This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a
description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see
the section entitled "Caution Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements" later in this release.
MONTRÉAL, May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/
- BCE Inc. (Bell) (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) today announced that it
will divest one-third of the postpaid wireless subscribers of
Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS) (TSX: MBT) to TELUS Corp.
(TSX: T, NYSE: TU) following the completion of Bell's acquisition
of MTS announced earlier today. As part of the transaction, Bell
will also assign one-third of MTS dealer locations in Manitoba to TELUS.
"This transaction with TELUS enhances wireless competition to
the benefit of Manitobans while reducing the cost of our
acquisition of MTS," said George
Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada.
The Bell-TELUS transaction is subject to regulatory approvals
and customary closing conditions. The Bell-MTS transaction is not
conditional on completion of the Bell-TELUS transaction.
Caution concerning forward-looking statements
Certain
statements made in this news release are forward-looking
statements, including, but not limited to, statements relating to
the proposed acquisition by BCE Inc. ("BCE") of all of the issued
and outstanding common shares of MTS Inc. ("MTS") (the "MTS
Transaction"), the proposed divestiture by BCE to TELUS Corporation
("TELUS") of a certain portion of MTS's postpaid wireless
subscribers and the proposed assignment by BCE to TELUS of a
certain portion of MTS's dealer locations (the "TELUS Transaction"
and, together with the MTS Transaction, the "Proposed
Transactions"), our business outlook, objectives, plans and
strategic priorities, and other statements that are not historical
facts. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the
words assumption, goal, guidance, objective, outlook, project,
strategy, target and other similar expressions or future or
conditional verbs such as aim, anticipate, believe, could, expect,
intend, may, plan, seek, should, strive and will. All such
forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour"
provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to
inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several
assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the
possibility that actual results or events could differ materially
from our expectations expressed in or implied by such
forward-looking statements. As a result, we cannot guarantee that
any forward-looking statement will materialize and we caution you
against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The
forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe
our expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly,
are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by
Canadian securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this
news release, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are provided herein for
the purpose of giving information about the Proposed Transactions
and their expected impact. Readers are cautioned that such
information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
The completion and timing of the Proposed Transactions are
subject to customary closing conditions, termination rights and
other risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the
relevant regulatory approvals. The MTS Transaction is, in addition,
subject to court and shareholder approval. Accordingly, there can
be no assurance that the Proposed Transactions will occur, or that
they will occur on the terms and conditions, or at the time,
contemplated by the parties. The Proposed Transactions could be
modified, restructured or terminated.
About BCE
Canada's largest communications company, BCE
provides a comprehensive and innovative suite of broadband
wireless, TV, Internet and business communication services from
Bell Canada and Bell Aliant. Bell
Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in
television, radio, out of home and digital media. To learn more,
please visit BCE.ca.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health
with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like 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:
Jean Charles Robillard
(514) 870-4739
jean_charles.robillard@bell.ca
Investor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
(514) 870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca
SOURCE BCE Inc.