Videotron announced this week it's not limited to selling Blackberry, Windows, and Android phones any more. Now, it's got the trendy new iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s smartphones. Sales of the Apple products begin on March 28 at all Videotron retail stores. Pre-registration now is open for customers.

Videotron wasn't able to feature iPhones previously due to network limitations. The company recently bought into 700MHz spectrum capability in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia enabling it to offer the phones to its more than 503,000 wireless customers. The company is owned by the Quebecor Inc. and Quebecor Media conglomerate that has a 10 percent share of the Quebec market. Acquiring the other Canadian wireless spectrum now allows the company to offer a full-service national reach.

Major competitors for Videotron in Canada are Telus, Rogers Communications, and Bell Canada Enterprises. Analysts said it was surprising Videotron could ink the Apple deal considering it's small customer base relative to other national telecommunications companies.

Being able to sell iPhones is expected to boost business at Videotron. The company launched its wireless services in late 2010. analysts expect the company will have to absorb some of the costs of the phone so customers don't have to pay full price.

However, the price should prove well worth it as analysts believe Videotron can increase average revenue per user and market share with the hot new products. It's ARPU currently stands at well less than the $60 per user average at Telus, Rogers, and Bell Mobility.

On The Web:
Videotron to sell iPhones
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Videotron+sell+iPhones/9618993/story.html
iPhones Coming to Videotron
http://www.itworldcanada.com/article/iphones-coming-to-videotron/90346