Another mediation session between Rogers and Canada’s competition watchdog over the telecom giant’s proposed $26-billion takeover of Shaw Communications has failed, despite weeks of talks.

The federal Competition Bureau wants to block the deal, as it argues it would lead to worse service and higher prices for consumers.

Rogers, Shaw and Quebecor released a joint press release on Thursday evening stating that they were “disappointed” by the mediation’s outcome. “The bureau’s unwillingness to meaningfully engage unduly delays lower wireless prices for Canadian consumers,” the release said, adding that it was “harmful” to competition.

The companies said they remained committed to completing the deal.

In its own statement, the Competition Bureau said it was aware of the press release and disagreed with its contents, except for the fact that a solution had not been released.

The companies will now have to take part in a hearing before the Competition Tribunal, beginning Nov. 7.

Meanwhile, in a news conference late Tuesday, federal Minister of Innovation François-Philippe Champagne – who must also approve the merger – said that he had new terms that Rogers and Shaw must meet if the companies want to get their merger completed, adding that he had officially denied the first form of the deal the companies proposed.

He stated that if the companies wanted his approval he had two “basic expectations,” one being that the new owner of Shaw’s Freedom Mobile must be “in it for the long run.” Should that end up being Quebecor, Champagne said the company should hold on to Freedom’s wireless spectrum for at least ten years, and keep its prices at par with what they are in Quebec, which is typically around 20% lower than the rest of the country.

This is in line with what the Competition Bureau has already stated must be done for the deal to go through, saying the sale of Freedom Mobile is a key factor in order to not give the merged Rogers-Shaw undue control over the wireless market. However, the current terms of the deal to sell to Quebecor have yet to address its concerns.

Champagne has also said that he will wait until the Competition Bureau completes its process to deliver a final decision.