New Canadian mobile operator Data & Audio Visual Enterprises (DAVE) Wireless is set for launch in early 2010 following a recent network deal with Ericsson, and plans to offer flexible, easy-to-understand monthly plans for its services in a bid to rival the country’s incumbent players. “You should get a plan that you understand and a bill that you understand,” CEO Dave Dobbin told The Canadian Press. The publication notes that DAVE’s five-year Ericsson deal covers the network build in its five most populous markets of Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa. The network will initially support HSPA technology (as well as HSPA+) and will allow upgrade to next-generation LTE technology. 

DAVE Wireless was one of several new mobile start-ups that acquired so-called Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum in Canada in an auction last year. The operator paid CAD243.16 million (US$224 million) for licenses in ten of the country’s 13 largest markets. As the new operators are unable to match the national (and international) coverage of Canada’s three established mobile operators (Rogers Wireless, Telus and BCE) roaming agreements are seen as crucial to the success of the new networks. To that end, DAVE in June announced it had signed a roaming agreement with T-Mobile USA. DAVE is expected to rebrand in time for next year’s network launch.