Quebecor wireless rollout on schedule, CEO says

TORONTO, March 9 (Reuters) - The weak economy will not derail plans by Canadian publishing and media group Quebecor Inc (QBRa.TO)(QBRb.TO) to spend up to C$1 billion ($769 million) on launching a wireless phone network, its chief executive said on Monday.

"We intend to stay there, stay on course," CEO Pierre Karl Peladeau told reporters in Toronto. "We intend to keep our schedule."

He said the company still plans to offer mobile phone services on a new network starting in early 2010 despite the recession and what he referred to as "resistance" from established players.

Quebecor spent C$554.5 million on wireless spectrum during a federal government auction last summer. It, along with other wireless startups, plans to challenge established players BCE Inc (BCE.TO), Telus Corp (T.TO) and Rogers Communications Inc (RCIb.TO) for dominance of Canada's wireless market.

The money spent by Quebecor on the airwaves over which wireless services are delivered is part of up to C$1 billion that the Montreal-based company plans to spend on its network rollout over the next four years.

Some industry observers have said that because of the economic slump, they doubt that Quebecor, privately held Globalive Communications and other newcomers will be able to launch as quickly as they had hoped.

Quebecor shares were down 22 Canadian cents at C$18 on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Monday at midday.

($1=$1.30 Canadian) (Reporting by Wojtek Dabrowski; Editing by Peter Galloway)