OTTAWA – Bell Mobility, SaskTel and Rogers Communications were on the list of applicants intending to participate in the auction for Advanced Wireless Services that was released Friday by Industry Canada.
Earlier in the week, Shaw Communications, Quebecor Media, Eastlink and a consortium that includes Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS Allstream) indicated they would also be participating.
Shaw appears to have applied under the numbered company 1380057 Alberta Ltd, as it announced Friday that it had filed a $400 million financial deposit with Industry Canada in connection with the auction. That is the same amount listed by 1380057 Alberta Ltd.
The amount is the third largest of any on the list. Shaw noted that the deposit “is intended to provide maximum flexibility in the auction process.”
According to the list released by Industry Canada, only Rogers Communications at $534.2 million and Niagara Networks Inc. at $881.4 million have higher deposits.
Quebecor Media has likely applied under the number company 9193-2962 Quebec Inc., as that is the only company with a $317.2 million deposit – the amount that Quebecor said Thursday it had submitted to Industry Canada in conjunction with the auction.
The consortium of MTS Allstream, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and The Blackstone Group L.P. have likely applied under the numbered company 6934242 Canada Ltd. as it is the only one with a $340 million deposit, the amount the consortium indicated Monday that it had.
Eastlink, under Bragg Communications, has a $19.84 million deposit.
For a list of applicants received go to: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/smt-gst.nsf/vwapj/aws-list-app-received-e.pdf/$FILE/aws-list-app-received-e.pdf
Industry Canada will release its list of final qualified bidders on March 31.
