Canada’s Industry Minister Says That Rogers Communications Inc. by Shaw Communications Inc. Will give its verdict on the proposed $ 26 billion purchase of the company only when there is clarity in the ongoing legal battle.
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Francois-Philippe Champagne’s Saturday statement comes days after a competition tribunal rejected an application by Canada’s competition watchdog seeking to block the takeover, a decision the competition bureau says it is appealing. Is.
Champagne says it will review the tribunal’s decision and issue its own separate ruling “only after there is clarity from the ongoing legal process”.
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The minister in October rejected the wholesale transfer of wireless spectrum licenses from Shaw to Rogers, with Shaw’s ownership of Freedom Mobile widely seen as a main obstacle to federal approval.
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At the time, Champagne left the door open for a revised deal in which Freedom Mobile would be transferred to Quebecor Inc. under two key conditions. K’s Videotron Ltd. was sold.
Videotron will have to agree to keep Freedom’s wireless license for at least 10 years and the minister “expects to see” wireless prices in Ontario and western Canada fall in line with the company’s Quebec offerings.
“What is left before me is a separate request from Shaw to transfer the spectrum license to Quebecor. Promoting competition and efficiency in the telecom sector is one of my top priorities. That position hasn’t changed,” Champagne said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on December 31, 2022.