Dec. 19, 2006: BCE Telesat Manitoba Tel Banks Trusts

BCE Sale Of Telesat Makes MTS A Target , "Telecommunications: World Satellite Giant: Selloff long Telegraphed, But Sale Price Surprise" . Peter Nowak, Financial Post, December 19, 2006

www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=
a24ee417-1efa-4483-8e61-c900985a4f68

Montreal-based BCE did not say what it would do with the proceeds from the sale, but some industry observers said the company is now in a prime position to buy Winnipeg-based MTS. With the proceeds from the Telesat sale, BCE could easily afford a purchase, and with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's recent announcement that income trusts can double in size through equity, MTS's assets look more appealing to BCE subsidiary Bell Aliant.

"The odds of BCE in combination with Bell Aliant taking out Manitoba Tel have increased quite significantly," an analyst said. "All the stars are aligned for that." [....]

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