BCE.ca - News Release

Bell disappointed with CRTC decision denying rural and remote communities the latest
wireless broadband network technology

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) yesterday issued a very disappointing decision as to how funds accumulated in telecom company "deferral accounts" must be used to expand broadband service to rural and remote Canadian communities. "Bell had hoped to bring the same world-leading wireless HSPA+ technology to small unserved communities in Ontario and Qu�bec that we've rolled out to 93% of the Canadian population already. More than 100 such locations - communities like La Patrie, Cloud Bay, Denbigh, Morson, Stratton, Wawa - would have had access to the fastest mobile Internet access speeds and the latest voice and data products and services available. In fact, a significant number of these communities wrote letters of support for our HSPA+ proposal directly to the CRTC. Instead, the CRTC insists we roll out less-advanced DSL technology." said George Cope, President and CEO of Bell and BCE Inc. "Considering the federal government's commitment to ensuring Canada's leadership in the digital economy and its strong support for intensified investment in the latest broadband technologies, this is quite frankly a shocking decision by the CRTC. It's a clear opportunity missed, and it perpetuates the digital divide between rural and urban Canada," said Mr. Cope. It is worth noting the dissenting opinion of the CRTC's vice chair of telecom, Len Katz, who wrote that the CRTC does need to embrace the latest broadband technology available: "By limiting the rollout of broadband services to DSL technology, the commission has taken a static view of technology and failed to recognize the dynamic changes taking place in functionality and cost from newer technologies," Mr. Katz wrote. The CRTC also increased Bell's $488-million deferral account balance to $583 million with interest charges of close to $95 million - despite Bell having little control over many of the delays in the decision - and limited the amount Bell could spend on rolling out rural broadband to $306 million. The CRTC also requires Bell to return approximately $250 million, including interest, of deferral account funds to Bell residential home phone customers in urban areas of Ontario and Qu�bec in the form of credits, rebates or promotional offers. Bell will announce plans to do so in coming days. In 2002, the CRTC required established telcos, including Bell, MTS and TELUS, to create deferral accounts that would hold surplus funds collected from urban home phone customers for an unspecified later purpose. The CRTC believed that new competition in telecom would be hampered if the telcos simply reduced prices for urban customers instead of building up a deferral account. In 2008, the CRTC agreed that Bell could use its deferral account funds to build broadband out to 112 underserved communities in Ontario and Qu�bec. In 2009, Bell applied to the CRTC for permission to deploy the latest HSPA+ broadband technology, which Bell was already planning to roll out to 93% of the Canadian population by the end of the year. Yesterday, the CRTC decided Bell should instead bring less-advanced DSL (digital subscriber line) technology to these communities. Financial guidance for 2010 Based on yesterday's CRTC decision, there is no change to BCE Inc.'s guidance for 2010 for revenues, EBITDA, capital intensity and Adjusted EPS. However, the Company no longer expects 2010 free cash flow at the high end of the guidance range. BCE's original guidance for 2010 issued on February 4, 2010, its increased guidance issued on August 5, 2010, and its current expectation are as follows:

Bell is your information source for the 2010 Bell Challenge

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Bell throws open the doors to the Bell Challenge with new mobile and online content

FibreOP(TM) services now available in the Greater Moncton Area

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Bell Aliant today announced that FibreOP(TM), its world-class fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network, has launched in the Greater Moncton Area. Customers in the City of Dieppe are the first to be able to order FibreOP services, closely followed by the Town of Riverview and the City of Moncton."We're thrilled with the success thus far in New Brunswick," said Kelly Duplisea, VP, FibreOP and TV, Bell Aliant. "Thousands of customers have chosen FibreOP, and we're excited to now offer the world's most advanced broadband network to our customers in these communities." FibreOP is the only 100 per cent fibre-optic network straight to your home, delivering the best Internet with the fastest upload speeds and crystal clear TV. FibreOP is the smart choice for today and tomorrow.

Solo Mobile Unlimited Talk plans now available

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The best unlimited plans for big talkers and heavy texters

Bell Aliant announces cash distribution for August 2010

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (the Fund or Bell Aliant) (TSX: BA.UN) today declared its cash distribution of $0.2417 per unit for the month of August 2010. The distribution will be paid on September 15, 2010 to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 31, 2010. The declaration of future distributions is subject to approval by the Bell Aliant Trustees. To the extent that any portion of these distributions is designated as dividends paid by Bell Aliant, that portion is designated to be an "eligible dividend" pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) and corresponding provincial legislation. About Bell Aliant Bell Aliant (TSX: BA.UN). is one of North America's largest regional communications providers and the first company in Canada to cover an entire city with fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with its FibreOP(TM) services. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Through its xwave offices, Bell Aliant also provides IT professional services and advanced technology solutions. Bell Aliant's employees deliver the highest quality of customer service, choice and convenience.

