Bell launches Canada's largest 5G wireless network

Bell launches Canada's largest 5G wireless network

• Initial 5G service now in Montréal, GTA, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver
• Enhanced mobile data speeds on the largest selection of 5G smartphones available
• Research partnership with Western University supports Canada's 5G innovation ecosystem

MONTRÉAL, June 11, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced the launch of Canada's largest 5G wireless network, offering unprecedented mobile data speeds and Canada's broadest selection of 5G-capable smartphones.

Now available in Montréal, the Greater Toronto Area, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, Bell's initial 5G service will expand to more centres across the country as the next-generation wireless technology grows in speed and capacity, enabling unprecedented connectivity and an infinite range of new consumer and business mobile applications in coming years. To accelerate 5G innovation in Canada, Bell has also partnered with Western University to create an advanced 5G research centre, including the deployment of a campus-wide 5G network.

"Bell has built the country's best networks since 1880 with a goal to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world, and we're proud to take the next step forward with the country's largest 5G network," said Mirko Bibic, President and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada. "As the world rapidly embraces the Fifth Generation of wireless, Bell is ready to ensure Canada remains at the forefront of 5G innovation and accessibility. The COVID-19 crisis has clearly underscored the critical importance of high-quality networks to keeping consumers, businesses and governments connected and informed, and Bell remains committed to building the best as we take wireless into the next generation."

Championing the 5G customer experience
"With 5G coverage that is 6 times greater than the next largest network, the biggest selection of 5G-capable devices available and faster data speeds than even our award-winning Advanced LTE network, Bell Mobility has once again raised the bar in Canadian wireless," said Claire Gillies, President of Bell Mobility. "As the scale, speed and capabilities of our next-generation network continue to grow, Bell Mobility will champion the 5G customer experience in every part of our business." 

Bell 5G customers in Montréal, the GTA, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver will have access to enhanced mobile data speeds and faster response times, as well as seamless connections to Bell's national LTE network – which reaches 99% of the Canadian population and already offers data speeds that independent analysts have found rank with the fastest in the world.

Bell offers Canada's largest selection of 5G-enabled smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S20 5G series, LG V60 ThinQ 5G Dual Screen and Motorola Edge+, all for as low as $0 upfront with Bell SmartPay. 5G access is $10 a month on any Bell Mobility postpaid plan and is currently offered as a free bonus until March 31, 2021. For more about Bell 5G, please visit Bell.ca/5G.

Enabling Canada's 5G innovation
The high capacity and near instant connections offered by mobile 5G will support a virtually unlimited range of new consumer and business applications in coming years, including virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence and machine learning, connected vehicles, smart cities and enhanced rural access, and unprecedented IoT opportunities for business and government enterprises.

The first company to trial mobile 5G technology in Canada, Bell is working with a range of leading global and domestic 5G partners, including Ericsson and Nokia, to accelerate Canada's 5G innovation ecosystem. This includes continued funding of R&D at Canadian institutions, such as the partnership announced today between Western University and Bell to create a new academic centre for research into 5G applications across health, agriculture, transportation, manufacturing and other sectors. On the international stage, Bell is a leader in the setting of global 5G standards with our participation in the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) consortium and Third Generation Partnership Program (3GPP).

Bell invests more in Canadian communications R&D than any other company, part of our approximately $4 billion capital investment annually in the nation's wireless and fibre network infrastructure. These investments have ensured Canadians already enjoy the fastest wireless connections in the world – independent studies have found Canada's 4G LTE networks rank with the fastest globally, far outpacing the United States and even rivalling the data speeds of initial 5G networks already available in countries like South Korea.

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:

Nathan Gibson
905-614-9596
nathan.gibson@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 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