When George Cope takes over Friday as CEO of Bell Canada parent BCE, expect to see a lot of changes. "BCE has a number of key decisions it needs to make, including a decision on wireless technology, the build of IPTV (Internet television), the loss of a material number of residential wireline customers to cable, and potential asset sales," says Desjardins Securities analyst Joseph MacKay.
The $52 billion dollar leveraged buyout of BCE--the largest corporate buyout in Canadian history--is expected to close in December. Among BCE's possible moves under its new leadership: Selling its 50 percent ownership in Virgin Mobile, its 43 percent stake in rural wireline company Bell Aliant and its satellite TV operation, Bell ExpressVu. Experts say the restructuring is expected to be extensive.
For more:
- See this Canadian Press story
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