Industry Analysts Foresee Market Shakeup as Bidding for Canada’s Spectrum Slows
After six weeks of aggressive bidding that will bring over C$4.2 billion to Ottawa’s coffers, Industry Canada’s auction is on the verge of drawing to a close with only a handful of licenses in the far north still in contention. (As we prepared the eNews, round 221 of bidding was underway.) Telecom industry analysts have predicted more enticing wireless packages for Canadian consumers including both casual and heavy wireless users. To date the Canadian wireless industry has been dominated by three industry giants Rogers Communications, Inc., Bell of Canada, and Telus Corporation. Now, industry analysts predict as many as three newcomers offering service in all of Canada’s major markets, with the exception of Quebec, where Quebecor appears to have won most of the new licenses. Another factor to take into account is the lifting of the legal barrier that precludes bidders communicating with, or colluding with, each other. Once that bar has lifted, winners of key spectrum bands could presumably enter into reciprocal deals and joint ventures with other winners. Readers can view auction results for themselves at the Industry Canada website.Everyday brings more news about the burgeoning wireless telecom market. Share your views or news by posting on the NEBS/Telecom Forum on the new InterferenceTechnology.com.
