BCE Inc. (BCE) operates as a largest communications company. The company provides residential, business and wholesale customers with a wide range of solutions for all their communications needs.
Segments
The company operate through: Bell Communication and Technology Services (Bell CTS) and Bell Media segments.
Bell CTS provides a wide range of communication products and services to consumer, business and government customers across Canada. Wireless products and services include mobile data an...
BCE Inc. (BCE) operates as a largest communications company. The company provides residential, business and wholesale customers with a wide range of solutions for all their communications needs.
Segments
The company operate through: Bell Communication and Technology Services (Bell CTS) and Bell Media segments.
Bell CTS provides a wide range of communication products and services to consumer, business and government customers across Canada. Wireless products and services include mobile data and voice plans, streaming services, and devices and are available nationally. Wireline products and services comprise data (including Internet access, Internet protocol television (IPTV), cloud-based services and business solutions), voice, and other communication services and products, which are available to the company’s residential, small and medium-sized business and large enterprise customers primarily in Ontario, Québec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba, while satellite TV service and connectivity to business customers are available nationally across Canada. In addition, this segment includes the company’s wholesale business, which buys and sells local telephone, long distance, data and other services from or to resellers and other carriers as well as the results of operations of its national consumer electronics retailer, The Source (Bell) Electronics Inc. (The Source). In 2024, Bell Canada announced a strategic partnership with Best Buy Canada to operate The Source consumer electronics retail stores in Canada, which have been rebranded as Best Buy Express and offer the latest in consumer electronics from Best Buy along with exclusive telecommunications services from Bell.
Bell Media segment provides a portfolio of assets in premium video, audio, out-of-home (OOH) advertising, and digital media to customers nationally across Canada. Revenues are derived primarily from advertising and subscriber fees.
In addition to the company’s operating segments, it also holds investments in a number of other assets, including:
a 37.5% indirect equity interest in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE);
a 50% indirect equity interest in Glentel Inc. (Glentel);
a 20.2% indirect equity interest in entities that operate the Montréal Canadiens Hockey Club, evenko and the Bell Centre in Montréal, Québec, as well as Place Bell in Laval, Québec.
Strategy
The company’s strategy is centred on its disciplined focus and execution of six strategic imperatives that position it to deliver continued success in a fast-changing communications marketplace.
Technologically advanced wireless networks and services
Through its Bell CTS segment, the company provides wireless services over technologically advanced wireless networks that are available to virtually all Canadians. The company offers a broad range of wireless voice and data communication products and services to residential and business customers through its Bell brand, as well as its Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile brands.
The company focuses on growing its market share of national operators’ postpaid mobile phone net customer activations, growing its prepaid mobile phone subscriber base, improving sales execution and customer retention, and introducing new devices and data services. With its 5G and 5G+ wireless networks, fourth-generation (4G) long-term evolution (LTE) wireless network, LTE Advanced (LTE-A) network and its high-speed packet access plus (HSPA+) network, the company is able to offer one of the broadest ranges of choice in wireless smartphones in Canada, along with extensive North American and international coverage. Bell also offers a LTE, Category M1 (LTE-M) network, which is a subset of its LTE network supporting low-power Internet of Things (IoT) applications with enhanced coverage, longer device battery life and enabling lower costs for IoT devices connecting to Bell’s national network.
Through its 5G and 5G+ wireless service, Bell offers enhanced mobile data speeds and the latest 5G and 5G+-capable smartphones. Bell is working with multiple equipment suppliers for its 5G rollout, including Nokia Corporation (Nokia) and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Ericsson). In 2021, Bell acquired significant additional mid-band, flexible-use 3500 megahertz (MHz) wireless spectrum in the auction by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and on May 19, 2023, Bell obtained the right to use, through subordination, certain of Xplore Inc.’s 3500 MHz spectrum licences in Quebec after receiving approval from ISED. On November 30, 2023, Bell announced having secured the right to acquire 939 wireless spectrum licences in the recently completed 3800 MHz spectrum auction, covering 1.77 billion MHz per population (MHz-Pop) for $518 million. Essential to Canada’s ongoing transition to 5G communications, these high-capacity airwaves support Bell’s delivery of enhanced 5G digital experiences to Canadian consumers and businesses in urban, rural and remote communities.
Advancing 5G and IoT solutions
Bell is working with a range of global and domestic 5G partners, including Ericsson and Nokia, to accelerate Canada’s 5G innovation ecosystem. This includes continued investment in research and development (R&D) at Canadian institutions, such as a partnership between Western University and Bell creating an advanced centre for research into 5G applications across health (including mental health), transportation, education and other sectors. In 2022, Bell also launched a private mobile network at the Centre for Port Innovation, Engagement and Research (The PIER), an innovation hub in Halifax focused on developing innovative solutions for supply chain and logistics in the transportation industry, enabling IoT solutions that help support business-critical functions with real-time data monitoring and reporting, as well as supporting partners as they work to develop commercial opportunities seeking to benefit Canadian and global companies and their customers. On the international stage, Bell is involved in the setting of global 5G standards with its participation in the Next Generation Mobile Networks consortium and Third Generation Partnership Program.
On September 25, 2023, the company announced that Bell, Verizon, Vodafone and independent software vendor Matsuko successfully conducted the first live transatlantic collaborative meeting connecting multiple holographic people in Canada, the U.S. and the United Kingdom using 5G and multi-access edge computing (MEC) technology and Matsuko’s real-time software. Interacting with holograms of humans rather than avatars can provide a more personal experience for many applications such as remote healthcare, collaborative working and education. The call was enabled by the speed of 5G combined with the quick response times of MEC, which moves the necessary computing closer to the edge of the network. Through its active participation in the 5G Future Forum industry body, Bell continues to support the developer community to access 5G MEC technologies and for their solutions to take advantage of Bell’s 5G network in Canada, and to interoperate globally.
On February 25, 2025, Bell Canada and Nokia announced a significant expansion of their 5G network infrastructure partnership, marking a major step forward in deploying cloud radio access network (RAN) and paving the way for future open RAN advancements. This multi-year contract extension will see Bell deploy Nokia’s commercial cloud RAN solution, built on a foundation of Red Hat OpenShift and supported by Dell Technologies infrastructure. Nokia will supply equipment from its industry-leading, energy-efficient 5G AirScale portfolio to support Bell’s Ccoud RAN deployments, ensuring feature and performance consistency throughout the network evolution. This collaboration leverages the power of cloud RAN to deliver immediate benefits to Bell’s network. The cloud-native architecture, powered by Red Hat OpenShift, provides enhanced scalability and agility, enabling Bell to rapidly adapt its network to meet fluctuating customer demands and swiftly introduce new services. This agility is further enhanced by the deployment of Dell PowerEdge servers at cell sites and data centres, providing the processing power and reliability needed for demanding 5G workloads.
