- New cell sites and fibre links to support broadband LTE and
HSPA+ mobile services
- Continuous high-speed wireless coverage from Winnipeg to the U.S. border
MORRIS, MB, May 20, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - BCE Inc. (Bell) (TSX,
NYSE: BCE) and Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (MTS) (TSX: MBT)
today announced plans to ensure continuous broadband wireless
coverage along Highway 75, Manitoba's main transportation corridor
linking Winnipeg with the United States border at Emerson.
"Bell MTS will hit the ground running in Manitoba with major new investments in
broadband communications, including the completion of full wireless
coverage along this critical transportation route," said
Wade Oosterman, Group President of
BCE Inc. and Bell Canada responsible
for all Bell wireless, residential and media services. "The gaps in
coverage along this high-traffic corridor have been a concern to
residents, businesses and travellers of all kinds. Building better
communications networks is what Bell does best, and we're proud to
announce this investment to extend our award-winning mobile
technology on Manitoba's Highway 75."
An important enabler of economic development in the province,
Highway 75 is Manitoba's most
important north-south link, and the border crossing at Emerson and Pembina,
North Dakota is one of the busiest in Western Canada. Residents and travelers along
this route currently experience limited coverage along 3 stretches
of Highway 75: between Ste. Agathe
and Morris, between Morris and Highway 14, and between Highway 201
and Emerson.
Three major new Bell MTS wireless cell sites linked by broadband
fibre will close these gaps to ensure continuous 4G LTE and HSPA+
coverage all along the highway. Bell's LTE wireless network is
ranked by multiple independent analysts as Canada's fastest, with
average data speeds double those now available to MTS
customers.
"The Bell MTS commitment to improving Highway 75 wireless
coverage will enhance the safety and efficiency of a strategic
trade and travel artery that is a vital component of Manitoba's trade and transportation network,"
said the Honourable Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba. "Investment in world-class
communications services is critical to Manitoba's ability to compete and prosper in
the national and global economies and we applaud today's commitment
to improved communications services."
Unprecedented broadband investment for Manitoba
Bell announced a 5-year,
$1 billion commitment to expand
broadband wireless and fibre communications services in
Manitoba following the closing of
its acquisition of MTS. Announced May
2, the transaction is valued at approximately $3.9 billion and expected to close in late 2016
or early 2017. The combined company's Manitoba operations will be known as Bell MTS
and Winnipeg becomes headquarters
for Bell's Western Canada team,
which grows to 6,900 people with the addition of MTS's 2,700
employees.
"Completing wireless coverage along Highway 75 is a clear
example of the benefits that come from Bell's scale and resources,
and from the company's proven expertise in deploying outstanding
broadband wireless networks across the country," said Jay Forbes, President and CEO of MTS. "Bell MTS
will be positioned going forward to deliver communications
innovation to more Manitobans in more communities across the
province."
"The Association of Manitoba Municipalities is very pleased to
see the expansion of wireless coverage along the vital Highway 75
corridor," said Chris Goertzen,
Mayor of Steinbach and President
of AMM. "For municipalities, improved cell service assists first
responders with essential communication during emergency
situations, and fosters economic growth in communities across the
province. AMM and MTS have worked together successfully to expand
wireless services across Manitoba,
and we look forward to future investments in the advanced networks
essential to the economic development and safety of Manitoba communities."
Canada's leader in wireless innovation
Bell has earned
a longstanding reputation as the builder of Canada's most advanced
wireless and wireline network infrastructure, and the country's key
developer of communications service innovations. Bell's investment
in Research & Development is by far the highest in the telecom
industry – more than $500 million in
Canadian R&D each year – and Bell operates wireless innovation
centres in Dorval, QC,
Toronto and Mississauga, ON.
