Rogers expressed its interest in Globalive’s wireless spectrum last week. Now, DAVE Wireless has expressed a similar interest.
“We are absolutely interested in parts of Globalive’s spectrum,” Mr. Bitove, the chairman of DAVE Wireless, said in an interview Sunday. If Industry Canada needs assistance on the spectrum issue, we would be pleased to be part of a solution, and that solution will benefit taxpayers.”
But wireless competitors are not the only ones interested in Globalive and its WIND Mobile wireless brand. The company has apparently been approached by others willing to help finance its planned network and address its ownership issues. At least one proposed option came with better terms that those offered by Orascom (Globalive’s Egyptian partner).
Globalive has apparently listened to the proposals but is still hoping for a political solution over one that would force it make changes to its ownership structure. In its latest blog entry, it has also indicated that it will not sell out:
“We’ve always been about being here for the long term, not – like some of the other potential new entrants – about a quick sale to one of the incumbents. We’ve been listening to Canadians for over a year as we’ve built out a network, and stores and services and platforms. Our goal is to be here to stay. Rogers and others should invest their money in adding value back to their own customers, before they look at "buying spectrum."
What happens next will likely depend on the Canadian Industry Minister’s review into this matter…