Canadian Spectrum Auction Passes $-4 Billion Mark

Industry Canada’s auction of available wireless spectrum is in its 20^th day, has passed the C$4-billion mark, and as the eNews is being prepared is in round 131 of bidding. The auction has far surpassed the projections of industry analysts, who originally believed that the bidding for the 105-MHz of spectrum licenses would yield approximately 1.5 billion. Now speculation centers on whether the new entrants to the wireless telecom sector, such as Globalive Communications Corp. and Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Wireless, Inc., will take the risky course of creating a whole new wireless system or will partner with existing telecom giants. Still, this decision will have to wait until the auction is complete. Industry Canada rules ban any communications between bidders until 30 days after bidding has concluded. Check the latest results at the Industry Canadawebsite.