Industry Minister Tony Clement is canvassing telecom industry players on the Globalive matter, as he weighs whether Ottawa should overturn a ruling that blocked the new cellphone firm from launching.
Globalive Wireless Management Corp. was halted a few weeks ago by the federal telecom regulator, which determined the company is in violation of ownership rules. The CRTC said Globalive could not launch because an Egyptian company, Orascom Telecom Holding SAE, has put up most of the money for it.
But in a letter to industry players, Mr. Clement indicates he is reviewing the decision, and has asked for submissions on the matter by Nov. 18.
"I am in the process of carefully reviewing this ruling," he said in a letter sent to members of the wireless industry last Friday. "Should you have further comments with respect to the matter, over and above what you have already submitted, I would appreciate receiving them," says a copy of the letter obtained by The Globe and Mail.
The move is being viewed by members of the telecom sector as a kind of pre-cabinet review, where the minister is taking it upon himself to determine whether the matter can go to cabinet.
Globalive has so far not requested a cabinet review. The government can either instigate one itself or can review it upon request from the company.Darren Cunningham, a spokesman for Mr. Clement, said the consultations are part of the "due diligence" review the minister is undertaking. He said the Nov. 18 date is there to "focus some folks" and get comments back in a "timely manner" as Mr. Clement deliberates.
