Cogeco Communications has acquired ten spectrum licences in the 2500MHz paired band from Kian Telecom, for CAD8 million (USD6 million). The licences cover a population of over 1.5 million in non-metropolitan areas of Ontario. The transfer was approved by Innovation, Science & Economic Development (ISED) Canada on 21 June. Luc Noiseux, CTO at Cogeco, said: 'This acquisition marks another step in a disciplined approach to providing wireless services to our customers. These holdings offer a nice addition to those recently won in our footprint from ISED's residual [spectrum] auction. We are also pleased to have Amir Bigloo, President of Kian Telecom, joining us as advisor to the office of the CTO.' Mr Bigloo added: 'I look forward to assisting Cogeco Communications in bringing more competition to Canada's mobile wireless market.'
Last month in ISED's auction for 'residual spectrum, Cogeco paid CAD24.3 million for 23 licences comprising 2300MHz and 2500MHz spectrum, covering 5.415 million people, primarily in its Ontario and Quebec cable network footprint.
Thank you to TeleGeography for the article.