Search Results for: shaw

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers/Shaw: Freedom Mobile “put on ice”, witness tells Competition Tribunal

Shaw Mobile is a big reason why Freedom stores are struggling, another witness says OTTAWA – Today was the third day of the Competition Tribunal hearing on the Competition Bureau’s application to block the proposed merger of Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications. Yesterday and today, two Freedom Mobile dealers appeared as witnesses, each answering questions about the struggles they say they have faced since the merger was announced. The first of the two witnesses, Sudeep Verma, opened his first Wind Mobile store in 2011 and continued on to open a total of 19 stores. He operated all of those stores until… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers/Shaw: Lawyers aim to drive home Competition Bureau not accounting for Freedom sale

OTTAWA – Day two of the Competition Tribunal hearing on the Competition Bureau’s application to block the merger of Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications saw witnesses answer questions drawing attention to the fact that while the Commissioner of Competition is opposing the whole merger in its original form, this past June the two companies announced a deal was made to sell Freedom Mobile to Quebecor subsidiary Videotron in an attempt to assuage concerns related to wireless competition. Stephanie Assad, competition law officer at the Competition Bureau, told the three-person tribunal panel she helped draft a request for information in September… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Northwestel president Curtis Shaw to deliver Bell lunch keynote at CTS

TORONTO — Organizers of the Canadian Telecom Summit (CTS) announced today Curtis Shaw (above), president of Bell Canada subsidiary Northwestel, will present Bell’s lunch keynote at the upcoming conference on Nov. 22 at 12 p.m. ET. Originally from Saskatchewan, where he earned his master’s degree in business, Shaw has been with Northwestel since 1996 – he started out as a product manager and became president in 2018. “In his time at Northwestel, Curtis brought fibre-to-the-home technology to 20 remote northern communities, making Yukon and Northwest Territories among the most connected jurisdictions in Canada. In partnership with Bell Mobility, he brought 4G… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers/Shaw: Competition Tribunal commences hearing on proposed merger

OTTAWA – Well over a year after the proposed merger of Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications was announced, the Competition Tribunal has begun to hear an application made by the Commissioner of Competition to block it. The Commissioner of Competition is arguing the merger will result in less competition, while Rogers and Shaw are arguing they have addressed that concern by coming to an agreement with Quebecor subsidiary Videotron for the sale of Shaw’s Freedom Mobile as competition concerns are centred around the wireless assets involved in the deal. According to the commissioner, however, this is not an effective remedy because… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers/Shaw: Second attempt at mediation fails (updated)

MONTREAL, TORONTO and CALGARY – A second mediation attempt between Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Quebecor and the Competition Bureau has failed, according to a press release issued by the three companies today. Rogers and Shaw are currently seeking approvals for their proposed merger. In an attempt to quell concerns about the potential impact of the deal on wireless competition in Canada, the companies agreed to sell Shaw’s Freedom Mobile to Quebecor subsidiary Videotron. The first attempt at mediation between Rogers, Shaw and the Competition Bureau happened in July. The second mediation attempt took place earlier today. “We are disappointed with… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers/Shaw: Headed to mediation with Competition Bureau (again)

OTTAWA – Rogers Communications, Shaw Communications and Videotron are headed to mediation with the Competition Bureau at the end of the month, the Competition Tribunal confirmed today. Earlier this year, the Commissioner of Competition applied to the tribunal to have the proposed merger of Rogers and Shaw blocked. Since then, Rogers and Shaw have come to an agreement with Quebecor subsidiary Videotron for the sale of Shaw’s Freedom Mobile to try to assuage concerns about the potential impact of the merger on wireless competition. “Given the public interest in this proceeding, the Competition Tribunal confirms that a mediation is scheduled to… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Shaw launches 4K device Shaw Stream, bringing access to streaming apps in one place

CALGARY — Shaw Communications announced today the launch of Shaw Stream, a new 4K device “that allows Shaw Fibre+ Internet customers to access their favourite streaming apps in one place on their TV, and makes them easy to navigate with Shaw’s powerful voice remote,” a press release says. Shaw Stream can be added to Shaw Fibre+ Internet plans starting at $5 per month. Separate subscriptions for the streaming services are required, the release explains. With Shaw Stream, Shaw Fibre+ Internet subscribers can “seamlessly access top streaming apps, including Netflix, Hayu, Prime Video, Tubi, YouTube as well as games and music apps,… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News, Radio / Television News

Rogers/Shaw: Heritage minister expresses confidence local news will be fine if merger approved

OTTAWA – In a response last week to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage’s May 2022 report on the impact of the proposed merger of Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications on local news, heritage minister Pablo Rodriguez suggested there is enough being done already to mitigate the potential negative impacts highlighted in the report. The minister acknowledged the Canadian broadcasting system is facing a time of “significant transformation”. “Canadians’ viewing habits are shifting online, and service providers are adapting to compete within Canada and with service providers from around the world,” his response reads. “The proposed transaction is taking place against… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers/Shaw: Staffieri says there’s an “optimistic opportunity” deal will close this year

Documents filed with Competition Tribunal make full hearing seem likely By Amanda OYE OTTAWA and TORONTO – Rogers Communications is still hoping for an expedited resolution to the Competition Bureau’s challenge to its proposed merger with Shaw Communications at the Competition Tribunal but is prepared in the event the deal is not approved by the end of the year. “Our expectation is that there is a possibility to get a decision from the tribunal this year, following that we would then look to the minister and ISED to provide their approval, which we would expect in due course,” Rogers’ president and… Continue Reading

Cable / Telecom News

Rogers asks how Videotron would be negatively impacted by Shaw buy

OTTAWA – Rogers Communications has filed with the Competition Tribunal a request for more information about how, according to the competition commissioner, Videotron will be negatively impacted by its acquisition of Shaw Communications — despite the sale of wireless assets to the Montreal-based company. The cable giant filed a request for more detail Tuesday as to allegations that Videotron, which agreed to acquire Shaw’s Freedom wireless business, would face difficulties in the market and its competitiveness would be reduced if the deal is allowed to happen. The allegations were made in a submission to the Tribunal earlier this month by… Continue Reading