Companies interested in bidding in next year’s 700MHz spectrum auction had until September 17th to submit their paperwork and put down their refundable deposits. Industry Canada today released the list of participants There are no major surprises but still a few interesting entries:
- 1770129 Alberta Inc.
- Bell Mobility Inc.
- BH Wave Acquisition Corporation
- Bragg Communications Incorporated
- Feenix Wireless Inc.
- Globalive Wireless Management Corp.
- MTS Inc.
- Novus Wireless Inc.
- Rogers Communications Partnership
- Saskatchewan Telecommunications
- TBayTel
- TELUS Communications Company
- The Catalyst Capital Group Inc.
- Vecima Networks Inc.
- Vidéotron s.e.n.c.
Not surprisingly, the big three are there alongside a number of regional carriers including Eastlink (as Bragg Communications), MTS, SaskTel and Videotron. WIND Mobile which already confirmed its entry is also in as Globalive Wireless Management.
Despite rumours that a number of foreign carriers were mulling entries, none eventually decided to enter the auction.
Then there are the lesser-known entries. Some turn out to be quite interesting. For example, Catalyst Capital has been talking about setting up a fourth national carrier since the summer. It also happens to be Mobilicity’s biggest creditor. Another private-equity firm, Birch Hill Equity Partners Management Inc., has entered as BH Wave Acquistion Corporation. Last we heard, it was mulling acquiring WIND Mobile with a plan to then share the spectrum with Rogers Wireless.
Missing are both Public Mobile which is now owned by Thomvest Seed Capital Inc. and U.S. private equity firm Cartesian Capital Group LLC and Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Wireless Inc. which operates as Mobilicity. Interestingly though, another entry, Feenix Wireless Inc., is headed up by John Bitove who also happens to be Mobilicity’s chairman.
The participating cast should make for an interesting auction when it kicks off in January.
Sources : Industry Canada // The Globe and Mail