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by Gerrit De Vynck

TORONTO

Quebecor Inc., owner of the Vidéotron wireless carrier, bought radio spectrum outside its home province of Quebec, increasing its ability to expand nationally or team up with another operator.

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The company, based in Montreal, spent C$187 million in a government auction for 2500 megahertz spectrum, which can help carriers handle data-heavy smartphone traffic and service users in rural areas, according to results posted Tuesday by the Industry ministry. Telus Corp. spent C$478.8 million, BCE Inc. spent C$29 million and Rogers Communications Inc. spent C$24.1 million.

Quebecor, which only operates in Quebec and northeast Ontario, bought airwaves in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec and British Columbia, following a similar purchase of airwaves across the country last year. Chief Executive Officer Pierre Dion has said he would expand under the right circumstances, possibly through a partnership with another carrier.

Last week, Dion said the company was waiting for new government regulations on how much carriers can charge others to use their networks, and couldn’t comment on future strategy until the spectrum results were announced. Martin Tremblay, a spokesman for Quebecor, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Quebecor and Wind Mobile, the brand name of Globalive Wireless Management Corp., are working to chip away at Rogers, BCE and Telus, which together control 90 percent of the market.