Shaw says timing, current market dynamics made Wind deal attractive

The economics of entering Canada’s wireless market through the acquisition of Wind Mobile today are better than past opportunities Shaw Communications Inc. has had to enter the mobile sector, officials said during a conference call Thursday morning.

“By acquiring a company that already has a solid foundation, including spectrum, management expertise and scale, we have significantly lowered our risk of entry, and have done so in a disciplined and prudent manner,” Brad Shaw, CEO of Shaw Communications, said during the call.

Cordova was never meant to be permanent Wind CEO: source

When Pietro Cordova was introduced as Wind Mobile's new chief executive officer in October, it was not presented as an interim role, yet that was always the plan, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

On Monday, Wind announced that Alek Krstajic, the former CEO of Public Mobile, was taking over the CEO position from Cordova. It also said Anthony Lacavera would become honorary chairman, with Rob MacLellan taking over the official chairmanship.

Devicescape helps carriers tap into public WiFi resources

Devicescape Software Inc. is a California-based company that is trying to sell wireless carriers on the potential of using the multitude of free WiFi hotspots in existence to their benefit.

The company's product causes smartphones to automatically link to freely offered WiFi networks, without the user having to perform the manual tasks that are typically required to connect to hotspots.

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.

Public Mobile name not going anywhere: Telus

The Public Mobile brand will remain active for the foreseeable future despite a move to abandon the network its customers are using, a Telus Corp. spokesman said Friday.

“The brand continues and the name continues,” said Telus’ Shawn Hall in a phone interview. “The rate plans, largely, continue as they have been. What really is changing is the network. And customers will, once they make the transition, immediately start enjoying a national network with much faster data speeds.”

Public Mobile customers need new phones

Public Mobile, the wireless startup bought by Telus Corp. late last year, is telling its customers they will need new phones in May in order to be transferred to its new owner's mobile network.

“We’re moving to Canada’s largest 4G Network, the benefits of which include national coverage, faster wireless data speeds, access to the latest technology and better name-brand phones,” Public Mobile says on its website.

Competition Bureau OKs Telus purchase of Public Mobile

The Competition Bureau said it would not block Telus Corp.’s proposed deal to buy Public Mobile Inc.

The bureau said in a release Friday it had determined “the proposed transaction is unlikely to substantially lessen or prevent competition in the sale of mobile wireless telecommunications services in southern Ontario and Greater Montreal,” where Public Mobile operates.

It issued a “no action letter,” which confirms the bureau will not challenge the deal under the Competition Act.

Private equity firms scoop up Public Mobile, aim for more deals

Two private equity firms, including one in New York and another with ties to Canada’s wealthiest family, acquired new entrant wireless carrier Public Mobile Inc. and intend to pursue other “consolidation opportunities” before registering for Industry Canada's upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction, Public Mobile said.

Public Mobile to release ‘unlimited’ music service

Public Mobile is partnering with mobile media firm Livewire Mobile Inc. to offer the new entrant carrier’s subscribers “Canada’s first truly unlimited mobile music experience,” the companies said Tuesday.

In a release, Public Mobile said it would launch Livewire’s Siren Music service, and the “millions of songs” it features on Aug. 16, 2012.

The company said the service will allow users to download “all the songs [they] want” to their mobile memory cards for a single, flat rate.