Bell completes takeover of MTS

More than 10 months after it was first announced, Bell's takeover of Manitoba Telecom Services is complete.

The $3.9-billion deal will see Bell pick up approximately 710,000 wireless, internet and internet protocol TV customers inManitoba, representing an increase of five per cent in its total broadband service subscribers.

The newly launched Bell MTS will maintain current MTS wireless price plans for at least 12 months from Friday, Bell said in a release.

• Provinces with the cheapest cellphones and why the rest of the country doesn't get them
• Cellphone use surges but so do bills

Bell MTS also said plans to roll out a five-year,$1-billionbroadband network expansion plan in Manitoba's urban areas, traffic corridors, rural locations and remote communities.The company also said Winnipegwill also serve as Bell's headquarters inWestern Canada.

MTS CEOJay Forbes is departing the new organization, with Bell MTS to be led byDan McKeen.

McKeen was most recently Bell's vice-chair of Bell Aliant. He was appointed to that post in 2014 to lead the integration of Bell Aliant into Bell's national operations.

With the completion of the takeover,Bell said it will update its 2017 financial guidance targets to reflect the acquisition when it reports its first-quarter operating and financial results onApril 26.