Bell also provides a number of solutions in the IoT sector, which enables the interconnection of a range of devices and applications that send and receive data. Bell further offers global connectivity solutions for its IoT platforms and applications, which offer customers worldwide network access and the ability to manage all of their international devices remotely from a single web platform. Bell’s lineup of innovative IoT applications includes connected telematics services, including security, safety, diagnostics and infotainment, for vehicles; fuel tank monitoring and water management solutions; fleet management solutions connecting commercial vehicles to the Internet to provide web-based analytics to manage the fleet; connected laptop solutions, enabling LTE connectivity directly from select LTE-enabled laptops; managed IoT security services that offer businesses, smart cities and other organizations employing IoT solutions a fully managed solution to detect and protect organizations from evolving cyber threats; and new solutions made available in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as real-time occupancy monitoring, digital signage and sanitizer kiosks.
Next-generation high-speed Internet and TV services
The company’s strategic imperative to build the best networks focuses on the expansion of its fibre network to more homes and business locations. As of December 31, 2024, its fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) footprint covered more than 7.8 million homes and businesses in Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba. The company’s fibre network enables the delivery of Bell’s next-generation fibre-optic high-speed Internet service marketed as Fibe Internet, offering symmetrical download and upload speeds of up to 3 gigabits per second (Gbps) with FTTP through its Gigabit Fibe 3.0 service, as well as download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) with fibre-to-the node (FTTN). The company’s network also enables the delivery of its Internet service marketed as Virgin Plus Internet, offering download speeds of up to 1Gbps.
On July 24, 2024, Bell announced the launch of its new Bell Business Wi-Fi App, designed to empower small businesses in Ontario and Québec with an enhanced Wi-Fi experience that combines improved security, customizable guest Wi-Fi, employee and customer data insights, and simplified network management. The Bell Business Wi-Fi App is available for small business owners in Ontario and Québec with Bell pure fibre Internet.
As Bell extends its direct fibre links in urban and suburban centres, the company is also delivering broadband speeds to smaller towns and rural locations with its Wireless Home Internet fixed wireless service, which is based on 5G-capable WTTP technology. In 2021, the company completed the buildout of its Wireless Home Internet service in smaller towns and rural communities across Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba, reaching its target of 1 million locations one year ahead of schedule. Bell delivers Wireless Home Internet service with download speeds of up to 50 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps (50/10) to a majority of customers. In August 2021, an agreement with Casa Systems, Inc. was announced for the upgrade of a portion of Bell’s WTTP network to 5G to further boost speed and capacity for Wireless Home Internet customers in rural regions, which was completed in June 2023.
The company’s fibre network also enables the delivery of Bell’s IPTV services, namely Fibe TV, the Fibe TV app and Virgin Plus TV. Bell’s Fibe TV service, built on an IPTV platform, offers a wide range of flexible programming options and innovative features to customers in Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba, such as: the Fibe TV wireless receiver, which enables customers to enjoy the Fibe experience on up to 10 additional TVs anywhere in the home (five in Manitoba) without the hassle of running cable through the house; the Restart and Look Back features, enabling customers to rewind and watch TV shows already in progress from the beginning and up to 30 hours after they started; and the Trending feature, which lists the five most-watched shows in both English and French among Fibe TV customers at any given time and allows customers to switch to watch live or restart from the beginning. Fibe TV further allows access to Crave, Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube directly from customer TV receivers, providing a seamless experience.
In 2024, the next generation of Fibe TV was launched in Ontario, Québec and the Atlantic region, leveraging Google Android TV technology with enhanced search capabilities and voice remote. This service offers customers a consistent viewing experience on all screens with the Fibe TV app, including access to more than 500 live TV channels, on-demand content and over 10,000 apps from the Google Play Store, including Crave, Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV and YouTube. Viewers can more easily find the content they want to watch, and explore new and exciting entertainment with a voice remote powered by Google Assistant and intuitive universal search capabilities that will find content across Fibe TV and supported subscribed streaming services. With added cloud personal video recorder (PVR) capabilities, viewers can record an unlimited number of shows simultaneously to watch at their convenience.
The Fibe TV app is available to customers in Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba, and brings the rich Fibe TV viewing experience to tablets, smartphones, laptops, Bell Streamer, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast and a variety of Android TV devices, with access to more than 500 live and on-demand channels at home or on the go, which allows customers to seamlessly transfer a channel being viewed from a mobile device to a TV, or resume what is being watched on TV on a mobile device. In addition, Fibe customers can download their personal video recordings with the Fibe TV app to watch on iOS and Android mobile devices without Wi-Fi network access, and customers can pause and rewind live TV on any device with the Fibe TV app.
In addition, the company offers the Fibe TV app service in Ontario and Quebec as a standalone app-based live TV streaming service that offers live and on-demand programming. With no traditional TV set-top box required, the Fibe TV app offers up to 500 live and on-demand channels on tablets, smartphones, laptops, Bell Streamer, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast and a variety of Android TV devices. The standalone Fibe TV app offers access to two TV streams at a time and customers can add individual channels to build their own packages. Like Bell’s Fibe TV service, the standalone Fibe TV app operates as a licensed broadcast service on the privately managed Bell Fibe broadband network for in-home viewing, and on mobile or Wi-Fi networks outside the home.
Virgin Plus TV is an app-based service that does not require a traditional TV set-top box or installation and that lets members in Ontario and Québec watch live and on-demand TV shows and live sports on any screen they want as it works on virtually all devices – iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, laptops, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Google Chromecast. The Virgin Plus TV app lets members watch two streams at once, pause and rewind live TV, resume on-demand programs where they left off, and track all the top trending shows.
In addition, through Bell Streamer, an all-in-one 4K High Dynamic Range streaming device powered by Android TV, the company offers customers in Ontario and Quebec all-in-one access to the Fibe TV app, support for all major streaming services and access to thousands of apps on Google Play.
