Canadian telco Rogers has confirmed it plans to sell its data centers as it looks to pay off debts accrued during its merger with Shaw Communications.

The company’s CFO Glenn Brandt has revealed that it is looking to raise C$1 billion ($729m) through “asset sales, predominantly from real estate.”

Brandt told analysts on an earnings call, held after its Q1 financial results were released on Wednesday, that the data centers mainly provide third party services, so selling them will not impact the company’s core wireless business.

He did not say how many of the 12 Rogers data centers would be sold. All of the facilities are based in Canada, with three in Ottowa. DCD has contacted the company for more information.

In March it was reported that Rogers was considering the sale of nine of its data centers, with details of the facilities distributed to interested parties. At the time it was said they would be marketed as “a distinct business.”

The company took on significant debt as part of its C$20 billion ($14.7bn) acquisition of Shaw Communications, which closed in March 2023. Completion of the deal was delayed amid a series of regulatory concerns over the impact it would have on the market.

Since the merger was completed, Rogers has announced plans to sell C$3 billion ($2.19 billion) in bond offerings to repay short-term debt and other borrowings.

On its website, the company says it leverages its data centers “to develop custom IT infrastructure strategies specific to our customers’ needs.”

The company’s Q1 results show net income fell 50 percent to C$256 million ($187m). Operating expenses were up 23 percent, including C$142 million ($103m) in costs relating to the Shaw deal.