Videotron launching mobile network tomorrow

Canadian cableco Videotron is launching its own HSPA-based 3G mobile network tomorrow (9 September), with coverage across Quebec. The company is Bell Canada’s largest competitor in the province’s home telephony market and is also Quebec’s largest provider of both pay-TV and fixed internet access. Up until now Videotron, a subsidiary of Quebecor, has augmented its cable TV, broadband and VoIP-based cable telephony with cellular services offered over the GSM/HSPA network of Rogers Communications; the partnership will continue with Videotron users provided national mobile roaming courtesy of Rogers. The newcomer is following a strategy of undercutting the tariffs of the established national cellcos – Rogers, Bell and Telus – as it did with its successful campaign to win home phone customers from Bell; its wireless packages will be predominantly aimed at its existing subscribers as part of a quad-play portfolio with discounts available for taking multiple services.