Canada Post Considers Expansion in Wireless Market

Canada Post today announced its intention to offer consumers greater access to wireless products and services.

Canada Post is considering offering wireless phones and services at its 6,500 retail locations nationwide. New services would include cellular handsets and plans, with future potential for phone deactivation, recycling, and bill payment options. This would be an expansion of Canada Post's existing portfolio of phone-related products as the Corporation already sells prepaid long distance and wireless airtime at its retail sites.

"We want to provide Canadians with a simple and affordable wireless solution," says Louis O'Brien, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Canada Post. "By leveraging the largest retail network in the country, we can increase mobile access in rural and urban Canada."

The Corporation is considering all models for expansion, and is interested in establishing a partnership agreement with one or more wireless service providers. Canada Post can offer its retail reach to new wireless entrants or incumbent service providers both cost effectively and nationally.

Increased wireless offerings and value-added services will create a more diverse wireless market and potentially lower costs for consumers. These are two of the goals set by the Government of Canada when it opened the wireless market to greater competition in 2008. Canada Post's expansion into the wireless market is planned to begin in 2011.

"Canada Post's growth in the wireless space is good news for Canadians," says Mr. O'Brien "Our retail vision is to enhance post offices by providing more choice, access and convenience for consumers."