In a statement late Friday, the companies said the deal would support Distributel’s growth strategy in the residential and business segments for internet services. Bell said the acquisition will further its efforts to provide customers with more service options.
Representatives of independent communications companies said the deal reflects what they called the anti-competitive nature of policies set by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. Geoff White, executive director and general counsel of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada, said recent CRTC rulings have led to a string of takeovers of small providers.
“The loss of independent competitors to large incumbents who have relentlessly attacked and weakened the CRTC’s wholesale access framework is worrisome, because home internet prices have been on the rise, and we expect that trend to continue and worsen with each acquisition,” Mr. White said in a statement.
globebusiness Really?
globebusiness Z
Terrible! The monopoly continues!