OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government will comment soon on the telecommunications regulator's decision to deny an operating license to start-up wireless carrier Globalive, an official said on Monday,
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission had said in a ruling last month that Globalive was effectively under the control of its Egyptian-based financial backer, Orascom Telecom
Globalive bought wireless spectrum for C$442 million ($421 million) in a government auction last year designed to bring more competition into a market dominated by the country's established wireless providers, BCE
"We take this situation very, very seriously. We're currently studying the CRTC's decision, and the government will be in a position to comment further shortly," Mike Lake, parliamentary secretary to the Industry Minister Tony Clement, told the House of Commons.
Clement had asked major industry players for their opinions on the issue by November 18, but had said he would take his time to review the facts and come to a reasoned decision.
Lake's remarks were the first indication that a response would be expected soon.
If Clement did decide against overturning the CRTC decision, it seemed likely ready buyers would snap up Globalive's spectrum.
Rogers said on Friday it would be interested in buying the spectrum. The Globe and Mail newspaper reported on Monday that Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Wireless Inc., a start-up carrier created after last year's auction, would be interested in parts of the Globalive spectrum.
(Reporting by Randall Palmer; editing by Peter Galloway)
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