Mobile Syrup is saying that Public Mobile plans a “soft launch” next Monday. Will CRTC approvals get in the way?
Last November, the CRTC opened a file to begin the examination of the ownership and control of Public Mobile.
As we have come to know, the CRTC needs to affirm that carriers operating in Canada are in conformance with Telecom Act requirements. Under Canada’s current regime, Industry Canada’s approvals for the purpose of awarding radio licenses is not considered to be sufficient.
In Telecom Regulatory Policy 2009-428, the Commission established a four-type review framework to apply to ownership and control reviews.
In December, the CRTC informed Public Mobile that it had determined that its application was Type 2:
the ownership structure of Public Mobile is of a complex nature and could hold precedential value for the industry and the general public. The Commission does not consider, however, that the evidentiary record would be improved by third-party submissions.
In other words, the ownership approval is not an open-and-shut case, but we don’t need outside assistance on this one. The file has been quiet since then. The Commission has said that it will issue a formal decision and open its files for public examination upon conclusion of its review of Public Mobile’s ownership.
Public Mobile has started its teaser ads and it has been preparing some retail stores. Is the wait for CRTC approval on the critical path and will this possibly delay a service launch?