Cybersecurity, 6G set to pose challenges for telecoms: Bell CTO

BCE Inc. is delivering strong connectivity but the company must be prepared for the market’s evolution, according to Bell Canada’s chief technology officer. Mark McDonald, also the telecom’s executive vice-president of networks technology and operations, recently sat down with The Wire Report for an in-depth interview, where he looked at emerging changes in the marketplace. “So a lot of the things coming up, I would say, are how are we getting ready for the next wave of traffic growth, combined with a big focus on security and resilience associated with that?” he says. “I believe we have demonstrated a high level of focus on security, resiliency and traffic in the last number of years. That’s what got us to where we are.” McDonald is pleased with where the eastern telecom is currently situated. “We’ve built up some incredible network infrastructure. We’ve developed strong wireless connectivity, advanced IG connectivity, we have strong fibre networks and fibre to the home,” the executive says. “So I think competitively, on the international stage, we’ve done quite well.” One major challenge will be the growth of artificial intelligence (AI). As AI traffic grows, the telecom needs to go beyond traditional internet consumption, McDonald believes. Currently, the company is transitioning from its copper networks to fibre — and there is a reason for that. “We built the core and foundation of our networks on fibre technology and the benefit of fibre technology is not only higher reliability and resiliency but also the ability to scale,” the CTO reports. One of the downsides has been an increase in copper thefts as the price of the metal rises. Some thieves, unsure of what they’re looking for, end up mistakenly slicing into fibre lines. Bell, like all other telecoms, is striving to combat the abuse. “We’re working with all layers of legal enforcement to do better there,” McDonald notes. Meanwhile, the colossus on the horizon is 6G. It promises to be a game-changer but its full impact can only be speculated. The CTO is philosophical about the changes in the offing. “When we talk about 6G we’re definitely looking for an evolution versus a revolution,” McDonald asserts. “So we’re less into flashy use cases and applications that are farfetched. We’re more grounded in the reality of how do we create agile architecture with 6G that does not take billions of dollars to evolve from 5G but has that flexibility to be able to build into use cases as they come.” Having a stable regulatory policy would be helpful in dealing with the challenges of 6G, the Irish-born executive opines. Bell is currently working with different levels of government on cybersecurity. “Threats are evolving both from nation-state actors and ransomware and various others,” he maintains. “AI is giving pause for thought on how cybersecurity vulnerabilities can be exploited but also how we can strengthen our defence at the same time.” McDonald began his career in Europe before moving on to work in the Middle East. He has been in Canada for 16 years, first with Nokia Canada Inc. and then with Bell for the past 11 years. He has worked in wireless network engineering, wireline networks and tech offices at the incumbent telecom. ppark@thewirereport.ca

Cybersecurity, 6G set to pose challenges for telecoms: Bell CTO

Telecom |
By Paul Park
|June 22, 2026

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

Cybersecurity, 6G set to pose challenges for telecoms: Bell CTO

Telecom | By Paul Park |June 22, 2026

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

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Rural internet leaders renew call for action as fight for connectivity drags on

Terrestar exec tempers expectations for LEO satellites

Eastlink rolls out internet service in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador

Related Stories

Q&A: This think tank rated the Liberal AI strategy poorly for sovereignty. Here’s why

Liberals to introduce law guaranteeing ‘right to privacy’ on Monday

Young people polled on AI and deliver recommendations to government

Fraser hints deepfake regulations could extend into privacy law as opposition MPs say AI strategy lacks protection details

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Telecom |
By Paul Park
|June 22, 2026