10 notable telecom deals in Canada

Bell Canada's deal to buy Astral Media Inc. is just one in a long list of deals made by communications giants in Canada that add up to billions of dollars. Here's a look at some of the bigger industry shifts in recent years.  

Rogers and Bell buy MLSE

Last year, Rogers and Bell pooled their resources and bought a majority stake in Canada's biggest sports franchise company, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. The two companies, fierce rivals in the business of cellphone and internet services, each paid the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan about $533 million for a 37.5 per cent chunk of the sports ownership company. MLSE owns the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, the AHL's Toronto Marlies, the NBA's Toronto Raptors and Major League Soccer's Toronto FC.

Rogers buys Atria

In 2010, Rogers bought Ontario newtwork operator Atria Networks. The Kitchener, Ont.-based company is considered a fibre-optic asset and has more than 1,000 clients in the public sector and in small to medium-sized businesses. Atria was purchased for about $425 million.

Bell buys Hypertec Availability Services's data hosting

In 2010, Bell aquired Quebec-based Hypertec Availability Service's data hosting division in a move to expand Bell's data hosting servies for government and corporate clients.

Telus acquires Black's photography

In 2009, Telus acquired Black's Photo Corporation, a national imaging and digital retailer. Black's was established in the 1930s and offers printing services, digital camera equipment and accessories, as well as frames and albums. The deal was worth approximately $28 million.

Bell buys The Source

In 2009, Bell bought 750 Canadian The Source stores to enhance the growth of its wireless, digital TV, internet and home phone services. The consumer electronics retailer operated as Radio Shack in Canada until 2005.

Telus acquires Emergis

In 2008, Telus merged with Emergis, an electronic health-care solutions provider. Emergis is involved with health-related claims processing, health record systems and pharmacy management, among other services. The company works with insurance companies, financial institutions hospitals and corporations in Canada.

Rogers buys Citytv stations

In 2007, Rogers Media paid $375 million for five Citytv stations in Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. The stations were initially part of CTVglobemedia's $1.7-billion purchase of CHUM Ltd. but the CRTC ordered the sale of the Citytv stations because of competition concerns.

Rogers buys Microcell

In 2004, Rogers bought Microsell Telecommunications, the operator of the Fido cellphone network. The friendly takeover was worth about $1.4 billion.

Telus acquires Adcom

In 2004, Telus merged with Adcom, a Canadian videoconferencing company, in a transaction listed at slightly less than $15 million. Adcom creates videoconferencing products like integrated boardrooms and theatres.

Bell Aliant merger

In 1999, Altantic Canadian companies Island Telecom, Bruncor, NewTel Enterprises and Maritime Telephone and Telegraph Company merged to form Aliant. Then in 2006, Bell and Aliant merged operations.