TORONTO-The chief of Rogers AT&T Wireless has dismissed recent industry speculation that his company wants to acquire smaller rival Microcell Telecommunications.
“We have a network that’s up and running. So it’s hard to see what Microcell’s network could offer us,” said Nadir Mohamed, Rogers AT&T Wireless president. The Toronto-based carrier has just completed the rollout of its upgraded GSM network, which serves 93 percent of Canada’s population. The carrier offers General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) with infrastructure developed in conjunction with Ericsson Canada.
Last week, Glenn Campbell, a telecom analyst at Merrill Lynch said in a research report that consolidation to three from four wireless players in Canada is “very possible.” Financially troubled Microcell is the only other Canadian carrier that uses GSM technology like Rogers AT&T Wireless.
Mohamed said Rogers’ extensive coverage has enabled it to attract customers, such as Purolator Courier and the Toronto Real Estate Board.
