The Quebec-based company that has offered discount internet access in several provinces is focusing on its proprietary software for internet-service provider (ISP) management and is divesting its ISP unit to Cogeco. Oxio co-founder Marc-André Campagna called Cogeco a good buyer because it’s “a Quebec-based company with a human scale and an entrepreneurial culture.” Terms were not disclosed. (The Logic)
Talking point: Oxio has previously raised $40 million in venture funding for both its retail offering and its operating system, formerly known as OxioOS and now called Gaiia. Cogeco is licensing the software for itself as part of the deal. Larger telcos have been rolling up smaller ones across the country, with Telus recently acquiring Altima and Start.ca, Bell picking up Distributel and EBox, and Rogers (of course) seeking to take over Shaw. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, meanwhile, is promising anew to promote competition in telecom.