Wirelss Industry secrets revealed!

Hello my devoted Blog readers. I am in currently in the beautiful, precious Mount Tremblant In Quebec, Canada for a convention. Please visit the link, this place is incredible but it is no Whistler in BC, obviously a non-biased opinion :) and instead of golfing on one of the most difficult courses in Canada I find myself blogging.

One of the keynote speakers was Dean Prevhost - Chief Strategy Officer of Allstream (I think because he has held over 10 executive positions at Allstream). He was speaking about the non-competitive cellular industry in Canada and our technologies. As you all may or may not know, the 2 largest carriers are Bell and Telus with Rogers (and Fido) following. Bell and Telus run on older technology - CDMA, very stable and a clear connection but it has limitations in regards to an Open Source Application architecture found in the Rogers GSM network. It isn't really a question of the world phone anymore but more of what the consumer can do using GSM Technology. Features and applications such as Multimedia, true mobility without roaming, as it is in Canada right now, the Bell Tower I am connecting to does not make a difference, I will be getting charged for roaming and long distance. I am willing to take the long distance charges (reluctantly) but roaming?!!?! I am connected to the same provider! Getting back on track, Dual-mode phone utilizing VoIP via a WiFi connection and a GSM phone are already in Asia and Europe. What will Telus and Bell do then. I did hear that they are going to offer some models that are dual mode with GSM so that they can offer their customers this product but that means that they will have to go to the competition. You think Bell and Telus want that to happen?? yeah right, Telus will not even put in a SIP Backbone right now to offer Residential IP Services because they are making too much money off analog services.

The speaker from Allstream has stated that $14 billion dollars of wireless spectrum, just spectrum, not wireless services, towers all hardware but just spectrum is up for sale in 2008. Basically, a $14 billion ticket to play in this wireless "lottery" is up for grabs. If we are so far ahead, like people have been saying then why would all this spectrum be for sale? Something is happening, Telus and Bell better think of something quick! LOL

Canada was once only six months behind the US, we are now an estimated 2 and a half years behind the US and 6 YEARS behind Europe. These incumbents are slowing this whole country down.

Prediction: Once this spectrum is sold to the highest bidder - they are going to build a GSM network and blow CDMA technology right out of Canada.