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As of today (December 11, 2009), Globalive wireless received the go ahead from the Canadian government to launch their mobile services here in Canada. According to Anthony Lacavera, the CEO of Globalive, they can launch as early as next week.

They were originally denied the right to enter as a mobile service provider in the market because their company was partially financed by Orascom Telecom Holding in Egypt. Globalive purchased the wireless spectrum in a government auction in 2008 hoping to launch a national mobile device network under the European brand name WIND. WIND has been a successful brand in two large European markets for over 10 years.

So why did the Canadian government eventually overturn their decision? According to the Canadian industry minister, Tony Clement, Globalive was partially influenced by Orascom Telecom Holding but the Egyptian based Orascom did not control Globalive. This now allows Globalive to enter the market immediately at their discretion without any other government delay.

This is great news for Canadian mobile service users (and prospective users).

Also good news for the job market seeing as the Toronto based company is looking to fill atleast 300 customer service positions right away and up to 2000 in the next year.

This makes Globalive the 4th wireless network service provider next to Rogers, Bell, and Telus. Providers such as Koodo are just service providers not network providers; they just piggy back off of other networks.