In November 2024, Bell Canada expanded its TV offering with 11 new free, ad-supported television (FAST) channels, available nationwide on the Bell TV and Virgin Plus TV apps. These channels are available with all TV packages and are seamlessly integrated into the customer’s TV guide, appearing alongside their favourite live channels.
Innovation in communications technology
Technological advancement plays a significant role in the success of its business. The company invests in Canadian innovation and has spent $573 million in R&D capital expenditures in 2024. The company’s investments in R&D enable the company to continue providing its customers with innovative products and services and to adopt new technologies that better support its own operations and its strategic imperatives to champion the customer experience and drive growth with innovative services. The company’s deployment of new and innovative networks and services is a direct result of its investment in R&D.
Over the past decades, Bell has invested in developing data analytics capabilities and AI applications in multiple areas of its operations. Providing advanced technological solutions allows the company to better differentiate its products and services offerings and to seek to provide greater value to its customers. As part of Bell’s objective to remain at the forefront of technology and innovation in communications services, and encourage the development of, and expertise in, new emerging technologies in Canada, the company partners with a range of global and domestic organizations.
In 2022, the company announced a five-year strategic engagement with the Vector Institute, an independent, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to research in the field of AI, and announced a three-year strategic partnership with Montreal innovation centre Centech to provide tech entrepreneurs with access to the latest in Bell 5G, IoT and MEC technologies.
Bell also introduced Bell Ventures in 2022, its corporate venture capital initiative to encourage development of early-stage and growth companies that harness the power of Bell’s networks to drive growth and adoption of advanced technological solutions. Building on Bell’s history of innovation and investments, Bell Ventures is a natural extension of Bell’s purpose to advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world. Bell Ventures invests in early-stage and growth companies that provide advanced technology solutions seeking to further differentiate Bell’s 5G and fibre networks and deliver solutions for its customers, including in the areas of network, security, IoT, robotics, telematics, clean technology, data monetization and AI.
Since 2022, the company has also announced a number of significant milestones in its strategic cloud and technology partnerships. In February 2022, Bell announced its deployment of Google Distributed Cloud Edge in its network, enabling more efficiency, reliability and scale while also driving new business opportunities. This is the world’s first implementation of core network functions on Google Distributed Cloud Edge, a fully managed product that brings Google Cloud’s infrastructure and services closer to where data is being generated and consumed. This advancement builds on Bell and Google Cloud’s strategic partnership, announced in 2021, to combine Bell’s 5G network leadership with Google Cloud’s expertise in multi-cloud, data analytics and AI, and to enable Bell to drive operational efficiencies and deliver richer customer experiences. On February 26, 2025, Bell Canada announced its network AI Ops solution built on Google Cloud, which has been successfully deployed and is already revolutionizing how it detects, analyzes, and presents network issues. This AI-driven approach has significantly improved Bell’s mean time to resolution, enabling proactive network management that enhances reliability and optimizes the customer experience. In addition, in 2023, Bell announced the launch of the first public MEC with AWS Wavelength in Canada. Building on Bell’s agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS), announced in 2021, together the two companies are deploying AWS Wavelength Zones throughout the country at the edge of Bell’s 5G network, starting in Toronto. Bell Public MEC with AWS Wavelength embeds AWS compute and storage services at the edge of the Bell 5G network, closer to mobile and connected devices where data is generated and consumed. This enables software developers and businesses to take full advantage of the high speed and low latency of Bell’s 5G network and the cloud with AWS to build innovative, low-latency solutions that leverage real-time visual data processing, AR/VR, AI and machine learning, advanced robotics and much more.
On March 29, 2023, Bell announced a partnership with Palo Alto Networks to better support Canadian businesses managing their cloud security with the launch of two new cloud-native application protection platform (CNAPP) solutions, Cloud Security Posture Assessment and Cloud Security Posture Protection. These cybersecurity solutions identify threats to enterprise data in the cloud and provide managed services to protect data across complex hybrid, multi-cloud environments. On December 12, 2024, Bell announced a strategic partnership with Palo Alto Networks that brings together Bell’s expertise in managed and professional services with Palo Alto Networks’ industry-leading, AI-powered cybersecurity platforms. Building upon the customer success and service development initiatives launched in 2023, Bell will offer a full suite of services across Palo Alto Networks’ three platforms, delivering comprehensive protection against evolving cyber threats for customers in Canada.
In addition, on June 1, 2023, Bell acquired FX Innovation, a Montréal-based provider of cloud-focused managed and professional services and workflow automation solutions for business clients. This acquisition combines FX Innovation’s agility, start-up culture, and cloud services expertise with Bell’s next-generation fibre and 5G networks, resources, and scale to deliver leading-edge technology solutions for Canadian businesses. The acquisition aims to position Bell as a technology services leader for its enterprise customers. On November 29, 2023, Bell and ServiceNow, a digital workflow company, announced a collaboration to launch Service Bridge capabilities on the ServiceNow platform, leveraging FX Innovation’s deep industry expertise to elevate the end-to-end experience for Bell customers with customized solutions and automation capabilities. On July 18, 2024, Bell and ServiceNow announced a multi-year strategic agreement to accelerate Bell’s transformation to meet the growing customer demand for tech services and digital media. The renewed commitment makes Bell one of ServiceNow’s largest communications customers with a first-of-its-kind collaboration in Canada. Bell will expand its use of the ServiceNow platform, supporting its own digital transformation while continuing to offer ServiceNow implementation expertise to support the digital transformation of its Bell Business Markets customers.
On October 9, 2024, Bell announced the acquisition by FX Innovation of HGC Technologies (HGC), an Elite ServiceNow partner. HGC strengthens FX Innovation’s expertise in process automation, cloud technologies, and digital transformation, bringing strengths in business application development, HR and customer service delivery, and a strong North American talent base to support growth. HGC’s existing U.S. customer base aligns with FX Innovation’s strategic plans for expansion into the U.S. market, providing immediate access to a new and growing customer segment.
On February 1, 2024, Bell announced a partnership with SentinelOne, Inc. (SentinelOne), a global leader in AI-powered security, to provide extensive data protection services for Bell’s enterprise customers.
