Bell Canada (BCE) has entered into an agreemnt to acquire GLENTEL, the Canadian-based multi-carrier mobile products distributor for approximately $670 million. The transaction enhances Bell's strategy to accelerate wireless and improve customer service in a competitive wireless marketplace, while providing additional value to GLENTEL shareholders.
GLENTEL operates 494 retail locations across Canada offering wireless products and services from Bell Mobility, Chatr, Fido, Rogers Wireless, SaskTel and Virgin Mobile, and plans to continue offering products from multiple carriers following the acquisition. Outside Canada, GLENTEL owns, operates, and franchises approximately 735 retail locations in the United States, as well as 147 points of sale in Australia and the Philippines.
George Cope, President and CEO of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada
GLENTEL is a remarkable Canadian success story, and over the past 25 years has been influential in driving the widespread adoption of mobile services in Canada, the United States and elsewhere internationally. As our longstanding partner, the GLENTEL team shares Bell's commitment to wireless growth and service innovation, and we are proud to welcome them. GLENTEL's national reach, deep product knowledge, and great customer service and sales execution are key to our strategy to accelerate wireless.
Tom Skidmore, GLENTEL President and CEO
As GLENTEL considered its future opportunities, it was essential that our partner share in GLENTEL's core values of Quality, Service and Integrity. Bell, who has been a long time significant contributor to GLENTEL's success, is that partner. We are delighted that GLENTEL, together with Bell, will continue to deliver legendary customer service to its customers, and believe that this new relationship will provide additional value to our shareholders and employees.
Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility
There are clear growth opportunities ahead in Canadian wireless. This includes the significantly increased number of mobile customers with two or three year service contracts who will be eligible to renew their plans and change carriers over the next two years, a result of the federal wireless code of conduct implemented in 2013. Bell is ready to compete for their business. Supporting Bell's commitment to deliver improved customer service, this transaction secures continued access for consumers to the convenient, high-quality customer experience offered by GLENTEL retail brands.
