Two years after it was first announced, Rogers Communications Inc.’s takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. is complete. Days after the transaction received final sign-off from Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, Rogers and Shaw made it official: two major Canadian telecom companies are now one, with a fourth player set to expand to the national stage in the months ahead.
Read more: Rogers-Shaw merger closes, forming new telecom giant The $26-billion deal marks a fundamental shakeup to Canada’s telecommunications sector, with major implications for Canadians’ phone bills.
Here’s everything you need to know. Rogers first announced plans to acquire Calgary-based Shaw in March 2021, but that proposal is significantly different from what was approved Friday.
To appease concerns about a lack of competition arising, part of the deal includes Shaw selling off its Freedom Mobile wireless business to Quebecor Inc.’s Videotron in a deal valued at $2.85 billion.