A historic milestone for the Canadian telecommunications sector was realized as Rogers Communications Inc. announced it had successfully concluded its merger with Shaw Communications Inc. The merger unites two famous Canadian companies that have been connecting Canadians for over five decades.
The merger creates a coast-to-coast nationwide company which has fiber-powered internet that is accessible to nearly 70% of Canadian households. The newly combined company plans to bundle more products and services, including internet, television, phone, smart home monitoring, wireless services, credit card offers and sports and media content.
In the next five years, the company intends to spend billions of dollars to offer fast, reliable networks in additional towns across Western Canada. Rogers will invest $1 billion in the four Western provinces to link rural, remote and Indigenous communities, as well as unserved distant routes. The business also intends to invest $2.5 billion to expand and strengthen 5G coverage in over 300 locations across Western Canada. This includes 40 newly established municipalities, for a total coverage area of 140,000 square kilometers.
Rogers Communications will invest $3 billion in broadband infrastructure to bring higher speeds to 4.7 million homes in Northern Ontario and British Columbia. By extending Connected for Success, their low-cost high-speed internet program, and offering their low-cost Connect for Success cellular program to eligible Canadians across the country, the company will also connect more low-income Canadians and make 5G services more accessible.
Furthermore, Rogers intends to promote innovation and economic growth by investing more than $7 billion in the Western Canadian economy. The business will create 3,000 jobs in the West to support network, service and technology development. It will also keep its Western Canada headquarters in Calgary. Rogers will also establish THINKLab, a National Center of Technology and Engineering Excellence in Calgary, to help Canada’s next generation of technological leaders. In addition, the corporation will contribute $75 million each year to local charities and youth across Canada.
