Record-setting spectrum auction ends

Bell, Rogers and Telus grab most of licences, but two cablecos and a long-distance provider appear to be strong newcomers By: Howard Solomon Network World Canada (21 Jul 2008) After 331 rounds of bidding over 40 days, the AWS spectrum auction ended this morning, setting the stage for a new competitive wireless era in Canada. From a financial standpoint for the federal government, the auction could only be called a smashing success. Bidders pushed the value of the 292 licences across the country to an unexpected $4.254 billion, which must have left federal treasury officials dazed. Industry Canada’s hopes for more competition leading to lower prices, innovative services and wider cellular adoption seems almost assured. Depending on whether there are mergers or alliances among the new entrants once the ministry certifies the... [read full story]