James Moore blocks sale of wireless spectrum to Inukshuk Wireless - Action News
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James Moore blocks sale of wireless spectrum to Inukshuk Wireless

Industry Minister James Moore has turned down a request from Inukshuk Wireless, a provider of wireless internet to rural and remote regions, to buy 83 wireless spectrum licences from NextWave.

Industry Minister says he acted to boost competition in service to remote and northern areas

Industry Minister James Moore says the sale of 83 spectrum licences to Inukshuk Wireless would concentrate too much wireless in the hands of the big three telecom companies. (Canadian Press)

Industry Minister James Moore has turned down a request from Inukshuk Wireless, a provider of wirelessinternet to rural and remote regions, to buy 83 wireless spectrum licences from NextWave.

NextWave, a subsidiary of AT&T Inc., applied last October to transfer its spectrum wireless licences in the 2300 MHz band to Inukshuk Wireless, a joint venture between Rogers Communications and Bell Canada.

Moore said he turned down the sale because it would lead to unacceptable levels ofconcentration of spectrum in the hands of incumbent carriers thatnegatively affects competition in our wireless sector.

Bell and Rogers already dominate the wireless market, with rival Telus. If this request was approved, 95per cent of the wireless communications services spectrum would effectively be held by the big three, Industry Canada said.

Inukshuk Wireless provides wireless internet services to areas of Newfoundland and Labrador, rural areas in the Maritimes and Quebec, parts of Alberta, Ontario and B.C., as well as Yukon.

Inukshuk has been accused of hoarding wireless spectrum in the 2300MHz and 3500MHz spectrum and failing to set up service in remote areas.

Bell and Rogers have denied they are hoarding spectrum.

Moore said the government is committed to improving high-speed internet service in rural and northern areas and increasing competition in all markets

Last year, Canadas federal government twice rejected moves by Telus to buy spectrum licenses from struggling wireless startup Mobilicity.

He has also warned all Canadian telecom players that they must invest in infrastructure and use the spectrum they bought, rather than hoping for a profit from reselling it.