Mobilicity, Wind in stare-down as AWS-3 deadline looms

Mobilicity's intent to access up to $65 million in debt to participate in the upcoming AWS-3 auction has important implications for Wind Mobile, which would otherwise face no competition for the majority of spectrum on offer in southern Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

Court documents filed by Mobilicity late Monday indicate it has reached an agreement with existing creditors to raise the money it needs to participate in the AWS-3 spectrum auction, which starts March 3 and has a deadline of this Friday for applicants to register.

Mobilicity will not participate in 2500 MHz auction

The latest report from the monitor appointed to oversee Mobilicity’s bankruptcy protection says the carrier will not participate in the upcoming 2500 MHz auction, although it is trying to raise funding to participate in the AWS-3 auction for which applications are due at the end of this week.

Wind promotion seen as shot against Mobilicity

Wind Mobile's offer of free wireless service to customers of Mobilicity, with unlimited data, text and calls for six months, could be an offensive move to help clear away competition for set-aside spectrum in the upcoming AWS-3 auction, analysts say.

Government could ease up on spectrum transfers: Ghose

A Federal Court judge has affirmed the government's authority to block transfers of wireless spectrum whenever it sees fit, though at least one telecom analyst says the government's reluctance to let incumbents accumulate airwaves from rival companies could change over time.

Last week, Judge Roger Hughes threw out Telus Corp.'s challenge to the authority of the industry minister to rule on transfers of spectrum between companies as a result of acquisitions even after pre-set moratoriums on selling spectrum have expired.

Catalyst calls for urgency in Mobilicity restructuring

Recent documents submitted in Mobilicity’s court-monitored bankruptcy process indicate private-equity company Catalyst Capital Group Inc. is anxious to see a new arrangement for the wireless carrier soon.

Mobilicity granted protection until Jan. 30

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has approved Mobilicity’s request for an extension of bankruptcy protection until Jan. 30.

A court filing, obtained from the wireless carrier’s public relations provider Longview Communications, shows that approval was given on Thursday.

Court documents hint Mobilicity arrangement drawing near

Court documents filed in the bankruptcy protection case of wireless carrier Mobilicity suggest talks with other parties regarding a sale, merger or partnership are progressing and could materialize soon.

Catalyst would fund spectrum purchase for Mobility: report

Catalyst Capital Group Inc. would help fund Mobilicity's purchase of new spectrum in the government's AWS-3 auction next year, its leader said in an interview with the Globe and Mail.

An article that appeared online Monday reported Newton Glassman, head of Catalyst, as saying that purchasing spectrum is the only way to retain value in Mobilicity, which has been in bankruptcy protection for more than a year.

Court dismisses Amdocs case against Mobilicity

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has ruled against a supplier that was seeking millions of dollars in payment from Mobilicity, which has been in bankruptcy protection for more than a year.

Amdocs seeking $2.9M from Mobilicity

Recent court filings show Amdocs Inc. is seeking almost $2.9 million in payments from Mobilicity.

Mobilicity creditor protection extended

Mobilicity has been granted an extension of its creditor protection until Dec. 1, William Aziz, Mobilicity's chief restructuring officer, said in a statement Thursday.

He said the order was granted by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Wednesday.

Mobilicity shuts down cell sites, asks for bankruptcy extension

Mobilicity is asking for another extension to its creditor protection, telling the judge overseeing its bankruptcy that the carrier has removed cell towers and shut down its Vancouver sales office in a continuing effort to cut costs.

Mobilicity less attractive than Wind for Quebecor: analyst

New-entrant wireless carrier Mobilicity is in a holding pattern after the collapse of a buyout deal with Telus Corp. that could harm its chances of being rescued from bankruptcy protection, according to Macquarie Capital Markets analyst Greg MacDonald.

MacDonald said in a phone interview Wednesday that Videotron owner Quebecor Inc. now appears to be the only serious bidder for the company and that Mobilicity’s continuing losses and a slide in subscriber numbers leave it in a poor negotiating position. 

Regulatory uncertainty could hurt innovation: experts

TORONTO — Ongoing interventions by Industry Canada, the Competition Bureau and the CRTC into Canada’s wireless industry are likely to harm future investments by telecom companies, Brookings Institute economist Robert Crandall told an audience at the Canadian Telecom Summit on Monday.

Crandall was one of four presenters at a panel on competition in telecom, in which few kind words were spoken about the government’s attempts to encourage wireless competition.

Spotlight on Quebecor after Telus reportedly ends Mobilicity bid

Analysts speculated Wednesday about the possibility of Quebecor Inc. stepping up to purchase Mobilicity following a report that Telus Corp. has withdrawn its offer.

