Bell to bring all-fibre connections to more than 30,000 new
residences and business locations by September 2022 in partnership with the
governments of Canada and Québec
MONTRÉAL, March 22, 2021 /CNW
Telbec/ - Bell announced today that it will roll out
high-speed Internet services to several unserved areas of Québec in
partnership with the governments of Canada and Québec as part
of the "Operation High Speed" initiative. Announced today by Prime
Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier
François Legault, the Bell projects will provide 100% fibre
Internet connections to 30,908 homes and businesses in nearly 100
Québec communities.
"Bell applauds this government commitment to connecting all
Quebecers, with this cooperation between Québec and the federal
government representing a clear and practical example of the
leadership needed to accelerate broadband connectivity for
everyone," said Karine Moses, Bell's
Vice Chair, Québec. "The success of this ambitious project will
depend on cooperation and rigorous execution by all players, and
Bell is very proud to help lead the way in this historic
undertaking. Building the best networks is at the heart of our
strategy and we are committed to advancing the way Quebecers
communicate with each other and the world."
Last week, Bell reaffirmed its plan to respond quickly to
requests for access to its communications infrastructure in
anticipation of an increase in the volume of requests over the
coming months, underscoring its focus on accelerating the
deployment of high-speed Internet to all Quebecers by September 2022.
In February, Bell also announced that it was advancing fibre,
wireless and rural network rollouts with at least $1 billion in accelerated capital investment over
the next 2 years, the largest such project in Bell's history. This
will enable Bell to reach up to a total of 6.9 million urban and
rural locations in Canada with
high-speed Internet by the end of 2021, while also doubling Bell
mobile 5G population coverage.
More details on the new connected communities will be provided
in regional announcements over the coming weeks.
About Bell
Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is
Canada's largest communications company with more than 22 million
residential, business and wireless customer connections across
every province and territory. With a goal to advance how Canadians
connect with each other and the world, Bell provides the most
extensive broadband wireless and wireline networks, innovative
mobile, TV, Internet and business communication services, and the
country's premier television, radio, out of home and digital media
brands. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). To learn
more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
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 business outlook, 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
are subject to risks and, accordingly, there can be no assurance
that such plans will be completed or that they will be completed by
the expected date. The value of the planned investments assumes our
ability to access or generate the necessary sources of capital.
However, there can be no certainty that the required sources of
capital will be available with the result that the actual
investment made by us could materially differ from current
expectations. For additional information on assumptions and risks
underlying certain of our forward-looking statements made in this
news release, please consult BCE's 2020 annual MD&A dated
March 4 2021, 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