TORONTO — Declaring itself as a full mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Toronto’s dotmobile announced today it has landed its first wholesale network agreement with Iristel.
With both companies focused on providing more competition in Canada’s wireless market (Iristel owns and operates the far north’s Ice Wireless), perhaps it was inevitable the two would team up in an attempt to further that.
Owned by Data On Tap Inc., dotmobile is an independent wireless service provider hoping for access to multiple Canadian incumbent networks to complement its own cloud-based core network (designed and built by Norway’s Working Group Two). Along with Iristel, dotmobile is a member of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada, joining in August, as we reported recently.
In September 2019, dotmobile announced it had registered to become a full MVNO. To operate as a full MVNO, according to the CRTC’s requirements, dotmobile needed to have a core network solution, a wholesale agreement with a mobile network operator, and a customer billing and provisioning system. (Those requirements needed to be met within 365 days of registration, so dotmobile’s wholesale agreement with Iristel came just under the deadline.)
“We see the importance of investing in network infrastructure, as well as optimizing the use of what exists today,” says Algis Akstinas, CEO of dotmobile, in the company’s news release. “Our goal is to bring our innovative, all-digital wireless service to all Canadians, no matter who they are or where they live. Iristel’s radio access network covers some of the least densely populated areas in not only Canada, but the world. Network agreements like this are critical to achieving our goal.”
Markham, Ont.-based Iristel operates a national facilities-based VoIP network and a wireless network in Canada’s far North. In partnership with its affiliates, Iristel has also built networks in Africa and Eastern Europe.
“We know how to build robust networks using innovative technologies that offer customers advanced communications services at fair prices,” says Samer Bishay, president and CEO of Iristel. “Interestingly, with every network we’ve built around the world, we’ve found benefits by allowing competitors on our networks, something Canada’s big telecoms do not understand.”
Akstinas adds: “Having our own core network is paramount to offering differentiated service, having both cost and speed-to-market advantage. It unleashes real wireless service innovation…dotmobile is following a low-cost high-tech business model. Modern cloud infrastructure, simple connectivity options and reduced operational complexity will bring significant savings and improved wireless experience to our members at an optimal cost.”
