Bell 5G ranked as the fastest 5G mobile network, expands to 28 more communities and offers Canada's first 5G roaming in the United States Français
Winner of the Ookla 2021 SpeedtestTM Award as fastest 5G network in the country
MONTRÉAL, July 21, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - With its 5G mobile network ranked as Canada's fastest in the latest network benchmarking report released by Ookla®, Bell today announced Canada's first 5G roaming for the United States as well as further 5G network expansion in Manitoba, Ontario and Québec.
The 2021 Speedtest Awards by Ookla recognized Bell 5G as Canada's fastest 5G network based on Speedtest® results independently collected and analyzed by Ookla for Q1-Q2 2021 and calculated using median 5G download and upload speeds. With this recognition, Bell 5G continues to be Canada's most awarded 5G network, with top rankings from performance analysts including PCMag and GWS.
"Bell 5G delivers unmatched mobile access speeds and capacity, and our accelerated capital investment plan is bringing the country's top-ranked 5G network to more Canadians every day," said Claire Gillies, President, Bell Mobility. "We're thrilled to announce Bell 5G service for 28 additional communities in Manitoba, Ontario and Québec, including Québec City, while also unveiling the first 5G roaming service for Canadians travelling in the United States."
With the easing of travel restrictions, customers across Canada are contemplating visits to the US and looking to bring the speed and power of mobile 5G with them. Bell customers travelling south of the border were the first in Canada with US 5G roaming capability, with access to Bell partner networks covering more than 90% of the US national population with 5G service.
Continued 5G network expansion
Reflecting ongoing progress in Bell's accelerated network plan, the company today announced the rollout of 5G service to the following cities and towns in Manitoba, Ontario and Québec:
- Manitoba: Beausejour, Brokenhead, Hanover, Macdonald, Niverville, Ritchot, Rockwood, Rosser, Ste. Anne, St. Clements, Springfield, Taché, West St. Paul and Whitehead.
- Ontario: Ajax, Frontenac Islands, Lincoln, Milton, Pelham, Thorold, Welland and Whitby.
- Québec: Québec City, Bécancour, Grand-Saint-Esprit, Saguenay, Shawinigan and Wôlinak.
"I cannot thank Bell enough for continuing to innovate and invest in the infrastructure that is necessary not only for the residents and businesses in the City of Thorold, but all of Ontario and Canada," said Terry Ugulini, Mayor of Thorold. "This will ensure that we continue to have a competitive edge in a technologically advanced world where speed and reliable service will help us to Build Back Better! The City of Thorold welcomes this investment in award winning 5G technology that is going to support businesses and consumers, as well as, influence future growth and resiliency within our community."
Earlier this year, Bell announced it will invest $1.7 billion in capital over the next 2 years – in addition to approximately $4 billion it typically invests annually in network expansion and enhancement – to accelerate the rollout of 5G, fibre and rural networks. This is in support of Canada's recovery from the COVID crisis while driving our country's continued leadership in broadband infrastructure investment and innovation. Bell expects to reach 70% of the Canadian population with 5G service by the end of the year.
Bell Athletes Connect supports Team Canada
Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, Bell announced continued 5G support for Canadian Olympians through the Bell Athletes Connect program in partnership with Samsung and the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC). The Bell Athletes Connect program provides athletes with a Samsung S21 5G smartphone and mobile service to communicate with their coaches, support team, friends and family while they focus on training. Bell Athletes Connect, the only corporate program of its kind in North America, has supported more than 35,000 athletes over 24 years.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, 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 with a commitment to the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. 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:
Nathan Gibson
905-614-9596
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@Bell_News
Investor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
514-870-4619
[email protected]
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 as well as the benefits expected to result therefrom, including our two-year increased capital investment program to accelerate the rollout of our 5G, fibre and rural networks, 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 capital investment and network deployment plans and the benefits expected to result therefrom are subject to risks and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that our capital investment and network deployment plans will be completed or that the benefits expected to result therefrom will be realized. 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 Inc.'s (BCE) 2020 Annual MD&A dated March 4, 2021, BCE's 2021 First Quarter MD&A dated April 28, 2021 and BCE's news release dated April 29, 2021, announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 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). These documents are also available at BCE.ca.
SOURCE Bell Canada
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