Today’s Regulatory Mix: Rogers Announces Plan to Purchase Shaw in $16 Billion Canadian Merger, US Legislators Introduce Accessible Affordable Internet for All Act
Rogers Announces Plan to Purchase Shaw in $16 Billion Canadian Merger
Two of Canada’s top telecommunications companies have announced plans to merge. Rogers Communications announced its plan to acquire rival Shaw Communications for approximately $16 billion (C$26B). Once completed, Rogers will become the second largest Canadian provider of telecommunications behind BCE (formerly 
Bell Canada Enterprises). Regulatory review by the CRTC, Independent Competition Bureau of Canada, and the Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development is still required. If approved, the deal is expected to close in the first half of 2022.
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US Legislators Introduce Accessible Affordable Internet for All Act
House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (SC-06) introduced H.R. 1783, the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, which authorizes over $94 billion to ensure unserved and underserved communities have affordable high-speed internet access.
“Access to broadband today will have the same dramatic impact on rural communities as the rural electrification efforts in the last century,” said Whip Clyburn. “When I formed the Rural Broadband Task Force, our mission was to address the digital divide. The disparate effects of that divide have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic and exposed the urgency of ensuring universal access to high-speed internet. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to enact the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), co-chair of the Senate Broadband Caucus, introduced the bill in the Senate.
“When we invest in broadband infrastructure, we invest in opportunity for all Americans,” said Senator Klobuchar. “In 2021, we should be able to bring high-speed internet to every family in America — regardless of their zip code. This legislation will help bridge the digital divide once and for all.”
Recent Briefings from Inteserra!
- California Requests Data on STIR/SHAKEN Due March 23, 2021
- Colorado Proposes Permanent Rule Revisions to Implement Statewide 9-1-1 Surcharge
- FCC 988 Milestones: March 25, 2021 Deadline to Send First Customer Notice
- FCC Adopts Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
- FCC Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule Changes to Protect Communications Infrastructure
- New Mexico Issues Deadline for Federal RDOF Auction ETC Applications
- Texas Increases Maximum Access Line Fees for Use of Public Rights-Of-Way for Year 2021
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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.
