A new chapter in Globalive’s WIND Mobile ownership saga has just been opened. Public Mobile asked the Federal Court to overturn the recent Canadian federal cabinet decision to allow Globalive Wireless Management Corp. to launch its WIND Mobile brand despite foreign financial backing. Public Mobile is not seeking to shut down WIND Mobile but wants to clarify the foreign-ownership rules. In a press release, the company explained:
Public Mobile believes the Government has in essence thrown out the foreign ownership laws of Canada and must therefore review foreign ownership restrictions and provide all wireless providers equal access to foreign capital.
At issue is the fact that much of Globalive Wireless is owned by the Egytian-based Orascom Telecom Holding SAE telecom company. WIND Mobile’s November launch was postponed after the CRTC ruled that the company did not meet Canadian ownership rules. In December, Industry Canada Minister Tony Clement reversed the decision setting the stage for WIND Mobile’s launch just before Christmas.
Public Mobile is planning to launch sometime in the first half of 2010. Like Globalive, it is also facing a CRTC review.