New Canadian mobile operator Data & Audio Visual Enterprises (DAVE) Wireless has signed a roaming agreement with T-Mobile USA in a move to match the international roaming capabilities of Canada’s three incumbent mobile players, reports Reuters. DAVE Wireless – which plans to launch its first mobile services in Canada in the first half of next year – said the deal provides “reciprocal roaming on each company’s network in the markets where service is available.” DAVE Wireless President Dave Dobbin said in a statement that the company will seek to develop other roaming partnerships outside its initial launch markets, both in Canada and internationally.

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$221 million) for licenses in ten of the country’s 13 largest markets, including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa. 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.