Bell ‘disappointed’ by feds upholding CRTC wholesale decision, expects fibre footprint to ‘plateau’

Rather than build more fibre in Canada, BCE Inc. is now focused on getting more customers onto the network it has already built, the company said during its second quarter earnings call Thursday, Aug. 7. Bell’s fibre footprint will “plateau” at around eight million homes passed, rather than its previous goal of nine million, CEO Mirko Bibic explained. He blamed the federal government’s Wednesday decision to uphold the CRTC’s wholesale internet policy, which allows Canada’s largest telecom companies access to fibre networks outside of their home territories. Bell has repeatedly announced in recent years that it will be cutting its investments, saying the current regulatory system is discouraging telcos from building infrastructure. That trend continued during Thursday’s discussion. “I should say that obviously we're disappointed with the decision of the federal government last night to decline to alter the CRTC decision to expand mandatory wholesale access,” said Bibic. “At this stage, we'd urge the government and the CRTC to ensure that network builders are fully compensated for the significant build costs and investment risk they take in building,” he continued. “That's what we're going to focus on right now.” As network expansion becomes less of a priority for Bell — except in the United States, where it recently bought Ziply Fiber, adding about 1.3 million fibre locations to Bell’s network — the company has been making moves in other areas, including AI, tech services, cybersecurity, and media content. “Our strategy is based on reinventing our core services and our core service delivery, and leading the country in AI-powered technology solutions,” said Bibic. As a result, Bell has also been making a series of “non-core asset sales.” Last month, the company completed its $4.7 billion sale of its 37.5 per cent ownership stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) to Rogers Communications Inc., and its $1 billion sale of Northwestel is still underway. Additionally, Bell announced Thursday that it is selling its home security and monitored alarm assets to Toronto-based a.p.i. Alarm Inc. for an estimated $170 million. It expects the transaction to close “in the second half of 2025.” The company said the proceeds from the sale will be “reused” to reduce debt and “strengthen our balance sheet.” Telus and Rogers have recently sold off some of their wireless infrastructure, an analyst asked if Bell is considering doing the same. Bibic said he “ have any updates to share” regarding any potential sale of Bell’s infrastructure assets, but did note that the company could be open to it in the future. “We view our infrastructure as potentially a valuable source of capital and we fully recognize the strategic value of a lot of our infrastructure,” said the CEO. “That could be towers, could be AI Fabric, it could be other things.” “We’ll consider and certainly execute on partnerships that help us achieve our long term goals and that help us drive shareholder value…,” he continued. “We're going to remain open to exploring opportunities under the right conditions going forward.” Bell sees Q2 revenues, profits grow Bell’s operating revenues for the quarter were $6.09 billion, up 1.3 per cent from last year’s $6.01 billion. The company continued to see growth in its net earnings, reporting profits of $644 million, 6.6 per cent higher than last year’s $604 million. This improvement was “mainly due to lower other expense and lower impairment of assets, partly offset by lower adjusted EBITDA , higher severance, acquisition and other costs, higher depreciation and amortization and higher interest expense,” reported Bell. Adjusted net earnings however were $592 million, down 16.9 per cent from $712 million last year. Adjusted EBITDA was $2.67 billion, a decrease of 0.9 per cent from last year’s $2.7 billion. phalentm@thewirereport.ca

Bell ‘disappointed’ by feds upholding CRTC wholesale decision, expects fibre footprint to ‘plateau’

Telecom |
By Phalen Tynes-MacDonald
| August 7, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Bell ‘disappointed’ by feds upholding CRTC wholesale decision, expects fibre footprint to ‘plateau’

Telecom | By Phalen Tynes-MacDonald | August 7, 2025

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

Toronto seniors without Bell service for seven weeks following fire

Bell finalizes purchase of Ziply

CRTC, Privacy Commissioner asked to launch inquiries into alleged privacy breach in Niagara phone call misconnections

Bell, Rogers come to agreement for distribution of specialty channels

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Telecom |
By Phalen Tynes-MacDonald
| August 7, 2025