TORONTO – Rogers Telecom Inc. announced today that it has acquired most of the Group Telecom assets in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia from Bell Canada, finishing a transaction announced on May 2, 2005.
The transaction – which was originally signed by Call-Net (Sprint Canada) is part of Call-Net’s acquisition of the 360networks Corporation (360/GT) customer base in Eastern Canada from Bell Canada, originally announced on November 22, 2004.
Specifically, Rogers Telecom has completed the transaction to acquire approximately 3,300 route kilometres of multi-stranded local and regional fibre, switching infrastructure, incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) co-locations and point-of-presence (POP) and hub sites, in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. As previously disclosed, the total value of this portion of the transaction is $12.6 million.
Rogers Telecom’s agreement with Bell Canada to provide services and maintain the network in these provinces has been amended to reflect the change in ownership.
“In addition, Rogers Telecom has exercised a portion of its option on Bell Canada owned Group Telecom assets in Ontario and Quebec, acquiring approximately 3,400 route kilometres of multi-stranded dark fibre, for $12 million. Rogers Telecom continues to hold an option on the remaining lit and operational portion of the former Group Telecom network in Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland & Labrador. If the remaining option is exercised, Rogers Telecom would expect to close by the end of 2006.
