Industry Canada today announced that 282 licences have been conditionally assigned to 15 companies in the Auction of Spectrum Licences for Advanced Wireless Services and Other Spectrum in the 2 GHz Range.
The provisional winners of the auction, held between May 27 and July 21, were posted online after the bidding ended. Successful bidders are eligible to receive licences after making their final payments and showing compliance with Canadian ownership and control requirements.
“The auction exceeded our expectations in terms of the level of competitive bidding activity. I hope the industry keeps this competitive spirit alive as it enhances and expands its services with improved access to the spectrum,” said the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry. “The industry now has an unprecedented opportunity — thanks to the government’s Advanced Wireless Services policy and auction — to develop products and services that offer choice to Canadian consumers and businesses. We think consumers will be the big winners in this auction.”
Of the 105 megahertz (MHz) of spectrum made available, 40 MHz was set aside exclusively for new entrants to bid on. The other 65 MHz was available to all bidders. The set-aside spectrum was put in place to help create a more competitive market and to increase the number of service providers, a decision designed to lead to lower prices.
The auction and AWS policy are the Government of Canada’s contribution to creating a wireless marketplace that offers more choice and better services for consumers and businesses. This auction and policy are designed to increase competition and help the wireless industry develop new and robust services.
AWS spectrum is a valuable resource, providing access to a growing range of innovative wireless applications. It enables next-generation technologies such as high-speed Internet and video, and it provides faster access for mobile phones and other hand-held devices.
Bidding took place electronically over the Internet using secure encryption technology. The auction generated almost $4.3 billion in revenues for the Government of Canada.
List of provisional winners;
1380057 Alberta Ltd.
6934242 Canada Ltd.
6934579 Canada Inc.
9193-2962 Québec Inc.
Bell Mobility Inc.
Blue Canada Wireless Inc.
Bragg Communications Inc.
Celluworld Inc.
Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Wireless Inc.
Globalive Wireless LP
Novus Wireless Inc.
Rich Telecom Corp.
Rogers Communications Inc.
SaskTel
TELUS Communications Company
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