WIND Mobile CEO: Canadian Mobile Users to Face Higher Prices and Less Choice as a Result of Government Announcement

Decision to cap spectrum auction puts incumbent interests over consumer interests

TORONTO, March 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Despite the government's claim that yesterday's announcement will 'provide Canadian families with more choices at low prices', the reality is that consumers will face higher prices, fewer choices and a return to the era of incumbent dominated wireless, Globalive Wireless Management Corp. stated, following a decision by the Harper government to hold a spectrum auction with caps.

"The announcement creates the illusion that the government has gone all-in to create a competitive wireless landscape, when they've only done half the job," said Anthony Lacavera, CEO of WIND Mobile. "Delivering on foreign ownership is only half of the equation. We've spent countless months telling the government that caps will destroy our ability to compete with the incumbents in the next auction, thereby crippling wireless competition in Canada."

The government is prepared to take credit for creating a level playing field in the upcoming auction, when all they've really done is stack the deck in favour of the incumbents. To build out an LTE network, 10 MHz of spectrum is necessary. This decision only allows new entrants access to half that amount and will prevent any carriers, other than the incumbents, from building faster networks and keeping up with the increased consumer demand for the best available smartphone technology.

"The government invested in a solid foundation but now they're asking us to build a house without the tools," added Lacavera. "It's a simple formula, without the ability to acquire 10 MHz, NO new entrant can build out LTE, which means NO new entrant can viably compete in the long term. This is a smoke and mirrors announcement designed to distract from the fact that they've sided with the incumbents at the expense of Canadians."

Without access to the 700 MHz spectrum set aside at the next auction, no new entrant would be able to acquire enough spectrum to launch LTE and effectively compete with the incumbents.

About WIND Mobile and Globalive Holdings
WIND Mobile provides voice, text and data services to Canadians on a next-generation wireless network and is committed to offering a level of wireless service presently not available in Canada. WIND is built on actual conversations that are happening with Canadians who are passionate about wireless and creating a better mobile offering nationally. For more information about WIND Mobile, please visit www.WINDmobile.ca.

Globalive Holdings is a leading provider of telecommunications solutions in Canada and internationally to the consumer, business and hospitality markets. The Globalive companies include: WIND Mobile, Yak Communications, One Connect, Canopco and Globalive Carrier Services. For more information, visit www.globalive.com.

Media contact:
Shelley Thomas, Narrative Advocacy Media, Office: [phone] x3364, Cell: 416-357-7829, [email protected]