MONTREAL — Freedom Mobile will offer a $50 plan that includes unlimited calls and texts as well as 40 GB of data usable nationwide and in the U.S. following its acquisition by Quebecor Inc.'s Videotron.
The $2.85 billion deal was prompted by Rogers Communications Inc.'s takeover of Shaw Communications Inc., which agreed last year to sell Freedom Mobile in an attempt to ease competition concerns as a requirement for the merger.
As part of the conditions of federal approval laid out by Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne in March, Videotron must offer plans that are at least 20 per cent lower than its competitors' plans and spend $150 million over the next two years to upgrade Freedom Mobile’s network.
The company says that work is underway, with teams dedicated to upgrading the wireless network to support the upcoming implementation of 5G technology and seamless roaming.
Freedom says the new lower-priced plan is its first offering with national coverage.
It says it has also introduced enhancements to its services that go beyond Quebecor's commitments at the time of the transaction, such as a price freeze guarantee, which applies to all current and future customers for as long as they keep their plans.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 25, 2023.
Companies in this story: (TSX:QBR.B, TSX:RCI.B)
The Canadian Press
