Bell MTS bringing all-fibre broadband network to more rural Manitobans

• Pure fibre Internet service rolling out to 7 more communities, connecting 6,500 new locations starting this fall
• The fastest data speeds available to consumers anywhere in Canada
• Part of Bell's capital expenditure acceleration program delivering the rollout of next-generation broadband networks across Canada

STONY MOUNTAIN, MB, Aug. 29, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell MTS today announced the expansion of its all fibre broadband network to more homes and businesses across rural Manitoba. Part of Bell's capital expenditure acceleration program to invest in national next-generation network infrastructure, the latest expansion program will bring all-fibre connections to over 6,500 locations throughout Blumenort, Ile des Chênes, Landmark, Matlock, St. Adolphe, Stony Mountain and Winnipeg Beach starting this fall.

Fully funded by Bell, this broadband network expansion will provide fast and high-capacity 100% fibre connections with Internet download speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps and access to leading Bell services such as Gigabit Fibe Internet, Whole Home Wi-Fi and Fibe TV. By the end of this year, Bell will have invested approximately $14 billion in capital expenditures since 2020, including planned capital expenditures of approximately $5 billion in 2022, to accelerate the rollout of its broadband fibre, 5G and Wireless Home Internet networks.

"Access to high-speed, more reliable broadband will allow residents, businesses and families to more easily participate in the digital economy and take advantage of the remarkable advances in telehealth, remote learning, e-commerce, and online entertainment. We are excited that Bell MTS is investing in a fibre Internet solution for Stony Mountain and we look forward to enhanced community connectivity for many years to come."

     - WesTaplin, Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Rockwood

"At Bell MTS, we are proud to be expanding the deployment of our faster, more climate-resilient fibre networks in rural Manitoba, enabling brand new economic opportunities for both businesses and consumers in 7 more communities across the province. Today's announcement builds on our industry-leading capital expenditure plan to connect more Manitobans in communities large and small with the best network technology available to communicate, learn, travel and stay informed."

     - Ryan Klassen, Vice Chair of Bell MTS & Western Canada

Fibre network technology is considered to be the best and most reliable, enabling faster speeds for now and for newer technologies in the future. Bell has undertaken its most aggressive fibre buildout ever this year, with plans to reach up to 900,000 more homes and businesses across Canada with direct fibre connections by the end of 2022.

In addition to bringing the Bell MTS all-fibre broadband network to Blumenort, Ile des Chênes, Landmark, Matlock, St. Adolphe, Stony Mountain and Winnipeg Beach, Bell MTS is nearing final completion of its fibre network builds in Altona, Plum Coulee, Emerson and Morris. Announced in September of 2021, Bell MTS will be connecting approximately 4,500 new locations in the Pembina Valley region with the world's fastest Internet technology by the end of this year.

Bell MTS is part of BCE, Canada's largest communications company, and provides advanced broadband wireless, Internet, TV, multimedia and business communication services throughout Manitoba. To learn more, please visit BellMTS.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.

Bell MTS
Morgan Shipley
204-391-2849
morgan.shipley@bellmts.ca
@Bell_MTS

Richard Bengian
richard.bengian@bell.ca

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, including our two-year capital expenditure acceleration program for the deployment of our broadband fibre, 5G and Wireless Home Internet 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 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 and the value of our planned capital expenditures assumes our ability to access or generate the necessary sources of 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) 2021 Annual MD&A dated March 3, 2022, BCE's 2022 First Quarter MD&A dated May 4, 2022, BCE's 2022 Second Quarter MD&A dated August 3, 2022 and BCE's news release dated August 4, 2022 announcing its financial results for the second quarter of 2022, 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