Bell has acquired additional 2500 MHz wireless spectrum, while TELUS has secured licenses for 40 MHz of spectrum in every region across Canada.
By acquiring the additional 243M MHz per population (MHz-POP) for $29 million, Bell has increased its 2500 MHz spectrum nationwide to 1,731M MHz POP for a blended cost of $0.10 per-MHz-POP.
2500 MHz airwaves support Bell’s 4G LTE mobile services in urban and rural markets in Canada. Bell said its 4G LTE network will reach 98 percent by the end of 2015 from 91 percent currently.
Blaik Kirby, president of Bell Mobility, said: “This latest spectrum acquisition is another example of how Bell is propelling Canada’s digital economy with the best network technologies and innovative data services like mobile TV and mobile banking.”
Bell will use the additional 2500 MHz spectrum to support the company’s 4G LTE services in eastern and western Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, Alberta, British Columbia and the Territories.
Since 2006, Bell has invested approximately $7 billion to acquire new mobile 4G spectrum and build wireless networks in Canada.
In April, Bell announced its plans to invest $20 billion in capital spending (Capex) from 2015 to 2020 to expand both its 4G LTE mobile network and broadband fiber networks supporting Fibe TV and Internet services.
TELUS said it has secured licenses for 40 MHz of spectrum in every region across Canada in the recently concluded 2500 MHz auction.
Eros Spadotto, TELUS executive vice-president of Technology Strategy, said: “TELUS has invested significantly over the last several auctions to ensure our 8.3 million wireless customers will continue to have access to outstanding speed, reach, and capacity as demand for wireless services continues to increase.”
TELUS will fund this $479 million 2500 MHz spectrum license investment from existing credit facilities.
Baburajan K
editor@telecomlead.com
