Bell Canada selects Ericsson as 5G network equipment supplier

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
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@Bell_News

Investor inquiries:

Thane Fotopoulos
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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