New entrant commissions political cartoon to illustrate
absurdity of incumbents' wireless spectrum claims
TORONTO, Feb. 29, 2012 /CNW/ - Inspired by Charles Dickens' classic novel Oliver Twist, Mobilicity today released a special-edition cartoon satirizing Canada's incumbent carriers' hoarding of spectrum and trying to prevent new entrants from getting any spectrum to grow.
"For Mobilicity, acquiring more spectrum in the upcoming Federal Government auction is a must-have - not a nice-to-have," said President and Chief Operating Officer Stewart Lyons. "Our current 3G technology uses our entire 10MHz of spectrum and we need more to expand and introduce new technologies, such as LTE."
The incumbent carriers own more spectrum than any other carrier in the world and don't need any more, Lyons added. Furthermore, a large portion of the incumbent carriers' current spectrum was given to them FREE OF CHARGE in 1985. According to recent estimates from the SeaBoard Group, the free spectrum the Big 3 carriers received from the Government is now valued at more than $20 Billion.
Emphasizing that a set-aside is the only way the government can ensure new entrants, like Mobilicity, have access to the spectrum in the upcoming auction, Lyons said, "The government invited us to raise hundreds of millions of dollars and employ scores of Canadians to create a competitive environment for consumers. We expect them to make the appropriate decision to keep wireless competition going."
Earlier this month, Mobilicity disclosed that it grew by approximately 63,000 net additions during the fourth quarter of 2011 - surpassing two incumbents' publically reported net new customer numbers - demonstrating that Canadians are embracing new entrants and want them to succeed.
"Our value-based service is clearly resonating with Canadian consumers," Lyons said. "The Federal Government's desire to foster a competitive environment has worked, and providing new entrants with access to spectrum through the 700 MHz auction will be an essential component of furthering the gains in competition realized to date."
About Mobilicity (DAVE Wireless)
Mobilicity, Canada's smart mobile carrier, was created to bring down the cost of wireless with unlimited talk, text and data plans, affordable North American coverage, plus popular handsets and smartphones - without locking customers into contracts or charging extra or hidden fees. Everything Mobilicity does adds up to a better wireless experience, not an expensive one. NOW THAT'S SMART.
Formerly known as Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Wireless Inc. (DAVE Wireless), the company is led by Obelysk, a diversified Canadian holding company, and Quadrangle Capital Partners, a global investor in the telecommunications and media sectors. Mobilicity was named one of Canada's Top 25 Up and Coming Information & Communication Technology start-ups in 2010 by the Branham Group Inc. Further information about Mobilicity can be found at www.mobilicity.ca.
Image with caption: "New entrant Mobilicity illustrates the absurdity of Canada's incumbent carriers' wireless spectrum claims with a 'twist' on Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. The cartoon satirizes the Big 3 carriers' hoarding of spectrum and attempts to prevent new entrants from getting any from the government to grow. (CNW Group/Mobilicity)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120229_C8500_PHOTO_EN_10602.jpg
For more information, images or interviews, please contact:
Sheryl Steinberg
Director, Corporate Affairs
Mobilicity
647-70-PRESS
[email protected]
Jennifer Marron
Specialist, Corporate Affairs
Mobilicity
[email protected]
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