- Bell to assume all operations of Alberta's SuperNet broadband network serving commercial and government customers throughout the province
- Acquisition of Axia NetMedia ensures service continuity for Albertans who rely on SuperNet
EDMONTON, July 3, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - BCE Inc. (Bell) (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) today announced it has been awarded a multi-year contract to operate Alberta SuperNet, the government-led initiative providing broadband network connectivity to schools, hospitals, libraries, municipal and indigenous offices, government facilities, enterprise business customers and Internet service providers in 429 urban and rural communities throughout the province.
Bell currently owns and operates the SuperNet network assets serving 27 urban centres in Alberta, and will now also operate the network elements connecting a total of 402 communities in rural Alberta.
"As Canada's broadband communications leader and a longstanding partner in the SuperNet initiative, Bell is ready to provide SuperNet users throughout Alberta with world-class broadband connections," said Tom Little, President of Bell Business Markets. "We thank the government for their continued confidence in Bell, and look forward to delivering the next generation of SuperNet connectivity to support Alberta's continued economic growth and prosperity."
Bell also today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Axia NetMedia Corporation, the Calgary-based operator of SuperNet's rural assets. The acquisition ensures the continuation of SuperNet services for rural customers while enhancing connectivity opportunities for Alberta and national enterprise customers doing business throughout the province. Terms of the transaction, expected to be complete by this fall, will not be disclosed.
"We look forward to welcoming the Axia team to Bell as we integrate our operations to deliver the highest levels of service to Alberta's SuperNet users," said Dan McKeen, Bell's Vice Chair, Western Canada. "Combining the scale and resources of Bell with the proven operational strengths of both companies will support the delivery of seamless broadband service for all SuperNet users today and into the future."
In operation since 2005, SuperNet was built to ensure broadband network connectivity for Alberta public organizations and business users. The network is also leveraged by hundreds of private service providers to deliver Internet and other services directly to customers throughout the province.
SuperNet consists of more than 13,000 kilometres of fibre and 2,000 kilometres of high-speed wireless links, connecting more than 3,300 government services and public institutions including over 1,950 learning centres, 650 government locations, 300 healthcare facilities, 300 libraries and 90 Alberta municipalities, with more schools being built and connected each year. Currently, 43 First Nations in the Treaty 6, 7 and 8 regions and 8 Métis settlements have SuperNet connectivity within or adjacent to their communities.
About Bell
Founded in 1880, Bell is the country's oldest and largest telecommunications provider and continues to lead the way in Canadian communications with a strategy of unparalleled investment in broadband network and service innovation.
Bell invests more than $4 billion each year in Canada's next-generation network infrastructure, delivering world-class fibre connections to the home and business, Canada's Best National Mobile Network, and the country's largest network of 28 state-of-the-art data hosting and cloud computing centres. To learn more, please visit BCE.ca or Bell.ca.
Earlier this month, PCMag announced that Bell Internet service is the fastest in Canada by far, with Bell outscoring its nearest rival by more than 30% based on approximately 12,000 Internet speed tests conducted by PCMag between September 2017 and June 2018.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day, and provides significant Bell funding of mental health care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Caution concerning forward-looking statements
Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements. These statements include, without limitation, statements relating to the proposed acquisition by BCE Inc. ("Bell") of Axia NetMedia Corporation ("Axia"), the expected timing of, and certain benefits expected to result from, such proposed transaction, 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, by their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize 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 Canadian 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. Forward-looking statements are provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the proposed transaction referred to above and its expected impact. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
The completion and timing of the proposed transaction are subject to customary closing conditions, termination rights and other risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the proposed transaction will occur, or that it will occur on the terms and conditions, or at the time, contemplated in this news release. The proposed transaction could be modified, restructured or terminated. There can also be no assurance that the benefits expected to result from the proposed transaction will be realized.
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SOURCE Bell Canada
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