On February 2, 2024, Bell announced an 18-month collaborative project with Mila, a research institute in AI, to apply deep learning neural network algorithms to Bell’s systems and data. Mila researchers will work alongside Bell’s Machine Learning and AI teams to build on Bell’s previous investments by using deep learning neural network techniques to identify opportunities to improve business performance and customer experience. By advancing its understanding of deep learning AI techniques, Bell seeks to continue to enhance its customer experience and accelerate its operational transformation.
On February 6, 2024, Bell announced a collaboration with Microsoft to expand its hybrid work solutions to help Canadian enterprises modernize their communications platforms with the launch of Bell Operator Connect, pairing Bell’s high-quality voice network and Microsoft Teams. Bell is also advancing its company-wide digital transformation and workforce modernization in selecting Microsoft 365 as its cloud collaboration solution.
On November 19, 2024, Bell expanded its collaboration with Microsoft by launching services for Microsoft Teams Phone Mobile to offer Canadian businesses a flexible, secure, high-performance communication solution. This innovative mobile-first solution integrates mobile numbers with Teams, enabling seamless calling and collaboration. Teams Phone Mobile provides a consistent user experience, simplifying business communication and boosting productivity and efficiency.
On April 9, 2024, Bell announced the availability of Google Cloud Contact Center AI (CCAI) from Bell for Canadian businesses – the first fully AI solution for Bell enterprise and mid-market customers. Google Cloud’s CCAI from Bell is a managed solution supported by professional services expertise that enables intelligent customer and agent experience leveraging generative AI-infused technology. Providing rich conversational experiences and analytics, Google CCAI from Bell offers scalability and flexibility that can be added to existing contact centre environments and to cloud contact centres of any size.
On June 13, 2024, Bell and Mila, the world’s largest academic research centre for deep learning, announced a new partnership to develop cutting-edge AI solutions, building on the 18-month collaborative project Mila and Bell entered into earlier in 2024 to apply deep learning neural network algorithms to Bell’s environment. This collaboration is driven by a shared vision to enhance customer experience, optimize business operations and cultivate a vibrant AI ecosystem within Québec and across Canada. In line with Bell’s significant investments in AI, this partnership reinforces Bell’s business transformation, harnessing Mila’s groundbreaking research to drive transformative improvements across Bell’s operations. From data analysis and operational efficiency to Internet-based applications, Mila’s expertise will accelerate advancements that will enhance the customer experience.
On July 9, 2024, Bell announced that it had acquired technical services companies Stratejm and CloudKettle Inc., adding professional and managed services expertise in cybersecurity and Salesforce digital workflow automation to its existing capabilities. These acquisitions will advance Bell’s strategy to be the leader in supporting medium and large organizations’ digital transformations and automation through cloud services. Combined with Bell’s pure fibre and 5G networks, enterprises will benefit from an exceptional and seamless AI-powered end-to-end customer experience.
On July 25, 2024, Bell and Hyundai Motor Group (Hyundai) announced a multi-year extension of its strategic partnership to provide Canadian customers with advanced in-car connected infotainment services, raising the bar for in-vehicle experiences. Through Bell’s IoT connectivity, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis customers in Canada will benefit from fast and reliable access to infotainment features, with the partnership also exploring additional services such as over-the-air software updates, music/video streaming, casual gaming and eventually Wi-Fi hotspots, providing seamless connectivity on the go.
On September 17, 2024, Bell and MacLean, the world’s largest Canadian-based manufacturer of underground mining equipment, announced a technology collaboration to better support the evolving needs of mining customers. The innovations being introduced will improve equipment interoperability - the way in which machines exchange and make use of information - enhancing safety for workers and driving sustainable practices and reduced vehicle emissions.
On October 8, 2024, Ax-C, a new hub for innovative entrepreneurship set to open in 2025, announced a multi-year partnership with Bell, Google, Desjardins, and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ.
Media Assets
Bell Media’s range of video and radio content enhances the execution of its strategic imperatives by leveraging its significant network investments, delivering compelling content across all screens and platforms, and enabling the company to maximize strategic and operating synergies, including the efficiency of its content and advertising spend.
Bell Media’s assets in video, audio, OOH and digital platforms are a key competitive advantage, as described below:
The company owns and operates 35 conventional TV stations, including CTV, Canada’s #1 network for 23 consecutive years, #1 Canadian advertising-based video-on-demand (AVOD) platform CTV.ca and leading digital news destination CTVNews.ca, and the French-language Noovo network in Quebec, including its AVOD platform and digital news destination Noovo.info.
The company owns and operates 24 specialty channels, including TSN, Canada’s sports leader, and RDS, the top French-language sports network.
The company owns and operates five direct-to-consumer (DTC) services, including Crave, the exclusive home of HBO and Max Originals in Canada, STARZ, TSN, TSN+ and RDS.
The company owns Crave, a bilingual premium video streaming service that features a broad catalogue of sought-after content including box-office hits, Emmy Award-winning programming, and original Canadian productions, as well as thousands of hours of exclusive French-language content. Crave is available directly to all Canadians with access to the Internet, and through participating service providers. STARZ remains available through participating service providers and directly to consumers as a separate add-on. Crave extended a long-term licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery that sees the service continuing to be the home of HBO and Max Originals, as well as new cable series, library television series, and new theatrically released Warner Bros. films. Crave is the most distributed Canadian-owned premium video streaming service.
The company owns 100 licensed radio stations in 58 markets across Canada, all available through iHeartRadio.ca and the iHeartRadio Canada app alongside an extensive catalogue of podcasts. On February 8, 2024, Bell Media announced its intent to divest 45 of its radio stations to seven buyers, subject to Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) review and other closing conditions. The CRTC has currently approved the transfer of ownership and control of 13 of 45 stations.
The company owns Astral, a leader among Canada’s OOH advertising companies with strategically located advertising faces spanning across the country in over 50 markets. Astral offers six product lines: outdoor advertising, lifestyle networks, street furniture, airport, large digital format and transit. In 2024, Bell Media completed its acquisition of OUTFRONT Media Inc.’s Canadian OOH media business, OUTEDGE Media Canada (OUTEDGE).
The company lead Canadian TV media competitors in the digital landscape in the number of unique visitors, page views and total page minutes.
Part of Noovo’s multi-platform news division, its noovo.info website offers exclusive original features dedicated entirely to news.
