Enables rapid expansion of advanced LTE broadband mobile
services to rural communities, small towns and Canada's North, and
enhanced coverage in urban centres
MONTREAL,
Feb. 19, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell
today announced that it has secured the right to acquire
significant 700 MHz spectrum assets in every provincial and
territorial market in Industry Canada's competitive spectrum
auction. Bell will acquire 31 licences for $566 million for 480M MHz-POP of nationwide 700
MHz spectrum, in line with financial community expectations,
bringing Bell's total holdings across various spectrum bands to
more than 4,200M MHz-POP nationally. Bell will fund its spectrum
licensing payments to the federal government from available sources
of cash.
"Bell's accelerating success in wireless is built on the world's
fastest, most advanced mobile technology, LTE, which is powering
next-generation broadband services like mobile TV and an infinite
range of new mobile apps and media for consumers and business
users," said Wade Oosterman,
President of Bell Mobility. "Bell already offers LTE service to 82%
of the national population, and this new 700 MHz spectrum will help
us take the network further: To towns, rural locations and remote
communities across the country including Canada's North."
Bell's LTE buildout plan will bring advanced mobile broadband
services to more than 98% of Canada's population, a national
coverage footprint that will rival any in the world. The 2014 LTE
build includes hundreds of Canadian communities - places like
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia;
Balmoral, New Brunswick;
Chibougamau, Québec; Dryden, Ontario; Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories; and
Marsh Lake, Yukon - as well as enhancement of urban and
suburban LTE coverage. Working in partnership with Northwestel to
execute the Modernization Plan for the North, Bell is committed to
delivering advanced LTE to Canada's territories in 2014.
Bell launched its first 4G mobile broadband network, HSPA+, in
advance of the Vancouver 2010
Winter Olympic Games and it has since grown to cover more than 98%
of the Canadian population. Bell quickly followed by launching
super high speed LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology first in
major Canadian cities like Toronto
in September 2011, and the
world-class broadband network now covers 82% of the population. For
more information about Bell's network leadership, please visit
Bell.ca/Network.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing
consumers and business customers with wireless, TV, Internet, home
phone and business communications services. Bell Media is Canada's
premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio
and digital media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc.
(TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit Bell.ca.
Bell Let's Talk
The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a national
charitable program that promotes Canadian mental health across
Canada with the Bell Let's Talk Day anti-stigma campaign and
significant funding for community care, research and workplace best
practices. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
SOURCE Bell Canada