Globalive Wireless Management Corp. started service in Toronto under the Wind Mobile brand and plans to launch in Calgary Friday.
The least expensive voice plan costs $15 a month, includes 100 minutes of calls in the coverage area, which the carrier calls the “home zone.” It also includes 50 outgoing text messages. Users making or receiving calls when outside the home zone pay 25 cents a minute.
Each additional text message sent costs 10 cents, though incoming text messages are free.
Globalive launched shortly after the federal Cabinet overruled an earlier ruling by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on Globalive’s foreign ownership. Industry Minister Tony Clement is satisfied Globalive meets the Canadian ownership rules.
The CRTC nixed Globalive’s plans in October when it ruled that Globalive was effectively controlled by Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, which only holds 20 per cent of voting shares but owns non-voting shares and holds most of Globalive’s debt.
The CRTC ruling resulted from hearings over Globalive’s ownership structure and business relationship with Orascom, which was instigated by Telus Corp.