Bell expands support of Canadian athletes with Bell Athletes Connect

Mobile communications program now provides 2,000 high-performance athletes with service on Canada's Best Network and mobile devices courtesy of Samsung

TORONTO, Nov. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced the launch of an expanded Bell Athletes Connect program providing approximately 2,000 of Canada's high-performance athletes with enhanced mobile connectivity on Canada's Best Network.

"Athletes from across Canada have shared with us how important mobile connectivity is to them, their coaches, and their families and friends," said George Cope, President and CEO of Bell Canada and BCE, speaking at the Canadian Olympic Committee Congress in Toronto today. "Bell is proud to provide Canada's premier athletes with new mobile devices, voice and data services that will ensure they stay closely connected with all those most important to them."

Since 1997, the Bell Athletes Connect program has partnered with AthletesCAN to provide mobile connectivity services to Canada's senior national team athletes competing at the Olympic, Paralympic and senior World Championship levels.

Bell has expanded the program in partnership with Presenting Sponsor Samsung, which will provide all of Canada's approximately 2,000 eligible athletes with a new Samsung mobile device. An enhanced Bell service package includes significant airtime, North American roaming and long distance, and an extensive data plan.

"Our athletes are ambassadors for our companies. As the exclusive device sponsor for this program, Samsung is providing these athletes with the facility to communicate in so many different ways," said Samsung Canada President, Benjamin Lee. "From Facebook and Twitter to instant messaging and traditional voice calling, the new program puts the best mobile tools in athletes' hands."

"The introduction of a new data plan from Bell for the Athletes Connect Program offered through AthletesCAN shows a great deal of foresight and the ability to react to athletes' evolving needs as they happen," says 2010 Olympic Skeleton Champion Jon Montgomery. "With the innovative capabilities of today's smartphones, our opportunities as athletes to stay connected to the things that matter most in our lives, including friends and loved ones, through mediums like social media and email, makes sure we stay grounded and connected on a personal level so we can focus on being our best when it matters most... game day. Thanks to Bell, AthletesCAN and Samsung for being a big part of our success."

"I am not aware of any other country that has a program that provides this advantage to its athletes," added Canadian Olympic Committee CEO Jean R. Dupré. "Bell, together with Samsung, is helping approximately 2,000 Canadian medal-hopefuls to stay connected to the people they care about the most."

About Bell
Headquartered in Montréal, Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell Satellite TV and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business Markets IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services.

The Bell Mental Health Initiative is a multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let's Talk anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit bce.ca/mentalhealth. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For information on Bell products and services, please visit www.bell.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit www.bce.ca.

For further information:

Jason Laszlo
Bell Media Relations
[phone]
[email protected]