MONTRÉAL, Nov. 30,
2023 /CNW/ - Bell today announced it is securing
additional spectrum licenses, acquired through the federal
government's 3800 MHz auction, to continue bringing super-fast and
reliable 5G+ wireless service to more people and businesses
across Canada.
Key details about Bell's 3800 MHz wireless spectrum
acquisition:
- Secured 1.77 billion MHz-Pop for $518
million ($0.29 per
MHz-Pop).
- Acquired 939 spectrum licenses, providing Bell with 100 MHz of
3500 MHz and 3800 MHz cross-band spectrum across approximately 99
per cent of Canada's population, which provides more people and
businesses nationwide with better digital experiences.
Key details about Bell's 5G+ spectrum position:
- Bell to have access to an industry-leading 3.5 billion MHz-Pop
of 5G+ spectrum (combining the 3500 MHz and 3800 MHz spectrum
bands).
- Bell acquired its 5G+ spectrum at a total cost of $2.78 billion ($0.79 per MHz-Pop), the lowest among national
wireless carriers.
By operating Bell's 5G+ network on 3800 MHz wireless spectrum,
complemented with the existing 3500 MHz spectrum, Bell will deliver
faster wireless speeds for things like downloading and streaming
high-resolution videos, as well as uploading content to share on
social media or for cloud photo backups. Bell's 5G+ spectrum will
also allow for greater capacity to manage more devices that connect
to Bell's wireless network and provide lower latency, which means
real-time communication and immersive experiences can take place
with lightning-fast response time.
"Bell 5G+ is important for Canada's digital future as
businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations can leverage our
network to develop innovations that enhance the lives of Canadians,
such as in artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality,
cloud gaming, massive IoT and industrial transformation. As part of
our transformation from a traditional telco to a tech-services and
digital media leader, Bell will continue to deliver cutting-edge
technology that provides better experiences for customers and
powers more innovation in Canada."
- Mirko
Bibic, President and Chief Executive Officer, BCE and
Bell Canada
Bell's 5G network is available to 85 per cent of Canadians, and
51 per cent of Canada's population has access to Bell's 5G+ network
with full deployment happening over the next few years.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications
company,1 providing advanced broadband
wireless, TV, Internet, media and business communication services
throughout the country. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly
owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or
BCE.ca.
Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better
today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic
prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk
initiative, which 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
media@bell.ca
Investor inquiries
Richard
Bengian
richard.bengian@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
plans and anticipated capital expenditures as well as the benefits
expected to result therefrom, the benefits expected to result from
the acquisition of 3800 MHz spectrum licenses, 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 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. For additional information on assumptions and risks
underlying certain of our forward-looking statements made in this
news release, please consult BCE Inc.'s (BCE) 2022 Annual MD&A
dated March 2, 2023, BCE's 2023 First, Second and Third
Quarter MD&As dated May 3, 2023,
August 2, 2023 and November 1, 2023 and BCE's news release
dated November 2, 2023 announcing its financial results
for the third quarter of 2023, filed by BCE with the Canadian
provincial securities regulatory authorities (available
at Sedarplus.ca) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (available at SEC.gov). These documents
are also available at BCE.ca.
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1 Based on
total revenue and total combined customer connections.
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SOURCE Bell Canada