TORONTO – Rogers Communications is in talks with potential buyers of Shaw Communications’ Freedom Mobile, although according to the Globe and Mail, these talks do not include Quebecor subsidiary Videotron.
The news comes following a statement earlier this month from François-Philippe Champagne, minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, in which he said he would not allow Rogers to acquire all of Shaw’s wireless assets. (Rogers’ acquisition of Shaw still needs approval from ISED, the CRTC and the Competition Bureau.)
At a Scotia Bank conference the following week, Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri said Rogers found the statement to be helpful, and noted the company would “continue to work with the regulatory bodies on a solution.” He also emphasized the deal for Rogers is really about acquiring Shaw’s cable assets.
It is unclear whether Videotron is not part of the conversation about Freedom because of lack of interest on Rogers’ part or Videotron’s – or another reason entirely. (Cartt.ca reached out to both Quebecor and Rogers – Quebecor did not respond and Rogers declined to comment.)
Quebecor’s president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau has expressed interest in purchasing Freedom on multiple occasions as a way to expand Videotron out to western Canada.
According to the Globe’s report, however, “Bank of Nova Scotia analyst Jeff Fan recently questioned whether Quebecor has resigned itself to expanding nationally through an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) rather than by acquiring Freedom.”
