Rogers Buying Rival Mobilicity in Canadian Deal

Mobilicity accepted a $440 million (Canadian) (US$354 million) takeover bid from Rogers Communications, Rogers said Wednesday in a news release. Mobilicity has been under creditor protection since April 2013. To win regulatory approval, Rogers said it plans to sell some of Mobilicty’s spectrum to Wind Mobile. Rogers also said it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Shaw's AWS-1 spectrum. Mobilicity, originally formed as Dave Wireless, emerged as a competitive carrier after buying spectrum in Canada’s AWS auction. “We're basically adding multiple lanes on our wireless highway in three key markets overnight," said Guy Laurence, CEO of Rogers. "This means faster speeds and better quality for our customers as they use more and more mobile video." Rogers said the deals will give it more spectrum in Alberta, British Columbia and southern Ontario. The Mobilicity deal is subject to various government approvals.