Canada Post wants to get mobile and offer customers greater access to wireless products andservices.
The Canadian postal operator said it is considering offering wireless phones and services at its6,500 retail locations nationwide. New services would include cellular handsets and plans, withfuture potential for phone deactivation, recycling, and bill payment options. This would be anexpansion of Canada Post’s existing portfolio of phone-related products as the corporation alreadysells prepaid long distance and wireless airtime at its retail sites.
“We want to provide Canadians with a simple and affordable wireless solution,” explained LouisO’Brien, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Canada Post. “By leveraging thelargest retail network in the country, we can increase mobile access in rural and urbanCanada.”
The corporation is considering all models for expansion, and is interested in establishing apartnership agreement with one or more wireless service providers. Canada Post can offer its retailreach to new wireless entrants or incumbent service providers both cost effectively andnationally.
Increased wireless offerings and value-added services will create a more diverse wireless marketand potentially lower costs for consumers. These are two of the goals set by the Government ofCanada when it opened the wireless market to greater competition in 2008. Canada Post’s expansioninto the wireless market is planned to begin in 2011.
“Canada Post’s growth in the wireless space is good news for Canadians,” O’Brien commented. “Ourretail vision is to enhance post offices by providing more choice, access and convenience forconsumers.”
A Request For Partnership (RFP) process will be used by Canada Post to identify potentialmobility partners and determine the best strategy to meet the organization’s objectives.
