Feds deny transfer of Shaw wireless spectrum, threatening Rogers merger: Minister Champagne

Canada's Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said on Tuesday he would not approve the proposed deal between Rogers Communications Inc. and Shaw Communications Inc., though he left the door open to a revised agreement.

The $26-billion proposed merger would have meant the wholesale transfer of wireless spectrum licences from Shaw to Rogers.

Selling Shaw-owned Freedom Mobile has widely been seen as the main obstacle to the deal's approval, and Videotron earlier this year agreed to buy it for $2.85 billion.

But Champagne added that before he would approve the Videotron deal, he would need additional concessions.

The deal has already received Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approval and Competition Tribunal proceedings are currently underway, with a mediation ruling expected later this week.

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