New Wi-Max Player in Montreal
June 15, 2007 by Mark Evans
Filed under Business
Looks like the Wi-Max revolution is poised to hit Montreal, and provide consumer with another competitive option. (hat tip to Rob Hyndman) Radioactif.com and Nomade Telecom have created a joint venture to create a wireless network that will provide speeds of up to 5Mbps for less than $30 a month. Once the initial deployment in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood is completed, the joint venture plans to develop network in Quebec City, Halifax, Toronto, Windsor, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
In theory, the idea of a consumer-focused Wi-Max network sounds great if you’re looking for someone/anyone to break up the high-speed oligopoly now enjoyed by the carriers and cablecos. Of course, you should also keep in mind that Allstream was all gung-ho about building the same kind of network before its parent, Manitoba Telecom Services, sold its stake in the business to Rogers. That network – known as Inukshuk – is now controlled by Rogers and Bell. That said, it would be great if Radioactif and Nomade Telecom can achieve what they set out to do, even if they are just able to provide service in Montreal.
I really hope they succeed! We need more competition in this country on all products and services to drive the price down for consumers. Best of luck guys!!!
inukshuk was a really different game. they followed wimax’s unfinished specs, and i think they were targeting the wrong customers. radioactif and nomad has a different marketing approach. at 30$ per month, they are undercutting all internet plans here in quebec. so i am betting on them.
One “itsy bitsy” problem. They are hoping to achieve speeds of “up to 5Mbps” by 2009!? Hello!? It’s 2007 and 5Mbps has almost reached the point of unacceptably slow. What makes them think that this will be an impressive feat come two years from now?