Shaw to buy Wind Mobile for 1.6 Billion

[DrSat]

Wow, this was unexpected news!  Especially considering the fact that Shaw recently sold the AWS spectrum they had acquired stating that they are not interested in launching a wireless provider due to the long time it would take for a return on their investment.

Shaw is smart... they bid on spectrum but instead of launching a carrier with it, they sell it to Rogers for profit and then get most of it back simply by buying out Wind.

Good thing is that with their financial backing, Shaw will allow Wind Mobile to become a truly national 4th Canadian carrier.  However, this will most likely mean that Wind Mobile rate plans will eventually increase.

Shaw Communications Inc. to Acquire WIND Mobile Corp.- Enhances Shaw's product offering by expanding mobile service capabilities and enabling development of a best-in-class converged wireline and wireless network - Unique opportunity to acquire rapidly growing wireless business together with 50 MHz of spectrum in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia - Acquisition of WIND represents the most efficient operating and financial entry point into the Canadian wireless landscape - Time to market and integration will be greatly enhanced via an established operating business and experienced management team

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Dec. 16, 2015) - Shaw Communications Inc. ("Shaw") (TSX:SJR.B)(NYSE:SJR) announced today that it has agreed to acquire a 100% interest in Mid-Bowline Group Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, WIND Mobile Corp. ("WIND" or the "Company") for an enterprise value of approximately $1.6 billion (the "Transaction").

"The global telecom landscape is quickly evolving towards 'mobile-first' product offerings as consumers demand ubiquitous connectivity from their service providers. The acquisition of WIND provides Shaw with a unique platform in the wireless sector which will allow us to offer a converged network solution to our customers that leverages our full portfolio of best-in-class telecom services, including fibre, cable, WiFi, and now wireless," said Chief Executive Officer, Brad Shaw. "This transaction represents a transformational step in the history of Shaw and we are excited about our future growth prospects in mobile. This growth will be accelerated by combining Shaw's existing customer relationships, trusted brand and wireline and WiFi infrastructure with WIND's impressive asset base, including its existing spectrum position and mobile network."

WIND is Canada's largest non-incumbent wireless services provider, serving approximately 940,000 subscribers across Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta with 50MHz of spectrum in each of these regions. Led by a management team with demonstrated telecom expertise, the Company has achieved impressive growth as evidenced by a 47% increase in its subscriber base over the past two years which has translated into strong growth in revenue and EBITDA. In calendar year 2015, WIND is expected to generate $485 million in revenue and $65 million in EBITDA. As WIND continues to reinvest in its network and service offering, including a scheduled upgrade to 4G LTE services by 2017, the Company expects that its unique customer value proposition will result in continued strong growth in the future.

WIND's current management team is led by Chief Executive Officer Alek Krstajic, who has over 20 years of telecom experience. Mr. Krstajic and his team will remain with the Company and will continue to drive the wireless opportunity. "We believe the combination of Shaw and WIND creates a wireless leader with immediate benefits for our customers and employees, giving them more choice, capabilities and opportunities to stay connected," said Mr. Krstajic. "With Shaw's long-term commitment, customer focus and breadth of product offering, this transaction enables us to enter into a new phase of growth."

In 2011, Shaw announced the launch of a carrier-grade WiFi network, Shaw GO WiFi, which has since expanded to over 75,000 hotspots, increasing the value proposition of broadband outside of the home. "The time has come to offer even more mobility to our customers," said Mr. Shaw. "By acquiring WIND, we now have immediate scale, spectrum, retail distribution and a network with a clear path to LTE that complements our existing fibre and WiFi infrastructure."