Bell expands pure fibre Internet access to the Town of Iroquois Falls

High-speed Internet services will reach over 1,800 additional homes and businesses in Iroquois Falls


Iroquois Falls, ON, May 15, 2023 – Bell today announced the expansion of pure fibre Internet service to homes and businesses in the Town of Iroquois Falls in partnership with the Governments of Canada and Ontario. Part of Bell’s capital expenditures for investment in next-generation network infrastructure, the expansion program will bring all-fibre broadband access to approximately 1,800 additional locations in Iroquois Falls by 2025.

This broadband expansion program will provide fast and high-capacity 100% fibre connections with gigabit speeds and access to Bell services such as Fibe TV.

Quotes
“We all know that Internet is no longer a luxury in this day and age—it’s a necessity. Having fast, reliable Internet helps rural Canadians by levelling the playing field to access essential services like health care and education, participate in the digital economy, or simply connect with loved ones. Our government will continue to work side by side with our partners to achieve our connectivity targets and ensure every Canadian, no matter where they live, has access to high-speed Internet.”

– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development

“Our government recognizes how critical access to high-speed internet is for people across Ontario. That is why we have made it a priority to bring reliable high-speed internet access to every community by the end of 2025. By expanding access to homes and businesses in the Town of Iroquois Falls, we are ensuring that these residents have improved access to health services and will be able to learn and work online, participate in the agriculture sector, and connect with their loved ones.”

– The Honourable Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure

“This investment will enable excellent connectivity for our residents and existing business while attracting new business and industry. It fosters innovation and promotes entrepreneurship while facilitating positive sustainable growth.”

– Tory Delaurier, Mayor, Town of Iroquois Falls

“We are proud to partner with the Governments of Canada and Ontario to bring our pure fibre connection to over 1,800 households and businesses in the Town of Iroquois Falls. Fast and reliable Internet connections are needed more than ever to keep people connected. Through our investments in world-class broadband networks, Bell is advancing our long-standing purpose to connect Canadians in communities throughout the country and across our footprint.”

– Bruce Furlong, SVP Network, Bell

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company1 providing advanced Bell broadband wireless, Internet, TV, media and business communications services. 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. 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 initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

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1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections.


Media inquiries
Jacqueline Michelis
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News

Investor inquiries
Richard Bengian
richard.bengian@bell.ca


Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to our network deployment plans and anticipated capital expenditures as well as the benefits expected to result therefrom, 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 network deployment plans and anticipated capital expenditures 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, that our anticipated capital expenditures will be made or that the benefits expected to result therefrom will be realized. The completion of our network deployment plans assumes, among others, the availability of sufficient equipment, labour and capital. However, there can be no certainty that the required equipment, labour and sources of capital will be available with the result that our actual network deployments and capital expenditures 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) 2022 Annual MD&A dated March 2, 2023, BCE’s 2023 First Quarter MD&A dated May 3, 2023, and BCE's news release dated May 4, 2023 announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2023, 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.