Mobilicity today announced that it has received protection from creditors under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) as it tries to complete “a going-concern transaction.” The deal is already undergoing review by Industry Canada.
This transaction is likely a sale of its network, assets and spectrum licenses. Who the buyer remains unclear but one possible candidate would be Catalyst Capital, which already owns a significant portion of Mobilicity’s outstanding bonds. Back in the spring, it had expressed interest in merging Mobilicity with WIND Mobile.
The Globe and Mail is suggesting that Mobilicity may have restarted discussions with TELUS despite the fact that Industry Canada killed their last attempt at having TELUS buy the smaller carrier. Sources suggest that TELUS would be given a “put” right that would allow it to exercise a spectrum transfer at a future date. Whether TELUS would still willing to pay CA$380 million for Mobility remains to be seen as well.
The courts also approved further financing, giving the carrier another CA$30 million in cash so that it can continue to operate until spring 2014.
Mobilicity pursues additional restructuring alternatives in the context of CCAA protection
Business as usual for wireless customers
TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2013 /CNW/ – Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Holdings Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, Mobilicity) announced today that it applied for and received protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) (“CCAA”), an order (the “Initial Order”) from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (the “Court”). CCAA protection will allow Mobilicity the necessary time and financing to advance and complete a going-concern transaction, which is before Industry Canada for its review and approval. Mobilicity believes that the proposed transaction is in the best interests of its stakeholders and hopes to advance the transaction in the near term.
It is business as usual for Mobilicity’s wireless customers. There are no changes to Mobilicity’s network and Mobilicity continues to honour prepayment plans for its customers. Phone service continues to work as it always has and Mobilicity’s dealer network is open for business.
Pursuant to the Initial Order, Ernst & Young Inc. has been appointed as Monitor by the Court to assist the Company and its stakeholders. The Court also approved Mobilicity’s debtor-in-possession (“DIP”) financing from some of its existing noteholders, in a maximum amount of $30 million. Mobilicity continues to operate its business in the normal course and will provide updates on its progress as matters advance.
For more information, please visit www.mobilicity.ca/investorrelations or www.ey.com/ca/mobilicity. Creditors can contact the Monitor by email at mobilicity.monitor@ca.ey.com or by phone at 1-855-287-4005.
About Mobilicity (DAVE Wireless):
Mobilicity, Canada’s smart mobile carrier, was created to bring down the cost of wireless with unlimited talk, text and data plans, affordable North American coverage, plus popular handsets and smartphones -without locking customers into contracts or charging extra or hidden fees. Everything Mobilicity does adds up to a better wireless experience, not an expensive one. NOW THAT’S SMART.
Formerly known as Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Wireless Inc. (DAVE Wireless), further information about Mobilicity can be found at www.mobilicity.ca.
Source : The Globe and Mail