MONTREAL, May 12, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Quebecor is pleased
to announce that it was the successful bidder on eighteen
20 MHz licences in Industry Canada's 2500 MHz spectrum
auction. Quebecor has obtained one licence in each of the following
regions: Montréal, Québec, Ottawa/Outaouais Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Trois-Rivières,
Bas-du-Fleuve/Gaspésie and Pembroke, and two licences in the following
regions: Chicoutimi-Jonquière, Eastern Townships, Upper Outaouais
and Abitibi.
The operating licences, acquired for
$187 million, cover all of the
province of Québec and the largest urban centres in the other
provinces of Canada: Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. They make it possible to reach more
than 21 million people, or approximately 65% of Canada's population.
"Today's licence acquisitions continue our
strategy of buying spectrum at advantageous prices, mainly to
support Videotron's operations in Québec," said Pierre Dion, President and CEO of Quebecor.
"Videotron is pleased to have acquired this
spectrum in Quebec, which is
positioned very favourably," said Manon
Brouillette, President and CEO of Videotron. "These newly
acquired licences are a strategic asset that will help us continue
our fast growth in the Québec mobile market."
"For the spectrum we have acquired in English
Canada, we are still analyzing various options that hold out
prospects of very attractive returns, given the value of this
strategic asset. We will continue patiently and carefully analyzing
our options, it being understood that the financial and/or
operating conditions will have to fall within acceptable
parameters," added Pierre Dion.
The 2500 MHz band has technical characteristics
similar to the AWS-1 and AWS-3 spectrum that Quebecor acquired in
2008 and March 2015. LTE technology
is able to rely on a global ecosystem operating in the 2500 MHz
spectrum band. This technology allows latest-generation and
next-generation mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to
operate at optimal speed and reliability.
The 2500 MHz operating licences will complement
Quebecor's large spectrum portfolio in Québec and significantly
enhance its existing spectrum portfolio in the other provinces of
Canada. Quebecor now holds
spectrum in the AWS-1, 700 MHz, AWS-3 and 2500 MHz bands.
About Quebecor
Quebecor, a Canadian leader in telecommunications, entertainment,
news media and culture, is one of the best-performing integrated
communications companies in the industry. Driven by their
determination to deliver the best possible customer experience, all
of Quebecor's subsidiaries and brands are differentiated by their
high-quality, multiplatform, convergent products and services.
Quebecor (TSX: QBR.A, QBR.B) is headquartered in
Québec. It holds a 75.36% interest in Quebecor Media, which employs
close to 12,000 people in Canada.
A family business founded in 1950, Quebecor is
strongly committed to the community. Every year, it actively
supports people working with more than 400 organizations in the
vital fields of culture, health, education, the environment and
entrepreneurship.
Visit our website: www.quebecor.com
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/QuebecorMedia
SOURCE Quebecor