- 3rd spectrum acquisition in 18 months as Bell
delivers the world's best wireless networks to Canadian consumers
and businesses
- Bell investing $20 billion in
capital by the end of 2020 to propel Canada's digital economy
MONTRÉAL, May 12, 2015 /CNW
Telbec/ - Bell today announced it has acquired additional 2500 MHz
wireless spectrum as part of Industry Canada's most recent auction,
supplementing existing holdings of these important airwaves to
enable further expansion of advanced mobile data networks and
services to more Canadians.
By acquiring the additional 243M MHz per population (MHz-POP)
for $29 million, or $0.12 per -MHz-POP, Bell has increased its total
2500 MHz spectrum holdings nationwide to 1,731M MHz POP for a
blended cost of $0.10
per-MHz-POP.
Like previously acquired 700 MHz and AWS-3 spectrum, 2500 MHz
airwaves support Bell's ongoing roll out of 4G LTE (Fourth
Generation Long Term Evolution) mobile services to Canadian
consumers and businesses in urban and rural markets across the
country. Bell's 4G LTE network currently reaches 91% of Canadians
and will reach 98% by the end of 2015.
"Bell is investing in the digital infrastructure necessary to
deliver the world's best wireless broadband services to cities,
small towns and rural communities across Canada," said Blaik Kirby, President of Bell Mobility. "This
latest spectrum acquisition is another example of how Bell is
propelling Canada's digital economy with the best network
technologies and innovative data services like mobile TV and mobile
banking."
Bell will use the additional 2500 MHz spectrum to further
support the company's 4G LTE services in eastern and western
Ontario, Québec, Atlantic Canada, Alberta, British
Columbia and the Territories.
Bell accelerating wireless in Canada
Bell's ongoing strategic
transformation is built on industry-leading investment in
communications growth services, including wireless, Internet, TV
and media. Since 2006, Bell has invested approximately $7 billion to acquire new mobile 4G spectrum and
build advanced wireless networks in every region of Canada.
On April 30, 2015, Bell announced
it will keep its momentum rolling forward with plans to invest
$20 billion in capital from 2015 to
the end of 2020 to expand both its broadband 4G LTE mobile network
and broadband fibre networks supporting next-generation Fibe TV and
Internet services. Bell invests more in Canadian communications
infrastructure and service innovation than any other communications
provider, ensuring Canada remains competitive at a global level in
next-generation broadband communications.
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, out of home, and digital media. Bell is wholly
owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For more
information, please visit Bell.ca.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health
with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, like Clara's Big
Ride for Bell Let's Talk and Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant
Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace
initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Media inquiries:
Jacqueline Michelis
613 785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News
Investor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
514 870-4619
thane.fotopoulas@bell.ca
SOURCE Bell Canada