Wind aiming to poach Mobilicity, Public Mobile customers

Analysts say a new advertising campaign by Wind Mobile that aims to pick up customers from Mobilicity and Public Mobile may be successful as the new-entrant carrier tries to capitalize on the woes of its peers.

Mobilicity debt holders could sue government: Ghose

A financial market analyst covering the telecommunications sector says the federal government could cause harm to those with a stake in Mobilicity, and possibly even face a lawsuit, if it continues to thwart attempts by Telus Corp. to purchase the startup wireless carrier.

Telus-Mobilicity deal to test government powers: expert

The $350-million bid by Telus Corp. for Mobilicity could set up a test of Industry Canada’s regulatory power over the sale of wireless spectrum and competition within the wireless industry, according to one expert.

Mobilicity granted bankruptcy extension

Mobilicity, the wireless startup in bankruptcy protection, has been granted a fourth extension in its creditor protection while the company works on a potential sale, according to a court document filed on Friday.

Development on Mobilicity sale expected in ‘near term’

Mobilicity, the startup wireless carrier in bankruptcy protection, will have information to share on its efforts to find a buyer in the “near term,” according to a court document filed this week.

William Aziz resigns from Canada Bread board

William Aziz has resigned as a director of the board at Canada Bread Co. Ltd., the company said in a press release Monday.

Amdocs disputes Mobilicity’s characterization of agreement

Amdocs Inc. said in an affidavit filed this week in Mobilicity’s bankruptcy-protection proceedings that the wireless provider has made “incorrect” interpretations about the agreement between the two companies as a court battle continues over payments Amdocs is seeking.

Extension of creditor protection approved for Mobilicity

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Tuesday said it has approved Mobilicity’s request for an extension of its creditor protection until March 31.

Mobilicity seeks creditor protection until March 31

Mobilicity is seeking to extend its creditor protection until March 31, according to a report on the website of its court-appointed monitor, Ernst & Young.

The report from Ernst & Young, dated Feb. 20, recommends that the court approve this extension of the stay period, currently set to expire Feb. 26.  The document said the request is being made “in order to provide the Applicants with time to complete the Sale Process and bring forward a transaction or transactions for this Court’s approval.”

Mobilicity counters claim from Amdocs

Mobilicity has filed an affidavit in court challenging claims for payment from one of its suppliers.

Telus, Quebecor leading bidders for Mobilicity: report

Telus Corp. and Quebecor Inc. are the leading bidders for Mobilicity, the new-entrant wireless carrier that’s been in bankruptcy protection since September, according to an article in the Globe and Mail.

Mobilicity in better cash position than expected

Mobilicity, the new-entrant carrier under bankruptcy protection, expects to end the year with more than 175,000 active subscribers and is spending cash at a slower pace than previously expected, court documents show.

In a Dec. 12 affidavit filed with the Ontario Superior Court as part of the company’s bankruptcy proceeding, William Aziz, Mobilicity’s chief restructuring officer, said the company has lost customers at a rate of 5.1 per cent each month since it applied for creditor protection on Sept. 29, when it said it had 194,000 active subscribers.

Wind Mobile wants Mobilicity’s spectrum for LTE network: Lacavera

Globalive Wireless Management Corp., operator of Wind Mobile, is looking at buying Mobilicity because it needs more spectrum in order to roll out an LTE network, Wind CEO Anthony Lacavera said.

“Spectrum is the real estate of our business, as you know,” Lacavera said in a phone interview. “We have kind of used the real estate we’ve got, and we’ve deployed 3G services on that. We now need a new chunk of real estate to roll out 4G, or LTE services.”

Court grants Mobilicity sales process

Mobilicity still working on Telus deal as government indicates a denial

Mobilicity’s management will continue to ask the federal government to approve a proposed deal to sell the company to Telus Corp. after the Tory government indicated last week that it would block the deal, sources familiar with the matter said.

Catalyst motion adjourned at Mobilicity bankruptcy hearing

Catalyst Capital Group Inc. has shelved its effort to force Mobilicity to consider alternative debtor-in-possession financing proposals as the struggling new entrant carrier proceeds with its bankruptcy protection proceedings.

Lyons leaving Mobilicity for another telecom job

Stewart Lyons is leaving new entrant wireless carrier Mobilicity to take another job in the Canadian “telecom space.”

“It’s time for me to move on to other opportunities,” Lyons, who has served as Mobilicity’s president since 2011, said in a brief telephone interview Thursday. “I have another opportunity that I’m moving on to that I’m not announcing just yet.”

Struggle for control sharpens between Mobilicity and Catalyst

Mobilicity’s management says Catalyst Capital Group Inc. is trying to leverage a $60-million lending agreement to take control of the floundering new entrant carrier. Catalyst says it’s simply trying to recoup what it's owed.

Neither side appears set to back down.

Del Mastro does not speak for Tories: Moore