- Transaction underscores Bell's focus on investment in networks
and service innovation
- Bell Business Markets becomes first Equinix Platinum Partner in
Canada
MONTRÉAL, June 1, 2020 /CNW
Telbec/ - BCE Inc. (Bell; (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE)) today
announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell 25
data centres at 13 sites to global interconnection and data centre
company Equinix, Inc. in an all-cash transaction valued at Cdn
$1.04 billion.
"This transaction reinforces Bell's strategy to focus investment
on the network infrastructure, content and services necessary to
advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world.
Equinix, with its expanding platform of data centres here in
Canada and worldwide, is
well-positioned to maximize the opportunities these facilities
represent for Canadian businesses in an increasingly global and
interconnected data sector," said Mirko
Bibic, President and CEO of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada.
"Our strategic redeployment of capital further underscores
Bell's commitment to champion customer experience by leading
investment in communications networks and services, especially as
Canada manages and recovers from the COVID-19 crisis," said Mr.
Bibic. "As part of ensuring a seamless customer experience for our
enterprise clients, we are also pleased to announce today a
partnership between Bell Business Markets and the
Equinix Platform of global data centre services."
Equinix is acquiring 13 sites representing 25 Bell data
centre facilities in 8 cities across Canada; Bell will continue to
own and operate 5 other data centres that are located in its
network central offices in Calgary, Halifax, Saint
John, St. John's and
Toronto. The transaction is
expected to close in the second half of 2020 subject to customary
closing conditions including regulatory approval.
Equinix's Platinum Partner in Canada
As part of the transaction, Bell
Business Markets becomes the first Equinix Platinum Partner in
Canada, which will provide Bell
enterprise clients with full access to the international scale of
Equinix's advanced integrated network and cloud solutions.
"Our new partnership with Equinix, built on the strength of
Bell's network, cloud service innovation and experienced
professional services team, combined with Equinix's global platform
of interconnected data centres and business ecosystem, will deliver
a superior customer experience for our Canadian enterprise
clients," said Tom Little, President
of Bell Business Markets. "We look forward to working together to
enhance the reach of our customers' growing global digital
operations while ensuring Canada remains a world leader in digital
transformation."
About Bell
Canada's largest communications company
with more than 22 million consumer and business connections, Bell
provides advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business
communication services throughout the country. 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 Bell.ca or 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 leadership initiatives throughout the
country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain
statements made in this news release are forward-looking
statements, including statements relating to our proposed sale of
25 data centres, the expected timing and completion thereof,
certain strategic benefits expected to result from such
transaction, certain of our plans and strategies, and other
statements that are not historical facts. 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 are
subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on
several assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual
results or events could differ materially from our expectations.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance or
events, 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 applicable 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. The
timing and completion of the proposed transaction are subject to
closing conditions, termination rights and other risks and
uncertainties including, without limitation, regulatory approval.
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 benefits expected
to result from the proposed transaction will be realized.
Media inquiries:
Nathan Gibson
905-614-9596
nathan.gibson@bell.ca
@Bell_News
Investor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
514-870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca
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SOURCE Bell Canada