Edward Rogers, Chairman of Rogers Communications, says today’s merger announcement brings together two iconic Canadian family-founded businesses. An agreement has been announced to combine Rogers Communications with Shaw Communications is a deal worth $26 billion. Rogers has Canada’s largest 5G network. Shaw has cable, fibre to home and wireless networks.

Rogers officials say the business merger gives them the ability to scale and make 5G a reality for all Canadians. And the two companies say once the transaction is complete, $2.5 billion will be invested in 5G networks across Western Canada which is projected to create up to 3,000 net new jobs.

Rogers is also committing to establishing a new $1 billion Rogers Rural and Indigenous Connectivity Fund to connect rural, remote and Indigenous communities in Western Canada.