Through CTV’s all-in-one digital video platform and streaming from CTV.ca and the CTV app on smartphones, Smart TVs and other connected devices, audiences can get even more value from their TV subscriptions all in one place, with livestreams and on-demand viewing of programming from CTV Comedy Channel, CTV Drama Channel, CTV Sci-Fi Channel, CTV Life Channel, CTV Wild, CTV Nature, CTV Speed, CTV2, USA Network, Oxygen True Crime and E!, as well as Canada’s #1 lineup from CTV. The platform provides access for subscribers of CTV-branded entertainment channels to stream premium content from those channels all at no additional cost and with one simple login, as well as digital channels CTV Throwback and CTV Movies, available with no subscription or sign-in required.
The company continues to provide live and on-demand access to content from its specialty networks, BNN Bloomberg, TSN, RDS and other brands in news, sports and entertainment.
Through TSN+, a DTC streaming product available on TSN.ca and the TSN app, Canadians have access to marquee live games and events that are incremental to the sports content delivered across TSN’s platforms, as well as live streaming-only coverage from a multitude of marquee sports properties.
The company’s competitive strengths also include its broad reach across Canada, its ability to deliver top programming for conventional, specialty and DTC and streaming services, its constant drive to provide the most engaging and interactive experience for viewers, and its ability to serve the needs of advertisers across multiple platforms.
Marketing and distribution channels
Bell CTS
The company makes use of limited-time promotional offers featuring discounted rate plans, special rates on wireless handsets and TV receivers, as well as other incentives, to stimulate new customer acquisition and retain existing customers or to respond to competitive actions in its markets.
The company focuses its marketing efforts on a coordinated program of video, print, audio, Internet, outdoor signage, direct mail and point-of-sale media promotions. The company engages in mass market advertising in order to maintain its brand and support direct and indirect distribution channels. Coordinated marketing efforts throughout its service area ensure that its marketing message is presented consistently across all its markets. Promoting the Bell brand is complemented by its other brand marketing efforts, reinforcing awareness of all its services and capitalizing on the size and breadth of its customer base across all product lines.
The Bell brands play a key role in product positioning. The company’s branding is straightforward and directly supports its strategy of delivering a better customer experience at every level. In July 2021, Virgin Mobile Canada officially rebranded to Virgin Plus, a new name and a new identity that reflect the company’s evolving service offerings beyond mobility. In addition, on July 25, 2023, Virgin Plus unveiled a fresh new look with more affordable service offerings, along with a new brand campaign and updated member benefits. The service offerings include the introduction of unlimited nationwide rate plans and access to 5G at an affordable price with no zones for members across Canada. These new offerings join the lineup of Virgin Plus service offerings including high-speed Internet and app-based TV service for members in Ontario and Quebec.
The company offers unlimited plans featuring unlimited data access with no overage charges. The company also offers SmartPay device financing plans that let Bell Mobility customers buy their new smartphones with 24 interest-free installments separate from their service plan, and the company similarly offers Sweet Pay device financing plans for Virgin Plus customers. In addition, the company offers Connect Everything plans that provide a way to link all of a customer’s Bell devices with a pool of data to share across smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and other devices, such as wireless trackers, security cameras and vehicles with Bell Connected Car. In January 2022, the company introduced new mobile unlimited Ultimate plans to make the most of 5G with more data at maximum speeds, international messaging, high-definition video quality and hotspot capability. The company also continue to offer discounts on the price of wireless handsets in exchange for a contractual commitment from a subscriber, a practice also used by other Canadian wireless operators.
The company also offers eligible customers the convenience of One Bill for Internet, TV, home phone, wireless and smart home services. The company delivers its products and services to residential wireless and wireline customers through:
approximately 1,000 Bell, Virgin Plus, Lucky Mobile, Staples and Best Buy Express locations and/or branded dealers;
retailers such as Walmart, Loblaws and Glentel’s WIRELESSWAVE, Tbooth wireless and WIRELESS etc., as well as a network of regional and independent retailers in all regions;
call centre representatives;
its websites, including bell.ca, virginplus.ca and luckymobile.ca;
door-to-door sales representatives.
On January 31, 2023, Bell and Staples Canada ULC (Staples) announced a multi-year exclusive agreement to sell Bell, Virgin Plus and Lucky Mobile wireless and wireline services through Staples stores across Canada for consumers and small businesses. In addition, Bell and Staples partner to sell Bell wireless and wireline services direct to medium-sized businesses through the Staples Professional sales team, backed by Bell’s advanced communications expertise.
On May 3, 2023, Bell announced a multi-year strategic agreement with Air Canada, which includes premier sponsorship of its free in-flight messaging for Aeroplan members and the distribution of complimentary subscriber identity module (SIM) cards on board to enable newcomers and visitors arriving in Canada to activate a wireless SIM while still in the air.
In 2024, Bell Canada announced a strategic partnership with Best Buy Canada to operate 167 The Source consumer electronics retail stores in Canada, which have been rebranded as Best Buy Express and offer the latest in consumer electronics from Best Buy along with exclusive telecommunications services from Bell. The first Best Buy Express was opened in Guildford Town Centre, Surrey, British Columbia on June 26, 2024. In addition, in 2024, Bell wound down The Source head office and back office operations, as well as closed the remaining 107 The Source stores.
On January 8, 2025, Bell and Corus Entertainment announced the expansion of a strategic, multi-year agreement for Corus networks to be distributed on Bell Fibe TV and Bell Satellite TV, including Corus’ premier lifestyle networks, Flavour Network and Home Network.
For small and medium-sized business customers, the company’s small and medium business team offers a wide range of wireline and wireless services, including Business Fibe Internet, Bell Total Connect, Business Phone and TV, and IoT solutions, along with many other communications solutions, all designed for companies. All solutions are sold through dedicated call centre representatives and its bell.ca website, as well as its retail network and door-to-door sales representatives.
Communications solutions for large enterprise customers, including its wireless services, are delivered by its business markets team, and its products and services are sold through dedicated sales representatives, certified resellers and competitive bids. By combining products and services, including professional services, into fully managed, end-to-end information and technology solutions, the company has been successful in providing large enterprise customers with complex communications products and services. The company continues to differentiate itself in the marketplace by enhancing its customer service levels and offering solutions designed to provide superior service, performance, availability and security. The company delivers expertise in key solution areas, including Internet, private networks, voice and unified communications, cloud solutions, security solutions, cloud-based contact centre, IoT and MEC.
