Toronto and Montréal, July, 26 2004 — PRIMUS Telecommunications
Canada Inc. (PRIMUS Canada), the largest alternative communications provider in Canada, will offer wireless services through the network of Microcell Solutions Inc., a leading PCS (Personal Communications Services) telecommunications carrier. The services are expected to be launched in fall 2004 by PRIMUS Canada.
The two companies today announced a multi-year agreement that provides PRIMUS
Canada with access to Microcell’s national PCS network as a Mobile Virtual
Network Operator (MVNO). The agreement combines the network expertise of Microcell,
a national Canadian pioneer in the GSM wireless industry, with the marketing
strength of PRIMUS Canada, a leading telecommunications service provider with
over one million customers.
Access to Microcell’s network will allow PRIMUS to reach over 80% of
all Canadians living in urban areas across Canada. PRIMUS will join one of the
fastest growing sectors by offering wireless services wherever Microcell provides
access. Services will be marketed under the PRIMUS brand and will leverage PRIMUS’
existing facilities-based national network to carry long-distance traffic.
Microcell’s unique wholesale voice and data service offering provides
seamless wireless connectivity to its highly secure GSM/GPRS network and roaming
services through its 303 voice and 53 data roaming agreements worldwide.
“Our ability to provide unbranded, unbundled wholesale wireless services
ensures we continue to make excellent use of one of our biggest assets—our
national GSM/GPRS network,” said Alain Rhéaume, President and Chief
Operating Officer of Microcell Solutions Inc. “This agreement with PRIMUS
Canada presents Microcell with a strong opportunity to expand into new and complementary
markets with one of Canada’s leading telecommunications providers.”
For the first time, Canadians will be able to fulfill all of their telecommunications
needs with PRIMUS, including wireless voice and data, high-speed Internet, long-distance,
traditional local line, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services. The
expanded offering will provide customers with competitively priced wireless
services along with the opportunity to benefit from strong affinity programs.
“With the addition of wireless service, PRIMUS Canada will provide the
choice and value Canadian customers want across a full range of telecom services,”
said Ted Chislett, President of PRIMUS Canada. “Our base of more than
one million customers gives us a strong starting point for offering wireless
services and bundled solutions.”
About Microcell Solutions Inc.
Microcell Solutions Inc. is a national provider of wireless communications
services under the Fido® brand name. The company offers a wide range of
wireless voice and high-speed data communications products and services to over
1.2 million customers. Microcell Telecommunications Inc. is the parent
company of Microcell Solutions. Microcell Telecommunications has been a public
company since October 15, 1997, and is listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the symbol MT. For more information, visit www.fido.ca
and www.microcell.ca.
Fido is a registered trademark of Microcell Solutions Inc.
