Shaw Communications, coming off strong third quarter financial results, may be not be able to wait until late 2011 to launch a mobile wireless service. The Canadian MSO, which recently acquired Canwest Global Communications' broadcast business for a cool $2 billion, is in an increasingly hot competition with Telus, which has been aggressively pushing IPTV in Shaw territories.
Almost contrarily, Shaw gained 87,092 digital TV and 2,322 basic cable TV subscribers, 25,661 Internet customers and 66,123 phone lines in the third quarter despite Telus' push. The company's net income during that same period rose to $158 million compared to $132 million during the same period a year ago. Wireless, though, appeared to be the missing piece in the successful puzzle and 2011 could be a little late to get started.
"We continue to develop our wireless business plan and during the quarter commenced initial activities investing over $9 million on this strategic initiative," Chief Executive and Vice Chairman Jim Shaw was quoted in a company news release.
When asked directly if that meant the schedule would be moved up, Shaw equivocated, answering, "I don't know if we can really divulge that right now, but it's a good question.
For more:
- see this story
- and this story
- and this news release
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