BCE reports 2010 second quarter results

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT

BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company, today reported BCE and Bell results for the second quarter of 2010, and announced a 5% increase in its annual common share dividend and improved financial guidance for 2010. BCE reported improved financial performance with net earnings applicable to common shares growing by 70.5% to $590 million. In addition, Bell had revenue growth of 4.5%, reflecting strong TV and wireless revenue growth of 11.6% and 9.6%, respectively, and the inclusion of revenues from The Source and Virgin Mobile Canada (Virgin); operating income growth of 30.6%; EBITDA growth of 3.3%; wireless gross subscriber activations of 480,639 and postpaid net activations of 102,754; and TV net activations of 9,775. These results demonstrate continued progress in the execution of Bell's 5 Strategic Imperatives - Improve Customer Service, Accelerate Wireless, Leverage Wireline Momentum, Invest in Broadband Networks and Services, and Achieve a Competitive Cost Structure. "Bell's strong operating momentum and financial performance are the direct result of the Bell team's strong execution of our strategic imperatives. We continue to accelerate our growth businesses in an increasingly competitive marketplace, while continuing to invest in the service programs and broadband networks that support our growth into the future," said George Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada. "At Bell Wireless, our world-leading HSPA+ network and roster of leading smartphones and turbo sticks produced wireless data revenue growth of 45% and net activations that more than doubled year over year. The substantial 6% increase in Bell Wireline EBITDA results from double-digit Bell TV revenue growth, outstanding operating cost reductions and ongoing decreases in NAS landline losses." "Bell's strong financial results to date this year and positive outlook for the remainder of 2010 allow us to continue to return value to shareholders with another common share dividend increase, even as we continue to accelerate investment in broadband network expansion to ensure Bell's and Canada's competitiveness going forward," said Mr. Cope. BCE today announced that the annual common share dividend will increase by 5% to $1.83 per share. Accordingly, BCE's Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4575 per common share payable on October 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2010. With this increase, BCE's annual common share dividend has increased by 25% since the fourth quarter of 2008. "We continue to maintain a positive outlook for the business which is supported by our strong execution and solid competitive position across all our product lines," said Siim Vanaselja, Chief Financial Officer of BCE and Bell Canada. "Our results in the first half of the year, including Q2 Free Cash Flow performance tracking to the high end of 2010 guidance and revenue and Adjusted EPS ahead of plan, support our upward guidance revision announced today." "The 5% hike in our common share dividend also announced today - the second such increase this year - is supported by our improved earnings outlook and maintains BCE's payout ratio conservatively toward the low end of our policy range of 65% to 75% of increased Adjusted EPS guidance for 2010. The dividend increase will also be readily funded from our Free Cash Flow with no material impact on our projected cash balance for year-end 2010 of approximately $500 million," said Mr. Vanaselja. Bell's operating revenues increased by 4.5% this quarter, to $3,792 million, as higher revenues from growth in TV and wireless revenues and the acquisitions of The Source and the remaining 50% of the equity of Virgin not already owned by Bell more than offset declines in local and access, long distance and wireline data revenues. Bell's operating income increased by 30.6% to $820 million this quarter due to higher EBITDA, lower restructuring and other costs and lower depreciation and amortization of intangible assets. Bell's EBITDA grew by 3.3% to $1,498 million this quarter due to higher revenues, disciplined cost management and lower pension expense. Bell Wireless operating revenues increased by 9.6% this quarter with service revenues increasing by 10.8% and product revenues decreasing by 4.5%. Bell Wireless operating income and EBITDA decreased by 5.6% and 2.4% respectively due to the higher levels of gross activations and customer upgrades. Blended ARPU(2) increased by $1.66 to $52.12 year over year as data revenue growth of 45% more than offset voice ARPU declines due to customer adoption of richer rate plans. Wireless data revenues represented approximately 22% of service revenues this quarter compared to approximately 17% of service revenues for the same period last year. Gross activations of 480,639 and postpaid net activations of 102,754 were 19.0% and 60.1% higher than last year respectively. The Bell Wireline segment had NAS losses of 129,147 this quarter, an improvement of 2.6% compared to last year. TV subscribers increased by 9,775 this quarter compared to an increase of 20,018 in the same period last year. High-speed Internet net subscribers decreased by 3,899 this quarter compared to an increase of 1,991 last year. Bell Wireline operating revenues increased by 2.2% as TV and equipment and other revenue growth more than offset declines in local and access, long distance and data revenues. Equipment and other revenues increased by 84.0% this quarter as a result of the acquisition of The Source. Bell Wireline operating income increased by 72.8% as a result of higher EBITDA, lower restructuring and other costs and lower depreciation and amortization of intangible assets. Bell Wireline EBITDA increased by 6.0% due to higher revenues, cost reductions and lower pension expense. Bell invested $538 million of capital this quarter, or 20.8% less than the same period last year. Capital expenditures were higher in 2009 due to the build-out of our new HSPA+ network. Capital expenditures this quarter supported Bell's strategic imperatives, including broadband fibre deployment and customer service improvement initiatives. BCE's cash flows from operating activities decreased by 5.8% this quarter to $1,388 million due to higher pension contributions and a decrease in working capital partly offset by lower restructuring and other and interest payments. Free cash flow(3) was $566 million this quarter, an increase of 8.8% compared to the same period last year, due to a decrease in capital expenditures partly offset by a decrease in cash flows from operating activities. BCE's net earnings applicable to common shares this quarter were $590 million, or $0.78 per share, compared to $346 million, or $0.45 per share, for the same period last year. Earnings growth this quarter reflects lower restructuring and other costs. BCE's Adjusted EPS(4) was $0.77 this quarter, an increase of 32.8% compared to last year as a result of higher EBITDA, lower income tax expense and the impact of fewer outstanding BCE common shares as a result of share purchases made under the 2010 normal course issuer bid (NCIB) program.

BCE.ca - News Release

Bell disappointed with CRTC decision denying rural and remote communities the latestwireless broadband network technology

Bell is your information source for the 2010 Bell Challenge

FibreOP(TM) services now available in the Greater Moncton Area

Solo Mobile Unlimited Talk plans now available

Bell Aliant announces cash distribution for August 2010

BCE reports 2010 second quarter results

Bell disappointed with CRTC decision denying rural and remote communities the latest
wireless broadband network technology