An exact date isn’t mentioned, but they are saying that the Roku 2 XD and the Roku 2 XS should be both be available through the usual retailers “in the coming days.” The XD is priced at $89, while the XS is tagged at $109. Both are available for pre-order as of right now, if you happen to be particularly enthusiastic.

But before you get too excited, it should be noted that the Canadian version of the Roku likely won’t have full access to the over 450 stations offered to our American counterparts. Thanks to “regional restrictions” and the CRTC, that’ll get bumped down to about 100 channels, including Netflix, Crackle, NHL, Flickr, and Rdio. I’d be nice to get Hulu Plus and ESPN, but I find that doubtful.

[Source]

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The company that you once knew as DAVE Wireless has since been rebranded as Mobilicity and the CRTC will be going through their paperwork to determine if it is compliant with Canadian ownership and control requirements. That’s all a part of the Canadian Telecommunications Act, which could be changing soon too.

The CRTC issued a letter to Mobilicity on March 5th saying that it will undertake a “Type 2 review of the ownership and control of DAVE Wireless in order to determine its eligibility to operate as a Canadian telecommunications common carrier.”

The current plan has Mobilicity rolling out its initial launch in Toronto some time this spring and then they will continue with the rollout through to Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa a little later on this year.

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Canada may open up the road to foreign wireless companies.

Do you remember the hiccups that Wind Mobile had to overcome prior to its launch? Do you remember how the CRTC almost stopped Wind from opening its doors due to a sizable investment from a German firm? If these new changes do take place, situations like that will truly be a thing of the past.

More specifically, Governor General Michaelle Jean noted in her Speech from the Throne that the Conservative government plans to open up the wireless industry to foreign investment. This can open the floodgates to competition in the industry.

“Our Government will open Canada’s doors further to venture capital and to foreign investment in key sectors, including the satellite and telecommunications industries, giving Canadian firms access to the funds and expertise they need,” said Jean. “While safeguarding Canada’s national security, our Government will ensure that unnecessary regulation does not inhibit the growth of Canada’s uranium mining industry by unduly restricting foreign investment. It will also expand investment promotion in key markets.”

As it stands, the Telecommunications Act says that a wireless carrier cannot be more than 46.7% owned by foreign investors and control must be at least 80% in Canadian hands.

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