FCC approves Bell, Ziply merger

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved BCE Inc.’s C$5 billion acquisition of Ziply Fiber, clearing the way for the Canadian telecom giant to expand its reach into the American Northwest. In a notice released Monday, the FCC gave the thumbs up on all applications, including a foreign ownership petition, for Bell to take control of Ziply’s parent company, Northwest Fiber Holdco. The deal was first announced in November 2024. The commission found the transaction would be in the public interest and that it does not expect any harm to competition. Bell and Ziply operate in separate geographic markets, the regulator acknowledged, with no overlap in services. Ziply, which has operations in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, is a recipient of some conditional funding from U.S. connectivity programs. According to the FCC, Bell has agreed to assume “all of Ziply Fiber’s buildout and service obligations associated with all prior and future Universal Service Fund (USF) support, regardless of any preexisting conditions that could impact its ability to comply with such obligations.” The commission highlighted statements from the applicants that there will also be no negative impact on Ziply Fiber’s current customers, noting that they explained that “‘Bell Canada intends for the Ziply Fiber business to continue as its own operating entity, maintaining its existing company management and business plan,’ and the proposed transaction will be seamless, transparent, and ‘will not result in any disruptions to Ziply Fiber customers or business partners.’” The deal is conditional on compliance with a national security agreement filed by the companies with U.S. executive branch agencies. The FCC also gave Bell an exemption from the rules around foreign ownership. “We find, upon consideration of the record, that the proposed transfers will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity,” the FCC wrote. “We also find that the public interest would not be served by prohibiting the foreign equity and voting interests in Northwest Fiber, the controlling U.S. parent…, in excess of the 25 per cent statutory benchmarks…” Following the merger, Bell intends to rename Ziply’s parent company to Northwest Fiber Ultimate Holdings, or Northwest Ultimate for short. “Upon closing, Northwest Ultimate will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCE Holding and will be the direct and indirect parent entity of ,” the commission stated. news@thewirereport.ca

FCC approves Bell, Ziply merger

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By Wire Report Staff
| July 15, 2025

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FCC approves Bell, Ziply merger

Regulatory | By Wire Report Staff | July 15, 2025

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