QUEBEC CITY-Microcell Telecommunications Inc. will activate its personal communications services network April 3 in Quebec City, which initially will provide service in 23 municipalities of the greater metropolitan area, said the company.
The network, built by Microcell Connexions, is the second Microcell PCS 1.9 GHz network in Canada. The company launched its “Fido” branded Global System for Mobile communications PCS service in Montreal several months ago.
Microcell Telecommunications spokeswoman Claire Fiset did not disclose the number of subscribers on the Montreal network, but said, “we are meeting our most optimistic forecasts and expect to surpass our projection of 32,000 nationwide subscribers by the end of the year.”
“We are proud to have finished the network in less than six months,” said Microcell Connexions Chief Operating Officer Norman Wai. “A lot of the credit goes to our engineering team which, with the help of (L.M.) Ericsson, completed the construction on schedule.”
Microcell plans to launch PCS in the Ottawa/Hull area of Ontario April 10.
Microcell is the first licensed PCS carrier in Canada to launch digital services at 1.9 GHz. Clearnet Communications Inc. is expected to launch Code Division Multiple Access PCS service this summer. Rogers Cantel Inc. and some members of Mobility Canada, all licensed for cellular and PCS, have activated 800 MHz digital services using Time Division Multiple Access and CDMA technologies, respectively.
