Tension is over: Ottawa greenlights Rogers’ acquisition of Shaw, a $20 billion deal that also sees Quebecor taking control of Freedom Mobile, Shaw’s cellphone subsidiary.
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Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne finally ruled on Friday by imposing a series of conditions on the parties, notably that the arrival in Western Canada of Videotron, owned by Quebecor, will result in a 20% price drop in that market.
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“If Canadians do not see a significant price reduction within a reasonable time as a result of this decision, I will have no choice but to seek further legislative and regulatory powers to bring prices down.” And I insist on saying it, nothing is out of the question,” Mr Champagne said in a morning news conference on Friday.
Mr. Champagne also urges Quebecor not to transfer its licenses for at least 10 years, roll out 5G network in Freedom Mobile’s territory within two years, expand wireless service in Manitoba and 10% additional data as a temporary bonus to existing Freedom -to offer to customers.