The company’s wholesale business communications products and services are delivered by its wholesale team. They are sold through its dedicated sales representatives, web portals and call centres.
Bell Media
Bell Media’s TV, OOH and digital advertising customer base consists of large advertising agencies, which place advertisements with Bell Media on behalf of their customers, and advertisers who buy directly. Bell Media also has contracts with a variety of distribution partners, under which subscription fees for TV and video products are earned. Bell Media’s radio broadcast customer base comprises both advertising agencies and businesses in local markets.
Bell Media’s radio, TV and video products are delivered to Canadians through a combination of over-the-air broadcast transmission, partnerships with traditional and digital distributors, and Bell Media’s own digital platforms.
Crave is available through participating TV providers across Canada, which provide the added opportunity to access the Crave linear channels on traditional set-top boxes, as well as via on-demand channels, through the Crave app and online at Crave.ca. Crave, TSN and RDS are also available directly via the Internet through each brand’s official website and app. Crave can be streamed on the web and through partner platforms such as iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Bell Streamer, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung, LG, Hisense, Sony PlayStation and Xbox One. Finally, Bell Media’s OOH business delivers its services through an inventory of OOH faces and street furniture equipment in key urban cities across the country. On July 25, 2023, Crave expanded its DTC subscription offering with new ad-supported plan options. The new plans give customers a range of options to access Crave’s lineup of award-winning premium content.
On February 6, 2024, Bell Media announced that it had reached an agreement with Amazon to make its best-in-class streaming service, Crave, available on Prime Video Channels in Canada.
On February 6, 2024, Bell Media announced that it had reached an agreement with Amazon to make its best-in-class streaming service, Crave, available on Prime Video Channels in Canada.
On June 7, 2024, Bell Media completed the acquisition of OUTFRONT Media Inc.’s Canadian out-of-home media business, OUTEDGE.
On September 6, 2024, Bell Media announced that its TSN service was available on Prime Video Channels in Canada, and on October 29, 2024, RDS was also made available on Prime Video Channels in Canada.
On October 8, 2024, Bell Media announced that it has expanded its landmark partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery for the Canadian market, extending Crave for multiple years as the exclusive home of HBO and Max content. The expansion of Bell Media’s existing licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, announced in 2023, ensures Crave subscribers have continued access to a vast library of premium content for the foreseeable future. The new agreement also includes a co-production commitment for original Canadian content with global appeal, licensing of Bell Media original content for use on Warner Bros. Discovery platforms outside of Canada, and extended access to French-language content for use on Bell Media platforms.
On October 17, 2024, Bell Media announced a major content and licensing agreement with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution. This agreement rebranded its specialty channels, Discovery and Investigation Discovery, as USA Network and Oxygen True Crime, respectively, as of January 1, 2025. A selection of popular shows from both channels also became available for streaming on Crave. Also on January 1, existing specialty channels Animal Planet, Discovery Science and Discovery Velocity, rebranded to CTV Wild, CTV Nature and CTV Speed, respectively, completing the revitalization of Bell Media’s suite of Discovery channels.
On November 19, 2024, StackAdapt, a leading multi-channel advertising platform, and Bell Media announced a partnership to enable Bell Media’s premium inventory across connected TV (CTV), display, video, audio, and digital out-of-home channels through StackAdapt’s platform. This collaboration offers agencies and brands unmatched reach and precision in digital advertising in Canada, backed by two of the country’s foremost programmatic leaders.
On December 18, 2024, Bell Media announced that it has partnered with Shopsense AI, the leader in shoppable TV technology, to bring innovative second-screen shopping experiences to millions of Canadian viewers. This collaboration marks Shopsense’s first expansion outside of the U.S. and the first integration of its powerful Commerce OS into Canadian entertainment programming. The partnership has debuted on CTV’s popular daily shows THE GOOD STUFF WITH MARY BERG and ETALK.
On December 18, 2024, Bell Media announced that it has entered into an agreement with Point Grey Pictures to develop and produce an original scripted television series from Point Grey and Lionsgate. The agreement was made through Lionsgate’s first-look television deal with Point Grey. As a company with roots in Canada, Point Grey will enhance its presence in the country through this agreement by producing its first scripted show for the Canadian market.
On January 16, 2025, NASCAR announced multiple media rights deals that bolster its presence in Canada, the sport’s largest international market, highlighted by the expansion of its decades-long partnership with Bell Media. For the first time, Bell Media will be Canada’s home for all three NASCAR national series as it adds NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series programming to its long-standing NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series rights.
On January 17, 2025, Bell Media announced new bundle subscription options for Crave, TSN and RDS. The Ultimate Entertainment and Sports Bundle includes Crave and TSN for English-language programming and Crave and RDS for French-language programming.
On January 27, 2025, Bell Media and PAGEBOY Productions, founded by acclaimed actor, producer, and advocate Elliot Page, announced a new partnership to develop bold, original scripted series for Crave and CTV. Under this agreement, their collaboration will explore content opportunities, with a joint dedication to spotlighting untold stories.
Networks
The telecommunications industry is evolving rapidly as it continues to move from multiple service-specific networks to Internet protocol (IP)-based integrated communications networks that can carry voice, data and video traffic. The company continues to work with key vendor partners to expand its national multi-service IP-enabled networks.
The company’s communications networks provide wireless and wireline voice, data and video services to customers across Canada. The company’s infrastructure includes:
national transport networks for voice, data and video traffic, including Internet traffic;
urban and rural access networks and infrastructure for delivering services to customers;
national wireless networks that provide voice, data and video services.
Wireless
To provide wireless connectivity, the company has deployed and operate a number of nationwide wireless broadband networks compatible with global standards that deliver high-quality and reliable voice and high-speed data services. With its high-speed data network, the company is able to offer Canadian consumers a broad range of choice in wireless smartphones, as well as touch screen tablets, IoT devices and other devices designed for data services such as video and audio streaming, IoT communications, e-mail, messaging, Internet access and social networking. The company also supports international roaming in over 230 destinations, with LTE roaming in 213 destinations and 5G roaming in 106 destinations.
HSPA+ network
The company’s wireless HSPA+ network offered high-speed mobile access to 99% of Canada’s population at December 31, 2024, covering thousands of cities and towns in both urban and rural locations. The HSPA+ network supports global roaming, as well as a wide range of smartphones, data cards, universal serial bus (USB) sticks, tablets and other leading-edge mobile devices. The vast majority of the site connectivity for the HSPA+ network was built with high-speed fibre and an all-IP architecture for enhanced reliability.
