Rogers CEO Apologizes, Blames Network Failure on Maintenance (1)

Rogers Communications Inc.’snew chief executive officer apologized and offered both compensation and an explanation to customers after a prolonged network failure left millions in Canada without phone or internet service, knocked businesses offline and affected payment systems.

Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said the situation was “unacceptable” and that he had conveyed his frustration directly to Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri. Champagne’s department has the final call on whether to approve Rogers’ proposed C$20 billion ($15.5 billion) acquisition of rival Shaw Communications Inc.

Rogers said Saturday afternoon that services had been restored and its “network and systems are close ...