MONTRÉAL, June 2, 2020 /CNW
Telbec/ - Bell Canada today
announced that Ericsson will provide radio access network (RAN)
equipment for Bell's national 5G wireless network, including for
the unique Wireless Home Internet service Bell has developed to
bring high-speed Internet access to rural Canada. An existing
supplier of 4G LTE wireless and other technology to Bell, Ericsson
has to date signed 92 commercial 5G agreements with telecom
providers worldwide and is the first company to enable commercial
5G networks on 4 continents.
"Bell's 5G strategy supports our goal to advance how Canadians
connect with each other and the world, and Ericsson's innovative 5G
network products and experience on the global stage will be key to
our rollout of this game-changing mobile technology across Canada,"
said Mirko Bibic, President and CEO
of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada.
"Investment and scale in leading-edge networks is critical to
national competitiveness, economic growth and resiliency,
highlighted by the important role that Bell's wireless, fibre and
broadcast networks have played in Canada's response to COVID-19.
With the support of Ericsson and our other 5G partners, Bell looks
forward to ensuring Canada remains at the forefront of the next
generation of mobile communications."
Niklas Heuveldop, President and Head of Ericsson North America, said: "We are proud to
have earned Bell's trust to be selected as one of their key
partners and significantly expand our existing relationship to
accelerate the transformation of their network with 5G mobile and
fixed wireless technology. With our industry-leading 5G product
portfolio, Bell will be able to provide Canadian consumers,
enterprises and the public sector with innovative experiences and
services whether they're on the move or at home, regardless if
they're in urban or rural areas."
Bell 5G: Building on wireless leadership
While Bell
has focused fully on ensuring Canadians would remain connected and
informed throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the company is poised to
launch initial 5G as the economy opens up.
As with previous wireless and wireline network deployments, Bell
is working with multiple equipment suppliers for its 5G rollout.
This multi-vendor strategy has been key to delivering Canada's best
national mobile network with Bell 4G LTE, now available in every
province and territory to more than 99% of the national population.
Independent studies have found that Canadian 4G LTE networks like
Bell's rank with the fastest in the world – and even rival data
speeds offered by initial 5G networks already available in
countries like South Korea.
Bell's initial 5G service will offer faster top-end data speeds
than LTE at launch, and capable smartphones are already available
from Bell including the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G series, LG V60 ThinQ
5G Dual Screen and Motorola Edge+. Bell 5G will continue to
grow in speed, capacity and coverage as additional 5G wireless
spectrum becomes available, including in the federal government's
3.5 GHz spectrum auction later this year. Ericsson will also
support Bell's rollout of 5G-enhanced Wireless Home
Internet service to more small towns and rural locations in
future.
"Ericsson plays an important role in enabling Bell's
award-winning LTE network and we're pleased to grow our partnership
into 5G mobile and fixed wireless technology," said Stephen Howe, Bell's Chief Technology Officer.
"5G's high-capacity and near-instant connections will enable
next-generation applications like mobile 4K video and immersive augmented reality,
connected vehicles and industrial IoT automation on a massive
scale, and our plan is to deliver the benefits of the 5G wireless
revolution to cities and rural locations alike."
About Ericsson
Ericsson enables communications service
providers to capture the full value of connectivity. The company's
portfolio spans Networks, Digital Services, Managed Services, and
Emerging Business and is designed to help our customers go digital,
increase efficiency and find new revenue streams. Ericsson's
investments in innovation have delivered the benefits of telephony
and mobile broadband to billions of people around the world. The
Ericsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and on Nasdaq New
York. www.ericsson.com
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.
Media inquiries:
Caroline Audet
514-391-9794
caroline.audet@bell.ca
@Bell_News
Investor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
514-870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain
statements made in this news release are forward-looking
statements, including statements relating to our network deployment
and capital investment plans, our objectives, plans and strategic
priorities, and other statements that are not historical facts. All
such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe
harbor" 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. Our
network deployment and capital investment plans and the benefits
expected to result therefrom are subject to risks and, accordingly,
there can be no assurance that our network deployment plans will be
completed or that the benefits expected to result therefrom will be
realized. For additional information on assumptions and risks
underlying certain of our forward-looking statements made in this
news release, please consult BCE's 2020 First Quarter MD&A
dated May 6, 2020, 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). This document is also
available at BCE.ca.
SOURCE Bell Canada