Reversed decision enables Globalive to enter Canada's cellphone market 'immediately'
By Darren Murph 
posted December 11th 2009 11:24AM
posted December 11th 2009 11:24AM
Tired of being badgered by your contemporaries over in the Northwest Angle about having to deal with those silly "three-year contracts?" Buck up, 'cause a new player has just been cleared to go head-to-head with the likes of Telus, Bell and Rogers in the Great White North. In a surprising reversal of an October CRTC ruling, the federal government in Canada has cleared Globalive to begin operations as a wireless cellphone operator in the country. The most amazing part? No changes are required in the outfit's debt structure or ownership hierarchy. You see, Canada generally requires that its wireless carriers be Canadian-owned, but as it stands, the majority shareholder in Globalive is Egypt's Orascom. Whatever the reasoning, we're just stoked to hear that the company can kick open the doors "effective immediately," and we're hoping to hear that it's doing just that in short order.[Thanks, Martin]
Update: Whoa, that was quick! Looks like WIND (the brand this will all fall under) already has a site ready to rock. No sales or anything yet, but it looks like they won't be taking this reversal of fortunes lightly. Thanks, Leon!
Nice, now the Gov is taking bribes from terrorists..
Well then its time for AT&T and T-Mobile to take over America JR. and rebadge canada with Magenta and the Big Ball!
Cana.. I mean USA #1
ca-na-da-
U-S-A
U-S-A
AHAHA AT&T coming back to canada Ted rogers IS Rolling inhis grave!
too soon?
@NAME
When did T-Mobile become an American company?
@NAME
My bad, T-MO usa not T-Mo Douche Telekom
whatever, the major players.
@NAME Just remember, Canada is on top, and if we were in prison, the US would be our bitch!
@Khris
Kudos to you for the obscure Rick Mercer reference :P
@NAME
There is so much wrong with that comment I don't know where to start.
Good news everyone!!
Professor, is that you?
@Andir Or a big fat placebo! It's all the same crap!
Suck that Rogers...
@2Lazy
YeaYea!
Fuck yeah.
@Apocrypha
Damn, I was hoping I'd be the only one with that answer! :D
Those kids in the hippie clothes do not represend canadians.
@NAME Neither does your horrible spelling!
@NAME lol what are you talking about? ever been to the city or seen any of the youth today? People act like hipsters are new
anyways, Can't wait to see what type of service Globalive has. I can almost be free from Rogers in a few more months!
@NAME those are not hippie kids.
First half is right though.
@NAME
All the same I would begin operations in her market immediately. Just sayin'.
@NAME represend: to pre-send again? I think you're right, those kids don't do that with Canada
Competition ? In canada ???
HELL YES
This is great news, I hope they come out with competitive plans and sweep the market
I don't know... I'm quite liberal... but somehow, I don't really like the idea of an outside telecom coming into Canada... very Conservatist of me... Hmmm...
@otarolgam We have the worst cellphone companies to exist. We're charged in 3 years what the states is charged in 2 years. Our biggest concept of 'competition' in this market is Bell or Rogers opening another brand, like Fido, and making the less intelligent among us think we have tons of companies and networks.
Let's hope they come out with some great pricing deals. I can't wait to say F U to my current carrier.
@LGH
Leaked price plans
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1599655
WHOOOO!!!
Videotron is also setting up it's own GSM towers. Right now they resell Rogers. That will change soon.
@Botrax videotron is quebec only, and globalive is everywhere but quebec.
Rogers can stuff it muhahahahah.Now what does their android lineup look like?
FANTASTIC!!!!!!
http://www.davewireless.com/
MOAR COMPETITION IN CANADA !!!
I'm totally in favour (with a u) of the decision. I realize the CRTC was following the law to the letter, but that's not a good thing. The law is outdated and it's the CRTC's responsibility to recommend up-to-date procedure to the government to make reasonable decisions based on current market conditions. The CRTC (as all Canadians knows) has fallen back on it's routine and has become obsolete. I'm glad the government has gone ahead and done the reasonable thing. (Hopefully a glimmer of hope for the future of telecom policy in Canada)
All that said, I will have to see some major investment on the part of Globalive in the form of infrastructure before I consider them 'competition' to the current carriers in Canada. And if anything, I'd rather see the internet market opened up, rather than the wireless market.
Wow, I hope they come out with a data plan better then $30/month for ONE WHOLE GB!
YES!!! Down with 500mb/$25 data plans!
Let's hope this ruling opens the door for even more competition.
Hopefully the new entrants will be strong enough to not just get bought by the big three as soon as they get enough customers. Fido and Clearnet used to be competitors, then they got eaten by Rogers and Telus.
Just because they're coming in, doesn't mean they won't get absorbed.
As an unfortunate resident of this telecommunications sinkhole of a country, I can only say FUCK YEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH.
Bell, Telus, and Rogers can cry all the salty tears they want, this is utterly fantastic news.
FUCK YOU ROGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF this company is GSM + iPhone = Im there.. I also hope they start up an internet service as well.
@Donelop
Sorry, they use the same frequency as T-Mobile USA.
So no iPhone there.
Finally allowed! yay!
But to anyone hoping iPhone support, you can go and hope Rogers/Telus/Bell drop prices once the competition starts.
As it was already set by Wind, the iPhone is not a device they are looking forward to carry, but on the other hand they WILL accept unlocked phones to be used for windmobile as long as they are compatible with their network.
I hope this company can bleed Telus and Rogers and Bell dry of thier customers, Telus and thier shit choice of only offering 3 year contracts or nothing on the newer phones can shove it.
The CRTC needs to wake up to a few facts. Cell phones have become a necessity in this century ! It is a requirement for my Job. And the reccession should show that the consumer needs to have an out to recover ones bills, Contracts should only apply to the purchase of the Overly inflated expensive phone NOT on the services.
I should have the ability to cancel my phones services freely at any time. But we all know how that will work in the end, they will just recoup thier cash with exorbant hook up and disconnect fees.
@JJ
I agree with you 100% man, I just hope Rogers/Telus/Bell die and finally realize that they've been treating us like dirt...
Wind uses AWS 1700mhz (Band IV?), same as T-Mobile 3G. Other new entrants will use it too, since they all grabbed spectrum in the 2008 AWS auction.
So even for people down south, T-Mobile should benefit from greater manufacturer interest in supporting these networks as a result of this decision.
Finally! it's about damn time we have another choice other than Telass in Canada. Rogers' monopoly is OVER.
With another carrier using AWS, there would be more unlocked AWS handsets available in 2010.
The Northwest Angle reference is awesomely obscure. Way to go Murph.
@norman Thank you norman! You've made my day by taking notice! Happy trails!
can someone say woot!woot!! such a big fat one rogers and telus and bell. I hope more competition keeps cumming....err I mean coming your way...heheheh.
:) nuff said.
I'm 1 year away from being free of my Rogers 3-year contract. I wonder what excuses they'll come up with for treating me like shit when that date starts getting closer.
Is it coming to all of Canada or just certain provinces?