Public Mobile announced Thursday the opening of 15 stores in Toronto and 10 in Montreal to prepare for a planned service launch in mid-May.

The new Canadian wireless entrant is still awaiting CRTC approval before it can officially launch its service.

On Dec. 18, 2009, the CRTC sent a letter to Bob Boron, Public Mobile’s vice president of legal and regulatory affairs, saying the company would face a review of the company’s ownership structure before it could operate in Canada. 

Public Mobile is facing a “Type 2” ownership review that new rival Data & Audio-Visual Enterprises Wireless Inc. (DAVE Wireless) also must face.

Public Mobile has announced that it will offer free unlimited Canadian long distance for life to early customers. The company also says it will offer a $40 unlimited talk and text plan.

In 2008, Public Mobile spent about $50 million on wireless spectrum during a spectrum auction.

The company acquired spectrum in the G-block, which is not used by all other carriers, and could limit customers’ ability to roam outside of Public Mobile’s urban coverage areas. 

Contact Ryan O'Neill at 613-232-5952 ext. 222 or roneill@thewirereport.ca
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