4G LTE network
With Bell’s 4G LTE wireless network coverage, customers have data access speeds similar to those of broadband connections and significantly faster than its HSPA+ network, making it easier for users to download applications, stream high-definition videos and music, play online games, or videoconference and chat with virtually no delays or buffering. The HSPA+ and LTE networks work together such that most Bell LTE devices support both networks.
The company’s LTE wireless network reached more than 99% of Canada’s population at December 31, 2024 with theoretical peak download speeds of up to 150 Mbps, with expected average download speeds of 18 to 40 Mbps.
LTE-A network
With Dual-band LTE-A technology, Bell generally delivers theoretical peak download speeds of up to 260 Mbps (expected average download speeds of 18 to 74 Mbps). By assigning three radio channels or carriers to one user, the company generally deliver, with Tri-band LTE-A technology, theoretical mobile data peak download speeds of up to 335 Mbps (expected average download speeds of 25 to 100 Mbps). With the addition of multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) technologies and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), the company can deliver in certain areas theoretical peak download speeds of up to 800 Mbps with Dual-band LTE-A technology and 1.2 Gbps with Tri-band LTE-A technology.
Bell’s LTE network is also capable of delivering Quad-band LTE-A service. Quad-band technology leverages four bands of wireless spectrum to boost LTE-A speeds to the gigabit level. In addition to employing a combination of carrier aggregation, Bell also uses 256 QAM and 4X4 MIMO technologies to increase spectrum efficiency and multiply capacity. Bell’s enhanced Gigabit LTE-A network is available in select cities across Canada. Quad-band LTE-A now offers theoretical mobile data peak download speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps in markets across Canada (expected average download speeds of 25 to 325 Mbps).
As of December 31, 2024, the company provided LTE-A network service to 96% of the population in Canada, and provided Quad-band LTE-A service to over 46% of the population in Canada.
LTE-M network
The company’s LTE-M network is a subset of its LTE network supporting low-power IoT applications with enhanced coverage, longer device battery life and enabling lower costs for IoT devices connecting to Bell’s national network. An expanded reciprocal roaming partnership with AT&T Inc. (AT&T) provides Bell Canadian business customers with access to AT&T’s LTE-M network across the U.S. and also enables AT&T’s customers to roam on Bell’s national LTE-M network in Canada. The company’s LTE-M network is available in most Canadian provinces.
5G Network
The company’s 5G wireless network enables it to offer enhanced mobile data speeds and the latest 5G-capable smartphones. The high capacity and near instant connections offered by mobile 5G will support new consumer and business applications in coming years, including AR/VR, AI and machine learning, immersive entertainment services, connected vehicles, smart cities and enhanced rural access, and IoT opportunities for business and government enterprises. In 2021, Bell acquired significant additional mid-band, flexible-use 3500 MHz wireless spectrum in the auction conducted by ISED and on May 19, 2023, Bell obtained the right to use, through subordination, certain of Xplore Inc.’s 3500 MHz spectrum licences in Quebec after approval from ISED. On November 30, 2023, Bell announced having secured the right to acquire 939 wireless spectrum licences in the recently completed 3800 MHz spectrum auction. On January 17, 2024, Bell made a first payment to ISED. The remaining balance was paid on May 29, 2024, at which time Bell acquired the 3800 MHz spectrum licences. Essential to Canada’s ongoing transition to 5G communications, these high-capacity airwaves support Bell’s delivery of enhanced 5G digital experiences to Canadian consumers and businesses in urban, rural and remote communities.
In 2024, Bell continued to expand its 5G network to new markets across Québec, Ontario, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba. Bell’s 5G network covered 87% of Canada’s population at December 31, 2024, a significant increase from the 26% of Canada’s population covered at the end of 2020, attributable in part to its capital expenditure acceleration program.
In July 2022, Bell began deploying 3500 MHz wireless spectrum, unleashing the next phase of 5G advancement and allowing Bell to launch its 5G+ network. Bell 5G+ is expected to be faster and more responsive, allowing for a superior mobile experience. Initially launched in southern Ontario, the 5G+ network was expanded to Manitoba and many centres cross Atlantic Canada, as well as in other communities, and reached 60% of Canada’s population at December 31, 2024, with the availability of peak theoretical download speeds of 3 Gbps in select markets.
Wireline
Voice and Data Network
The company’s national voice and data network consists of an optical fibre network with the latest technologies to provide redundancy and fault protection. It reaches all major Canadian metropolitan centres, as well as New York, Chicago, Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Minneapolis, Ashburn (Virginia) Seattle and Secaucus in the U.S.
The company’s network in major Canadian cities provides state-of-the-art high-speed access at multi-gigabit speeds based on IP technology. The company operates a national IP multi-protocol label switching network with international gateways to the rest of the world. This network delivers next-generation, business-grade IP virtual private network (IP VPN) services that connect its customers’ offices throughout Canada and around the world. The IP VPN service is the foundation platform required for the delivery of business service solutions that add value and efficiencies to customers’ businesses. These technology solutions include voice over IP/IP telephony, IP videoconferencing, IP call centre applications and other future IP-based applications. In addition, the company maintains extensive copper and voice-switching networks that provide traditional local and interexchange voice and data services to all business and residential customers in Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba.
In April 2021, Bell announced commercial 400 gigabit wavelength service deployed across major spans of Bell’s fibre infrastructure to deliver significantly increased connectivity speed and capacity while optimizing network performance and energy efficiency. 400 gigabit technology increases fibre capacity using less network hardware and more automation to deliver four times the data speed and 50% more capacity per wavelength than compared to 100 gigabit core infrastructure or previous technology.
Key traffic routes span more than 25,000 kilometres across Canada and into the U.S.
On November 16, 2021, Bell and Nokia announced the first successful test of 25G passive optical network (PON) fibre broadband technology in North America, which validates that current GPON and XGS-PON broadband technology and future 25G PON can work seamlessly together on the same fibre hardware, which is being deployed throughout the network. 25G PON delivers significant symmetrical bandwidth capacity that will support new use cases such as premium service and 5G transport.
