Losers:
–The Harper government. With Wind not fighting for spectrum, Ottawa stands to get less than it hoped from the auction. Also, its strategy for increasing cellular competition is on shakier ground than before. It hoped for a vibrant Wind and Mobilicity to challenge incumbent carriers and provide at least a fourth carrier to challenge Bell, Rogers and Telus in a number of provinces.
“We believe that this announcement shows there is no real strategic or financial interest in financing Canadian wireless new entrants,” wrote financial analyst Dvai Ghose, with the exception of Videotron and Eastlink.
Winners:
–Incumbents Bell, Rogers and Telus. Wind was the feistiest of the new entrants in Ontario, B.C. and Alberta. If it can’t get money to buy spectrum, how can it have money for marketing and expanding its network?
–Regional carriers Eastlink Wireless (Maritimes) Manitoba Telecom (Manitoba), SaskTel (Saskatchewan). One less competitor to face in the auction.
–The dark horse: Feenix Wireless, owned by Mobilicity leader and entrepreneur John Bitove. Feenix is a separately held and controlled company from Mobilicity. With Wind out of the way what’s his bidding strategy?