Bell, Ziply file application to FCC for acquisition approval

BCE Inc. and Ziply Fiber have filed paperwork with the American Federal Communications Commission for Bell's purchase of the Kirkland, Washington-based provider. The deal was announced last November. When a licenced telecom provider is sold in the United States, the FCC looks at the transaction in terms of how it affects the public interest. Public comment is solicited, similar to how the CRTC conducts its proceedings in Canada.. In the joint filing with Bell to the FCC, Ziply describes itself as the leading fibre internet provider in the Pacific Northwest. It offers services in four states and has more than 1.3 million fibre locations in its footprint. The company would become a division of BCE Holding Corp., a Delaware-based subsidiary of Bell Canada. Once the acquisition is approved, Bell will restructure Ziply by merging all of Ziply’s subsidiaries into one company, according to the application. Bell says the deal is in the public interest because it will maintain Ziply as its own operating entity, keeping the current management and business plan. There should be no disruption to customers, the Canadian telecom said. In addition, Bell noted its experience in Canada rolling out fibre in difficult-to-serve places. It cited its deployment of broadband in Churchill, Man. in 2016. Lastly, Bell reminded the FCC that its home country is “a very close ally of the United States.” Bell believes its involvement with the American firm will help Ziply meet its buildout objectives. “Bell Canada has had great success in pivoting to deploying fibre-to-the-premises connections by overlaying legacy copper infrastructure with fibre directly to homes and businesses,” the Canadian company stated in its application. “Since the beginning of 2020 through the end of 2023, as part of an accelerated capital expenditure program, Bell Canada has invested nearly $19 billion (CAD) in its networks and expanded high-speed fibre broadband to 2.5 million new homes and businesses across its service area.” Bell had previously said it would reduce planned network investment by over $1 billion in 2024-25 in Canada, following the CRTC’s decision to mandate competitors’ access to last-mile fibre. In order to support its bid for foreign carrier certification, Bell pointed out that Canada is a member of the World Trade Organization. The company is asking for non-dominant status for the licensees on the U.S.-Canada route. news@thewirereport.ca

Bell, Ziply file application to FCC for acquisition approval

Telecom |
By Wire Report Staff
| February 24, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Bell, Ziply file application to FCC for acquisition approval

Telecom | By Wire Report Staff | February 24, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

CRTC approves sale of 21 BC radio stations from Bell to Vista

Bell offering buyouts to up to 1,200 telecom employees, union questions cuts

Telecoms testing their networks for the future of quantum connectivity

Telus’ arguments for incumbent access to wholesale regime not supported by competitors

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Telecom |
By Wire Report Staff
| February 24, 2025