TELUS Picked Up Mobilicity, WIND Mobile Might Go to Fondo, What's Public Mobile's Future?

BY: 

Dave Forde
May 22, 2013

Public MobileBack in April, Waterloo-based Fondo announced they plan to acquire WIND Mobile, last week TELUS acquired Mobilicity so the natural question that one may ask is – what will happen with Public Mobile?  The mobile company has been rather quiet expect for the joint announcement they made last month with Mobilicity and WIND Mobile where the three organization agreed to withdrawal from the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association. Here’s an excerpt from the press release:

“When we were first approached by the CWTA, we were promised clear and fair representation on issues of true industry alignment,” said Simon Lockie, Chief Regulatory Officer for WIND Mobile. “But despite making our objections and concerns abundantly clear on numerous occasions, the CWTA has repeatedly failed to honour this promise, leaving us no alternative but to withdraw.”
“It has been evident for quite some time that, rather than being a true industry association which represents the views of all players regardless of size, the CWTA has instead largely been an advocate for Rogers, TELUS and Bell, and often directly contrary to the interests of new entrant wireless carriers” said Bob Boron, General Counsel and Senior Vice-President, Legal & Regulatory Affairs for Public Mobile.
“We have spent the better part of three years repeatedly voicing our opposition to the CWTA on a wide range of matters to the point of issuing a press release in January 2011 that publically expressed our dissent on the CWTA’s position on wireless consumer protection,” said Gary Wong, Director of Legal Affairs for Mobilicity.  “There seems to be a blatant disregard of the new entrants in favour of acting in the best interests of the Big Three carriers and it is unacceptable.”

Launching a new wireless carrier isn’t cheap, and the industry association seems to have been no help, so perhaps Public Mobile shall also find a bidder for itself in the arms of Bell or Rogers.  First Rogers might want to solidify a new CEO as the one one prepares to retire.

Another interesting question,

 

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Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 20 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses. He also serves as an advisor to a number of businesses across the country. Find Dave on LinkedIn and Twitter.


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