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Old 08-10-2012, 07:02 AM
nhanson nhanson is offline
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Posts: 51
Default Bloomberg: Shaw and Telus Continue To Lose Ground To WestNet City Wi-Fi

from http://www.bloomberg.com/article/201...rvM407Z8w.html

Bloomberg: Shaw and Telus Continue To Lose Ground To WestNet City Wi-Fi

NEW YORK, NY, Aug. 11, 2012 (Bloomberg) - A wireless-based
internet company has entered the active internet and voice market war in
Calgary.

WestNet Communications LTD, based in Calgary, aggressively built a hybrid
–cellular and Wi-Fi network, named WestNet City Wi-Fi. Founded by 30 year old
Abdul Traya, the company surpassed 30,000 fixed wireless subscribers and over
75,000 mobile subscribers. Mobile accounts usually consist of tourists who need
immediate mobile internet access on a laptop computer, tablet or
smartphone.

Interest in WestNet City Wi-Fi surged last year when Calgary-based Shaw
Communications Inc. ceased deployment of their traditional cellular based
network and focused on wide area Wi-Fi. Shaw said it made "business sense, as
Wi-Fi requires no licensing fees."

In 2008, Shaw paid $190 million in a federal government auction of wireless
spectrum aimed at encouraging competition by making a place for new entrants
into the industry. In the middle of 2011, Shaw said it was pushing ahead with
its plans to launch a cell service, pledging $150 million to $200 million for
a launch expected in early 2012. Shortly afterwards, Shaw turned towards
Wi-Fi.

"Given that Wi-Fi spectrum is free and there are no device subsidies, we
[Shaw] can build extensive Wi-Fi coverage at a substantially lower cost
relative to a traditional wireless network and still provide our customers
with an excellent broadband wireless experience," Shaw said.

Greg Bowman, an industry analyst who has been following WestNet for several
years, says several factors made up the success of WestNet. "Traya has been no
stranger to taking on large companies, not only has he been one of the very
few that made substantial margins on municipal wide Wi-Fi, but his network
actually works, as Wi-Fi is a free spectrum, it's also a hub for
interference," says Bowman. "Traya always showed confidence, to see him even
attempt to get a piece of pie, is like a mom and pop corner store open up in
New York Times Square overnight." added Bowman.

Adding to the subscriber turf frontline, WestNet has been deploying its own
fibre optic network in certain Calgary communities. WestNet would not comment
on their fibre network, although WestNet did post few details on its website
that the service is currently in "the works."

Early Start

According to Business in Calgary, Abdul started his company in 1996, providing
various internet services and domain name services. At the age of 16 when
Apple Computer was not yet a household name, he cashed in on a settlement
with Apple. In 1999 before Wi-Fi was even an industry standard, he experimented
with wireless Ethernet.

Nowadays, WestNet mounts cellular style Wi-Fi transmitters onto both high and
low rise buildings in Calgary. "It's been a lot of fun, when I was deploying
the physical network, some days I would go to work with a briefcase, and then
the next day I'd carry the case for my Black & Decker power drill." Said
Traya, from his office in dowtown Calgary. "I'm regularly
asked by municipalities all over North America to fix or deploy a city-wide
Wi-Fi network, some of these cities spent millions of dollars on them and they
don't work. I spent a faction on that just for the great City of Calgary," he
added.

Telus predicted Traya's success 2 years ago. In 2010, Business in Calgary
Magazine quoted Telus's spokesperson Jim Johannsson; "He might be on to
something really interesting and he might find a customer niche that he can
serve really well and be very successful."


Media Contact: Michael Silverman
WestNet

403.774.7470
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  #2  
Old 01-11-2015, 01:36 AM
stormwolf stormwolf is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 9
Default Are they still in business?

Just stumbled on this..

Can't believe I've never even heard of them till today. Their website is pretty shoddy for a tech startup. You guys think they're still in business?
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