Bell Canada’s planned takeover of MTS worries Niki Ashton.
The Churchill-Keewatinook Aski MP is calling on the Liberal government to study the pending sale before it goes through.
“Greater competition in Manitoba means that we paid lower prices than other parts of the country, but the proposed takeover of MTS by Bell could erase this advantage,” Ashton said during Question Period Wednesday, as quoted by CBC.
“Will the Liberals commit to a public study of this potential takeover? Or will they rubber stamp this deal and stand with well-connected business interests instead of standing up for Manitoba jobs and Manitoba consumers?”
Economic development minister Navdeep Bains assured Ashton that the government will “be looking carefully to make sure the concerns of Manitobans are addressed,” CBC reported.
Bell’s takeover of MTS, Manitoba’s largest telecommunications provider, requires approval from three separate government agencies, according to the network.
The deal, worth $3.9 billion, was announced Monday.
In a news release, MTS said the sale “is expected to provide significant benefits to MTS customers and employees,” as Bell plans to invest $1 billion in the company in the five years after the transaction closes.
According to release, this investment will:
• Upgrade to Gigabit Fibe internet, offering average access speeds up to 20 times faster than what MTS customers receive today, available within 12 months after the transaction closes.
• Expand the mobile LTE network and make improvements to mobile data speeds that will double customers’ average download speeds.
• Provide access to Fibe TV, a TV platform.
