QBCAF - Antitrust look at C$26B Rogers-Shaw combo moves forward with court orders

Canada's antitrust regulator has obtained court orders allowing for its investigation of a proposed Rogers Communications (RCI +0.4%) acquisition of Shaw Communications (SJR +1.4%) to move forward. In mid-March, Rogers came to a C$26B deal to acquire rival Shaw, seeking C$1B in annual synergies. Canada's Competition Bureau is probing whether the deal will bring a "substantial lessening or prevention of competition" in services including mobile wireless, wireline and broadcasting. And the court orders call on Xplornet Communications, BCE (BCE +1.5%), Telus (TU +1.1%), and Quebecor (OTCPK:QBCRF) to provide records and information about mobile wireless services that the Bureau will use in the investigation. Shaw's shareholders approved the deal at the end of May, and the company has cited the support of influential proxy advisers for the merger.

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Antitrust look at C$26B Rogers-Shaw combo moves forward with court orders