BCE : Bell expands pure fibre Internet access in Roxton Pond in the Estrie region

Rural broadband rollouts part of Bell's accelerated capital investment program driving the growth of Canada's next-generation broadband network infrastructure

MONTRÉAL, Aug. 12, 2021 - Bell today announced the expansion of pure fibre Internet service to homes and businesses in the rural community of Roxton Pond. Part of Bell's accelerated capital investment in national next-generation network infrastructure, the expansion program will bring all-fibre broadband access to approximately 500 rural locations in Roxton Pond by the end of 2021.

'Bridging the rural divide is a priority for Bell as we advance how Canadians connect with each other and the world,' said Karine Moses, Bell's Vice Chair, Québec. 'Fully funded by Bell, this expansion in Estrie complements the work also being done by the Québec and federal governments to connect people and businesses throughout Québec to fast and reliable Internet. We're proud to bring our pure fibre connections and world-leading Internet and TV services to even more households and commercial locations throughout the Québec community of Roxton Pond.'

The broadband expansion program will provide fast and high-capacity 100% fibre connections to even more residents of rural communities with Internet download speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps and access to leading Bell services such as Fibe TV. Earlier this year, Bell announced an additional investment of $1.7 billion in capital over the next 2 years to accelerate the rollout of its broadband fibre, 5G and rural networks. Enabled by a positive investment climate reflecting government support for infrastructure development, this capital acceleration is in addition to the approximately $4 billion in capital Bell typically invests in broadband network infrastructure and expansion each year.

'We are very pleased with Bell's investment in Roxton Pond to bring fibre optic Internet connections to our territory,' said Pierre Fontaine, Mayor of Roxton Pond. Access to fast and reliable Internet service is becoming increasingly important for municipalities like ours and we welcome this news with great enthusiasm.'

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet media and business communication services throughout the country. 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 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.

Media inquiries:

Caroline Audet
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@Bell_News

Investor inquiries:

Thane Fotopoulos
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Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to our network deployment and capital investment plans as well as the benefits expected to result therefrom, including our two-year increased capital investment program to accelerate the rollout of our broadband fibre, 5G and rural 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 capital investment and network deployment plans and the benefits expected to result therefrom are subject to risks and, accordingly, there can be no assurance that our capital investment and network deployment plans will be completed or that the benefits expected to result therefrom will be realized. The value of the planned investments assumes our ability to access or generate the necessary sources of capital. However, there can be no certainty that the required sources of capital will be available with the result that the actual investment made by us 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) 2020 Annual MD&A dated March 4, 2021, BCE's 2021 First Quarter MD&A dated April 28, 2021 and BCE's news release dated April 29, 2021, announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2021, 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.