficulties but its founder John Bitove and Catalyst Capital, which holds bonds in the indebted company, are both on the list.
Other regional players such as EastLink, MTS, SaskTel, TBayTel and Videotron have also qualified.
Bidders will receive more information on the auction later this month and will be able to take part in mock auctions ahead of the final tender, scheduled for 14 January.
