The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that striking a $40-a-share deal to acquire Manitoba Telecom Services was the easy part. The Globe's Christine Dobby writes that BCE must now sell the country on it. The two companies announced the $3.1-billion transaction (valued at $3.9-billion, including the assumption of debt) almost three weeks ago, sparking a public debate over the merits of BCE boosting investment in Manitoba on the one hand versus the demise of wireless competition in the province and threat of higher prices on the other. The federal Competition Bureau is also seeking public input on the deal and Manitoba's neighbour Saskatchewan has asked for an independent risk analysis on what the deal could mean for SaskTel, that province's government-owned telephone company. As BCE navigates the regulatory approval process -- in addition to the competition watchdog, it must get the nod from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission -- it has now enlisted the support of the Manitoba government to bolster its case for the deal. BCE said Friday, "Building better communications networks is what Bell does best."