The agreement still needs to be approved by all regulatory bodies — the Competition Bureau and Industry Canada — and Mobilicity’s debtholders. Industry Minister Christian Paradis acknowledged the potential transaction, but stated “The government will take the time required to review the proposal carefully.”

Jeff Fan, analyst from Scotiabank, communicated a note to his clients that several situations might occur, such as the government delaying the upcoming 700 MHz spectrum auction. However, his clear message was that, “in our opinion, the situation is getting messier for the government. The bottom line is this makes it less likely that a strategic investor will step up to consolidate the new entrants and participate in the auction to create a stronger fourth operator.”

In 2008 when the spectrum auction closed – which saw WIND Mobile, Public Mobile and Mobilicity all enter the wireless space – the Industry Minister declared, “Our government’s intentions are clear: to achieve lower prices, better service and more choice for consumers and business. We believe in relying on market forces to the maximum extent feasible because competition benefits consumers, and consumers benefit most when markets are as competitive as they can be.”

Fan also said that “The government may not approve the transaction but, in our view, it does not matter. We believe the best deal for Mobilicity (and Wind) stakeholders is a sale to one of the incumbents. If the government turns down the TELUS/Mobilicity transaction, Mobilicity will likely either fail or receive a lower offer from a strategic investor.”

TELUS posted a note on their corporate blog that said “we don’t believe this transaction will have a significant impact on competition in our industry… If approved, our agreement to acquire Mobilicity would be good news for their 250,000 customers. Importantly, their wireless service would continue without the risk of disruption. Moblicity’s customers would also join Canada’s most satisfied and loyal customers at TELUS and Koodo.”

We’ll have to wait and see how this all shakes out. An email to us from TELUS PR stated “TELUS will continue with the Mobility brand, customer rate plans and network.” So this gives hope that current Mobilicity subscribers will have their low-cost monthly plans grandfathered if/when the deal is finalized.

Via: TELUS

In a press release today TELUS announced that they’ve entered into an agreement to acquire Mobilicity for $380 million. Of course, the deal is pending the “required approvals” from authorities (Competition Bureau, Industry Canada, and Mobilicity’s debtholders). “The purchase price received would be applied to repay all of the outstanding first and second lien debt of Mobilicity, with the remainder being used to repay certain outstanding unsecured debt securities issued by Mobilicity.”

With this news it was revealed that the new entrant, which is a private company, had amassed 250,000 subscribers. As for Mobilicity employees, “If this transaction is approved, TELUS will retain all 150 Mobilicity employees as it integrates the Mobilicity operation into TELUS over the coming months.”

TELUS and Mobilicity both stated that they “anticipate an expeditious legal and regulatory review in view of the current circumstances Mobilicity is facing.” Basically they are quickly bleeding money. In the court filings the TELUS/Mobilicity acquisition looks to be heading for a closing date by June 10, 2013. If the agreement has not been completed by this date, TELUS must pay Mobilicity a deposit of $10,000,000. This reason for this date is so that Mobilicity can still participate in the upcoming 700Mhz spectrum auction. June 11th is the last date the carriers can drop down their deposits to secure their bidding spot.

Mobilicity launched their wireless service in 2010 and currently operates in Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary.

Update: If keeping track of subscriber numbers is your thing. TELUS reported Q1 2013 results of 7.7 million subs, Bell reported 7,672,075 (include Bell Aliant into the numbers and you reach 7,815,475). If/when the TELUS/Mobilicity deal closes this will add 250,000 subscribers to TELUS’ base, securely placing them as the 2nd largest Canadian carrier, just behind Rogers at 9,376,000 wireless subscribers.

Source: CNW
Via: Mobilicty (PDF)

Earlier reports of LTE coming to Fredericton, New Brunswick were correct. TELUS announced today that those visiting or residing in the area will be able to connect to their LTE network, thus giving them faster upload and download speed (expected average of 12 to 25 Mbps). TELUS’ LTE coverage reaches about 24 million Canadian, or about 70% of the population. Looking at the map also sees future expansion that will triple the LTE coverage in the region.

Source: CNW

A refresher of specs has the Galaxy S4 packing Android OS Jelly Bean, 5-inch display (1920 x 1080), 1.9GHz Snapdragon quad-core processor, LTE-enabled, 13MP camera that shoots 1080p HD video, 2MP front-facing camera and a 2600 mAh battery.

TELUS reps can help you through the new features with their in-store Learning Centres, or via their video streams on Google+ or YouTube. In addition, you can check out our in-depth review of the GS4 right here.

This contest is easy to enter. All you have to do is either follow us and re-tweet this contest on Twitter (@mobilesyrup), “Like Us” on Facebook (Facebook.com/MobileSyrup), or join us on Google+. All current Facebook, Twitter and Google+ followers are automatically entered. This contest closes on May 26th and we’ll announce a winner shortly after!

Yes, the winner will also receive that stuffed tiger.
Good luck to all who enter!

If you’re into stats, Bell noted in their release this morning that “Bell Wireless customers totaled 7,672,075 at the end of the quarter.” With TELUS’ increase in subscriber base to 7.7 million they’ve essentially become the 2nd largest carrier in Canada. However, if you total the Bell Aliant wireless business, which they’re a managing shareholder, into the mix the numbers rises to 7,815,475 wireless subscribers.

Source: CNW

“The device is also available at Koodo on May 9th in black for $150 or $0 on the tab. On May 17th, it will be available at TELUS in black for $149 with a TELUS pre-paid plan.”

If you’re into the Windows Phone OS then the pricing is incredibly reasonable for the specs: 4-inch display, 5MP camera, 8GB internal memory, 1GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 1430mAh battery.

In addition, the Lumia 520 will only be available in black, but there will be exchangeable back covers in yellow, red and white “available at local retail stores.”

Update: Koodo Mobile now has the Lumia 520 in stock. As stated above, this WP8 device is priced at $150 outright. Grab it here.

Source: CNW

TELUS has expanded their LTE coverage once again, now reaching those located in Collingwood and Wasaga Beach. If you’re in the area the max LTE download speeds will net you up to 75 Mbps, but the real average you’ll see is between 12 to 25 Mbps. According to their press release, TELUS LTE network reaches 70% of the Canadian population, or about 24 million people.

Source: TELUS

Interesting marketing strategy here. TELUS has put together a promo that encourages people to trade-in their old BlackBerry device for a new smartphone in the fresh colour of white. According to the fine print, TELUS encourages users to switch to either Android or iOS, stating “While quantities last. Available on the white Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Note II, Samsung Galaxy Ace II X, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. All BlackBerry models except BlackBerry Q10 and BlackBerry Z10 are eligible.”

Since Rogers has the exclusive (for now) on the white Q10 it’s not possible for that device to be included, however, it would be nice to see TELUS bring the white Z10 into this offer and keep BlackBerry users using BlackBerry.

Source: TELUS

Hit up your device (via Samsung Kies) and let us know if you’ve received it.

Source: TELUS (2)
(Thanks Cam!)

The LG Optimus Black, both on TELUS and Koodo, has finally received the update to Android OS 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. This is now available and users of this one-time flagship should have received a notification on their device.

More here via TELUS

(Thanks Elvis!)