Rogers welcomes CRTC approval for transfer of Shaw licences

Rogers Communications Inc. (“Rogers”) has welcomed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (“CRTC”) approval of the transfer of the broadcast distribution undertaking licences held by Shaw Communications Inc. (“Shaw”) to Rogers.

“This approval is an important milestone and brings us one step closer to completing our transformational transaction with Shaw,” said Tony Staffieri, President and CEO of Rogers. “Together, Rogers and Shaw will accelerate investment in 5G and cable networks across Canada, offer consumers and businesses more choice and competition, and connect rural and remote communities faster than either company could alone.”

The Rogers and Shaw transaction is expected to close in Q2 of 2022. It has been approved by the shareholders of Shaw, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, and now the CRTC, and remains subject to review by the Competition Bureau and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (ISED).

Teams from both Rogers and Shaw continue to work constructively with the Competition Bureau and ISED to ensure they have the information they need to assess the significant benefits the combined company will bring to Canadians and the Canadian economy.

Building a More Connected Canada

The combination of Rogers and Shaw will create a company with the assets and capabilities necessary to make the significant investments in digital infrastructure that Canada needs to create jobs, drive innovation, and lead in the global digital economy. The benefits include:

• Investing $2.5 billion to build 5G networks across Western Canada over the next five years;
• Establishing a new $1 billion Rogers Rural and Indigenous Connectivity Fund dedicated to connecting rural, remote, and Indigenous communities across Western Canada;
• Additional $3 billion to support further network, services, and technology investments;
• Offering customers across Western Canada next-generation features, functionalities and services through our industry-leading Ignite platform; and
• Creating up to 3,000 new jobs in Western Canada.