High-Speed Fibre Deployment
The company’s strategic imperative to build the best networks has included the expansion of its fibre network to more homes and business locations. Bell has invested significantly to deploy FTTP connections to overlay legacy copper infrastructure, with fibre directly to homes and businesses. In addition, Bell continues to deploy FTTP to all new urban and suburban housing developments in Ontario, Québec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba, in addition to Bell’s ongoing deployment of FTTP to multi-dwelling units and business locations. In the company’s view, FTTP, in which optical fibre cables are used to connect each and every location, is the best available network architecture to support future bandwidth-demanding IP services and applications. The company’s residential fibre-optic Internet service, marketed as Fibe Internet and Virgin Plus Internet, is enabled by its fibre network, offering symmetrical download and upload speeds of up to 3 Gbps with FTTP through its Gigabit Fibe 3.0 service, as well as download speeds of up to 100 Mbps with FTTN. On February 8, 2024, the company announced that it would cap fibre speeds at 3 Gbps as a result of federal government policies and the CRTC’s decision of November 6, 2023, that imposed an interim aggregated access to FTTP facilities obligation and discourages network investment.
Introduced in April 2022, the Bell Gigabit Fibe 3.0 service was initially offered in eligible areas of Toronto and has since been rolled out in several communities across Ontario, Québec, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces.
Bell Gigabit Fibe service includes the new Giga Hub with Wi-Fi 6E, the next evolution of Wi-Fi, enabling faster speeds and lower latency when used with a compatible device, and allowing customers to work, learn, video chat, stream and game online on any or all of their household devices simultaneously.
In addition to the significant deployments of FTTP direct fibre connections announced in prior years, which continued throughout the Greater Toronto Area/905 region surrounding Toronto, on the island of Montréal, in Hamilton and Winnipeg, the company announced in August 2022 an investment of over $650 million in partnership with a Government of Ontario investment of $484 million to deploy Bell’s all-fibre network to over 80,000 homes and businesses in underserved regions across Ontario, as part of the Ontario Accelerated High Speed Internet Program (AHSIP).
Also, in addition to several direct fibre deployment projects announced in a number of smaller communities over the past few years, on March 22, 2021, Bell announced that it would roll out high-speed Internet service to several underserved areas of Québec in partnership with the governments of Canada and Québec as part of their Operation High Speed initiative to connect all Québecers by September 2022. The Bell project provides 100% fibre Internet connections to approximately 31,000 homes and businesses in nearly 100 Québec communities. In 2023, Northwestel completed the final year of construction in its Every Community Project, launching fibre-to-the-home service in 24 locations in Yukon and 18 locations in the Northwest Territories.
In 2023, Bell announced the expansion of pure fibre Internet service to additional homes and businesses, including in the Ontario communities of Leamington, Lincoln, Essex Centre and Harrow, and in six more communities across rural Manitoba. In addition, as part of the Grand Council Treaty #3 Dibaajimowin Project, Bell will provide broadband fibre-optic Internet access to 23 Indigenous and 13 non-Indigenous communities in Northwestern Ontario.
In 2025, the company’s planned capital spending will be focused on its strategic imperatives, reflecting an appropriate level of investment in the company’s networks and services. As a direct result of the CRTC’s rejection on February 3, 2025, of a Governor-in-Council request to reconsider its November 2023 decision that provided large carriers temporary wholesale tariffed access to Bell’s FTTP network, the company expects to reduce its capital expenditures by more than it anticipated would be the case for 2025. Consequently, the company’s near-term fibre build target of 8.3 million locations by the end of 2025 will not be reached. At December 31, 2024, the company’s FTTP footprint covered approximately 7.8 million homes and businesses in Ontario, Québec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba.
In addition to the company’s Fibe Internet service, it offers Internet under the Virgin Plus brand for customers in Ontario and Québec. This high-speed Internet service offers existing Virgin Plus customers download speeds of up to 1 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
Additionally, the company continues to deploy its IPTV services in areas in Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba where cable providers had long been dominant. As of December 31, 2024, its IPTV services had the capacity to service approximately 9.8 million homes in major cities and municipalities across Ontario, Quebec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba.
On November 4, 2024, BCE announced that Bell Canada had entered into an agreement to acquire Ziply Fiber, the leading fibre Internet provider in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.
WTTP
WTTP is 5G-capable fixed wireless technology delivered over Bell’s wireless network using 3500 MHz spectrum to deliver high-speed Internet service to residents in smaller and underserved communities. WTTP enables Bell’s WHI broadband service and complements its FTTP network.
In 2021, Bell completed the buildout of its WHI service in small towns and rural communities across Ontario, Québec, the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba, reaching its target of 1 million locations one year ahead of schedule. The accelerated rollout of its Wireless Home Internet service formed part of Bell’s capital expenditure acceleration program which provided for additional network funding in 2021 and 2022.
Bell delivers WHI service with 50/10 to a majority of customers. Innovation in WTTP complements Bell’s extensive broadband fibre buildout in urban markets, and its deployment of WTTP in rural locations underscores its focuses on the full utilization of Bell’s assigned wireless spectrum resources.
DSL
The company also offers DSL-based Internet service in areas where Fibe Internet and Wireless Home Internet are not available, with download speeds of up to 5 Mbps.
Satellite TV service
The company provides satellite TV service nationwide under the Bell TV brand using satellites operated by Telesat Canada.
Spectrum and Broadcasting Licences
The company’s intangible assets also include spectrum licences from ISED, which provide the company with the right to utilize designated wireless spectrum to provide its wireless services, and broadcasting licences from the CRTC, which enable the company to deliver Bell Media’s content to Canadians.
The company’s wireless spectrum licence holdings extend across various spectrum bands and regions across Canada, totalling more than 8.6 billion MHz-Pop, corresponding to an average of approximately 233 MHz of spectrum per Canadian. Prior to 2022, the company deployed 600 MHz, 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, 1900 MHz, AWS and 850 MHz as part of its wireless networks. In 2022. The company began deploying its 3500 MHz spectrum acquired in the 2021 auction. In 2024, the company began deploying its 3800 MHz spectrum acquired in the 2023 auction. The company intends to renew existing licences to meet network capacity requirements.
Regulatory Environment
During the last three financial years, the development of the company's business has been affected by decisions made by the Government of Canada and its relevant departments and agencies, including the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Canadian Heritage and the Competition Bureau.
History
BCE Inc. was founded in 1880. The company was incorporated in 1970.
