BCE and Rogers' acquisition of GLENTEL: Competition Bureau reaches agreement with BCE and Rogers on measures to preserve competition in the wireless telecommunications sector

OTTAWA, May 5, 2015 /CNW/ - BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc. have reached an agreement with the Competition Bureau that resolves the Bureau's concerns that the acquisition by BCE of wireless retailer GLENTEL Inc. and the subsequent sale by BCE of 50 percent of GLENTEL to Rogers would likely result in a substantial lessening of competition in the wireless sector.

Under the consent agreement filed today with the Competition Tribunal, administrative firewalls will be put in place between BCE, Rogers and GLENTEL to prevent the sharing of competitively sensitive information, including subscriber information, pricing and promotional offers.

These firewalls are necessary to ensure that the transaction does not provide BCE and Rogers with the ability to share confidential information which could result in consumers paying higher prices for wireless products and services.

The agreement will further ensure that BCE and Rogers do not obtain similar information from their competitors that also distribute through GLENTEL locations.

Quick Facts

• During the course of its review, the Bureau consulted with a broad range of market participants, including other wireless carriers and retailers.
• GLENTEL offers wireless telecommunications products and services. It operates more than 359 locations in Canada, including WIRELESSWAVE, Wireless etc…, Tbooth Wireless, MacStation and certain Samsung stores.
• In the vast majority of its locations, GLENTEL currently sells the wireless products and services of only BCE and Rogers.

Quote

"Telecommunications products and services are very important for Canadian consumers. The Bureau is confident that the agreement reached today will ensure that there will not be significant anti-competitive effects for Canadian consumers arising from BCE and Rogers' acquisition of GLENTEL. We are pleased that BCE and Rogers chose to work with the Bureau to find a solution that addresses the Bureau's concerns." 
Jeanne Pratt
Senior Deputy Commissioner, Mergers and Monopolistic Practices

Associated Links

A copy of the consent agreement will be available shortly on the Competition Tribunal website.

SOURCE Competition Bureau

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Related Links

http://www.cb-bc.gc.ca