Back in July we reported on the Canadian wireless spectrum auction, where the biggest investor (aside from the big three: Rogers, Bell, and Telus) was Quebecor Media, spending $554M for spectrum rights in Quebec. Today, Quebecor announced their plans to make use of that spectrum "space", deploying a HSPA/3G network under the Vidéotron brand, a Quebecor Media subsidiary. Currently Vidéotron's wireless service piggybacks on Rogers' network. Quebecor President and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau bills it as a major shift for Quebecor's business:
“This project is of more than technical interest; it is a watershed event in the history of Quebecor Media and Videotron...what we are announcing is not just the building of a new telecommunications network; with this network, we are laying the foundations of a new business model for Quebecor Media and all its subsidiaries."
Vidéotron claims that this $800M investment will create 1,000 jobs, though the price includes the $554M spent just on spectrum rights. Nokia Siemens Networks will supply the hardware for the upgrade. The new network will be launched in 12-18 months, around the same time Globalive plans to launch in other provinces.
3G wireless networks has found its services in the wireless services field. It gives and cheap and reliable communication on wireless networks. Many companies such as Quebecor are deploying and some have deployed this technology.
