Big Telecom gets bigger: Bell announces its purchase of Astral Media

Today Bell announced that it's getting bigger; it will soon be in control of Astral Media, giving the company more control over content for its cellphone, Internet and land-line services. As they grow, companies like Bell and Rogers gain even more ability, not to mention incentive, to engage in anticompetitive behaviour. And with unchecked dominance over Canadians' communications comes higher prices, tighter contracts, more disrespectful customer service, and greater potential for surveillance. The pro-Internet community has come a long way since its inception—from moving the decision on usage-based billing to pushing back the government's online spying agenda—and as Big Telecom beefs up, it's more important than ever that we sustain our momentum. Join our Digital Action Team today, and be a part of another one of the most active groups in our growing community. Article from CBC News: Bell Canada, the country's biggest telecommunications company, has agreed to buy Montreal-based Astral Media Inc. for $3.38 billion, giving the company more control over content for its cell-phone, internet and land-line services.

Astral owns radio stations and television properties that include HBO Canada, the Movie Network and the Family Channel. It also has an advertising division that operates billboards across the country.

Bell's owner, BCE Inc., made the announcement Friday morning. Read more »

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Read more at cbc.ca