Bell is committed to leading the rollout of world-class
broadband wireless capability to more small communities and rural
areas in Manitoba and across
Canada. In 2011, Bell became the first carrier in Canada to offer LTE data speeds in
Toronto and surrounding high tech
innovation centres. Today, Bell offers LTE network coverage to more
than 98% of the Canadian population. In 2015, Bell was first in
Canada to launch the next
generation of mobile LTE, Dual-band LTE Advanced (LTE-A), which is
on track to reach 75% of Canadians this year. Later in 2015, Bell
was also first in all of North
America to deliver Tri-band LTE-A technology, with initial
service availability in Halifax,
Hamilton, Oakville and Toronto.
With speeds up to 260 Mbps (typical average 18-74 Mbps) for
Dual-band and up to 335 Mbps (typical 25-100 Mbps) for Tri-band,
LTE-A supports seamless HD video streaming, videoconferencing and
complex business tools with virtually no wait time.
In addition to significant growth in wireless coverage, speed
and service innovation, Bell's 5-year, $1
billion capital investment plan for Manitoba includes:
- Gigabit Fibe Internet service, which delivers Internet speeds
on average up to 20 times faster than those currently offered to
MTS customers
- Fibe TV, Bell's innovative and fast-growing broadband
television service
- integration of the MTS Winnipeg data centre into Bell's leading
national network of 27 data and cloud computing centres and
connection to the country's most extensive broadband fibre network
footprint.
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 Manitoba Telecom
Services Inc. ("MTS"), the expected timing of, and certain
strategic, operational and financial benefits expected to result
from, the proposed transaction, our network deployment and capital
investment plans in Manitoba, 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 transaction
referred to above and its expected impact, including our network
deployment and capital investment plans in Manitoba. Readers are cautioned that such
information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
The completion and timing of the proposed transaction are
subject to customary closing conditions, termination rights and
other risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, court,
shareholder and regulatory approvals, including approval by the
Competition Bureau, the CRTC, Innovation, Science and Economic
Development Canada, as well as the TSX and NYSE. Accordingly, there
can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will occur, or
that it will occur on the terms and conditions, or at the time,
contemplated in this news release. The proposed transaction could
be modified, restructured or terminated. There can also be no
assurance that the strategic, operational or financial benefits
expected to result from the proposed transaction, as well as our
network deployment and capital investment plans in Manitoba, will be realized.
For additional information on assumptions and risks underlying
certain forward-looking statements made in this news release
relating, in particular, to our network deployment and investment
plans, please consult BCE's 2015 Annual MD&A dated March 3, 2016 (included in the BCE 2015 Annual
Report) and BCE's 2016 First Quarter MD&A dated April 27, 2016, filed by BCE with the Canadian
provincial securities regulatory authorities (available at
Sedar.com) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(available at SEC.gov). These documents are also available at
BCE.ca.
About MTS
At MTS, we're proud to be Manitoba's leading information and
communications technology provider. We're dedicated to delivering a
full suite of services for Manitobans – Internet, Wireless, TV,
Phone Service and Security Systems plus a full suite of Information
Solutions, including Unified Cloud and Managed Services. You can
count on MTS to make connecting your world easy. We're with
you.
We live where we work and actively give back to organizations
that strengthen our communities. Through MTS Future First, we
provide sponsorships, grants and scholarships, value-in-kind
support and volunteer commitment in Manitoba.
MTS Inc. is wholly owned by Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. (TSX:
MBT). For more on MTS' products and services, visit mts.ca. For
investor information, visit mts.ca/aboutus.
About Bell
Canada's largest communications company,
Bell provides consumer, business and government customers with 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. Founded in
Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE:
BCE). To learn more, please visit BCE.ca or Bell.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
Bell Mobility
Jason Laszlo
905-614-6602
jason.laszlo@bell.ca;
MTS
Greg Burch
204-250-9244
media.relations@mts.ca
Investor inquiries:
BCE
Thane Fotopoulos
(514) 870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca
MTS
Brenda McInnes
204-941-6205
investor.relations@mts.ca
SOURCE Bell Canada