Quebecor Plans CA$1 Billion Investment in Mobile Network

Canada's Quebecor - which recently secured a mobile license in the country's spectrum auction - says that it plans to spend between CA$800 to CA$1 billion over the next four years launching its mobile network in Quebec.

The company later clarified that the figure includes not just the infrastructure costs, but also the operating losses expected to occur in the first few years following commercial launch and the cost of acquiring the spectrum, payment of CA$555 million.

The company also said that it is open to working with partners to expand its mobile network to a nationwide service. The Quebec based cable firm had originally aimed to bid for a nationwide mobile license, but the soaring price of the radio spectrum pushed the company to focusing on its core markets.

Globalive Communications and Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Wireless have both been named as possible partners, as they have national coverage but lack a presence in Quebec.

Posted to the site on 11th September 2008