NorthernTel Mobility objects to Superior Wireless’ application for analog spectrum

NorthernTel Mobility has objected to Superior Wireless Inc.’s application for sole access to the sub-B band along Highway 11 in Northwestern Ontario, Report on Wireless has learned. The independent regional wireless operator, operating as part of the Bell Nordiq Income Fund, launched a last minute objection late on November 29, following Industry Canada’s call for applications to develop the analog spectrum last month (RoW, Nov. 18/03). Jacques Filiatrault, manager of spectrum services for Industry Canada’s Northern Ontario district, confirmed that NorthernTel has filed an objection to Superior Wireless’ letter of intent, but couldn’t provide any further information. "We are evaluating and gathering more information and data on Northern Telephone’s letter," he tells RoW. "That’s all I can really say at this point." He told RoW in an interview on November 29 that NorthernTel had made some inquiries about the band surrounding the Municipality of Greenstone, but as of 4 p.m. on November 29 definite action had yet to be taken. It is unclear at this point whether the company is objecting to Superior Wireless’ bid for sole access to the 835-845 MHz band and 846.5-849 MHz/880-890 MHz paired bands or whether NorthernTel wants only a portion of the spectrum Superior Wireless requested. Prior to receiving NorthernTel’s objection, Filiatrault didn’t think there would be too much interest in developing the analog spectrum in that region. "There has been partial funding in that area, so we don’t expect a lot of interest in an area where there is no power, but you never know," Filiatrault told RoW in an interview one hour prior to last week’s deadline. The department traditionally gives applications submitted by mail another week to arrive and that is when he would be in a better position to comment further, he added. Superior Wireless may have the inside track to deploying an analog cellular network in the largely rural area. The independent regional wireless operator has already formed a partnership with the Municipality of Greenstone, a newly amalgamated contingent of smaller municipalities in the region. The municipality wanted to bring mobile wireless services to the region, and applied and received funding for the project. It has since formed a partnership with Superior Wireless following a request for proposals process under which the wireless carrier was the only applicant. The municipality isn’t only trying to bring mobile wireless services to the surrounding area; it is forming partnerships and getting funding to expand the region’s broadband infrastructure. It is scheduled to receive $60,000 in funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for its Greenstone Total Broadband Solution Project. Broadband wireless technology is expected to play a large part in connecting local businesses and consumers to the Internet given the sparse population (5,662) over an area of 3,000 square kilometres. Earlier this year, the Ontario government injected $436,800 in partnership with the municipality and Bell Canada to deploy high-speed Internet access to consumers and businesses.

NorthernTel Mobility objects to Superior Wireless’ application for analog spectrum

News | December 3, 2003

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NorthernTel Mobility objects to Superior Wireless’ application for analog spectrum

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