Quebecor Media Inc. Wins 17 Operating Licenses in Spectrum Auction for Advanced Wireless Services
July 21 2008 - 5:58PM
Marketwired
MONTREAL, QUEBEC (TSX: QBR.B) is pleased to announce that it is
the successful bidder on 17 operating licenses for third generation
Advanced Wireless Services (AWS). The Company held the high bids on
40 MHz of spectrum across Quï¿1/2bec, except the Eastern Ontario
and Outaouais regions where it won 20 MHz. In some regions of the
province of Quï¿1/2bec, it picked up an additional 10 MHz and in
Toronto, 10 MHz. The spectrum will allow Videotron, Quebecor
Media's subsidiary, to offer, through its own network, wireless
telephony service comparable to what is available in other
world-leading countries in this field, including high-speed
Internet, mobile television and several other advanced functions
that can be accessed through the mobile devices sometimes referred
to as smartphones.
"This is a key milestone in Quebecor Media's efforts to secure
future growth opportunities in an industry that can be expected to
experience exponential expansion in the years ahead," said Pierre
Karl Pï¿1/2ladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor Inc. "Following
the introduction of our wireless telephone service two years ago
and our subsequent efforts to convince regulatory authorities to
set terms and conditions for the spectrum auction that would enable
new players to enter the market, against strong resistance from the
incumbents, we are now ready to implement our investment strategy,
details of which will be announced as soon as Industry Canada has
completed the licensing process. We are very satisfied that
consumers across Canada will have the benefit of genuine
competition and real choice, which means they will be able to enjoy
the best services at the best price, as they do now with Videotron
for cable television, Internet access and cable telephone
service."
At the close of the auction, Quebecor Media's standing high bids
totalled $554,549,000. Since the Licensing Framework for the
Auction for Spectrum Licences for Advanced Wireless Services limits
bidders' ability to freely discuss their intentions regarding the
post-auction market structure during the 30 days following the end
of the auction, Quebecor Media will reveal no additional
information about its intentions respecting Advanced Wireless
Services until later this summer.
"The outcome of the auction is good news for consumers," said
Robert Dï¿1/2patie, President and CEO of Videotron. "The prospect
of increased competition in the near future will exert downward
pressure on prices. We have much to do, particularly in terms of
building out our advanced, state-of-the-art third generation
network, but we already know that we will be able to raise the
level of competition in Canada's wireless marketplace a notch, for
the benefit of our businesses and consumers."
The award of operating licenses is subject to certain
formalities, including payment by the successful bidders and the
filing of ownership and control documentation.
In the meantime, the Company will not comment further on this
matter.
Quebecor and Quebecor Media - Quebecor Inc. (TSX: QBR.A)(TSX:
QBR.B) is a holding company with a 54.7% interest in Quebecor
Media, one of Canada's largest media groups. Quebecor Media owns
operating companies in numerous media-related businesses: Videotron
Ltd., the largest cable operator in Quï¿1/2bec and a major Internet
Service Provider and provider of telephone and business
telecommunications services; Sun Media Corporation, the largest
publisher of newspapers in Canada; Quebecor MediaPages, a publisher
of print and online directories; TVA Group Inc., operator of the
largest French-language over-the-air television network in
Quï¿1/2bec, a number of specialty channels, and the
English-language over-the-air station Sun TV; Canoe Inc., operator
of a network of English- and French-language Internet properties in
Canada; Nurun Inc., a major interactive technologies and
communications agency with offices in Canada, the United States,
Europe and Asia; magazine publisher TVA Publishing Inc.; book
publisher and distributor Quebecor Media Book Group Inc.;
Archambault Group Inc. and TVA Films, companies engaged in the
production, distribution and retailing of cultural products, and Le
SuperClub Vidï¿1/2otron ltï¿1/2e, a DVD and console game rental and
retail chain.
Contacts: Videotron Isabelle Dessureault Vice President
Corporate Affairs 514-380-7501 Cell: 514-295-0304
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