Globalive

Globalive Communications Corporation
Industry telecommunications
Founded 1998
Headquarters Toronto, Ontario
Area served
 Canada
Divisions Wind Mobile
Website globalive.ca

Globalive Communications Corporation is a Canadian telecommunications provider based in Toronto. Founded in 1998 by offering services over pre-established telephone networks, it is best known for its Yak, OneConnect, and WIND Mobile brands.

History

In 2008, Globalive successfully made a purchase in Industry Canada's radio spectrum auction, allowing the company to launch a national cell phone network in Canada.

Globalive's plans were cast into doubt by an unfavourable decision by Canada's telecommunications regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), which ruled that the company failed to meet regulatory requirements for Canadian ownership.[1] On December 11, 2009, Tony Clement, the Industry Minister, overturned the CRTC decision, allowing Globalive to enter the Canadian cell phone market.[2]

On August 11, 2009 Globalive announced their new brand identity for the wireless services as Wind Mobile,[3] which was launched on December 16, 2009 in Toronto, a few days after the federal government's announcement of the 'varied' CRTC decision.[4]

Globalive successfully launched its Wireless phone services in December 2009 in Toronto and Calgary. It launched service in Edmonton and Ottawa soon after, followed by Vancouver in June 2010.

On February 4, 2011, the Federal Court reversed the decision by Industry Minister Tony Clement, stating that Globalive is not controlled by Canadians. They were given a 45 day stay in which to file an appeal.[5] On May 18, the Federal Court of Appeal heard arguments from Globalive and the federal government as to why the Federal Court decision should be quashed. The Federal Court of Appeal's decision allowed Globalive's appeal and restored the Governor in Council's order that Wind met Canadian ownership requirements.[6] On September 19, Public Mobile entered an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.[7]

In September 2014, Globalive agreed to acquire Vimpelcom’s majority stake in Wind Mobile for a fee of $272 million.[8] The government’s plan to set aside 60% of new airwaves for smaller competitors in a March 2015 spectrum auction opens the door for a recapitalized Wind to expand its network.

Operations

Global Telecom Holding (previously known as Orascom), an Egypt based company, formerly owned 65 per cent of the equity issued by Globalive Wireless and most of the debt.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Robertson, Grant. Globalive fails ownership test: CRTC. Globe and Mail. October 29, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2009.
  2. ↑ Government of Canada. Government of Canada Varies CRTC Decision on Globalive. Government of Canada. December 11, 2009.
  3. ↑ Anthony (Tony) Lacavera. Hello and welcome to Wind!. WIND Mobile
  4. ↑ "Wind Mobile | Wind Mobile Launches In Time For The Holidays". Windmobile.ca. 2009-12-16. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  5. ↑ Canada (February 4, 2011). "Telecom ruling puts a leash on Tory cabinet authority". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2014-07-11.
  6. ↑ Globalive Wireless Management Corp v Public Mobile Inc, 2011 FCA 194
  7. ↑ "SCC Case Information Docket 34418". Supreme Court of Canada. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Vimpelcom to sell Wind Mobile stake to Canadian minority owner" (Press release). Reuters. 15 September 2014.
  9. ↑ Jamie Sturgeon (December 11, 2009). "Observers warm to Globalive's chances". Financial Post. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  10. ↑ Berman, David. Rogers: Same 'sell,' new price. Report on Business. April 7, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2009.

External links