{"id":484082,"date":"2021-04-29T07:06:46","date_gmt":"2021-04-29T11:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\/"},"modified":"2021-04-29T07:06:46","modified_gmt":"2021-04-29T11:06:46","slug":"bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\/","title":{"rendered":"BCE reports first quarter 2021 results"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"xn-newslines\">\n<p class=\"xn-distributor\">Canada NewsWire<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p>\n        <i>This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled &#8220;Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements&#8221; later in this news release<\/i><br \/>\n        <i>.<\/i>\n      <\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>\n          <b>BCE revenue grows 1.2%, adjusted EBITDA up 0.5%, representing the first quarter of growth since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis<\/b>\n        <\/li>\n<li>\n          <b>Broadband additions up 51% year over year \u2013 108,468 total combined wireless mobile phone and mobile connected device, retail Internet and IPTV net additions<\/b>\n        <\/li>\n<li>\n          <b>32,925 postpaid mobile phone net additions, up 31,366; net mobile connected device additions grew 51% to 74,159 <\/b>\n        <\/li>\n<li>\n          <b>21,208 retail Internet net additions with 12% Internet revenue growth; 10,696 IPTV net additions represent first quarter of year-over-year growth since Q1 2019<\/b>\n        <\/li>\n<li>\n          <b>Broadband network acceleration program under way with over <span class=\"xn-money\">$1 billion<\/span> in capital invested in Q1; on track to reach up to 6.9 million total fibre and WHI connections by year end <\/b>\n        <\/li>\n<li>\n          <b>Strong financial position with <span class=\"xn-money\">$6.5 billion<\/span> of available liquidity at the end of Q1; cash flows from operating activities up 37.3% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$1,992 million<\/span>, driving 54% higher year-over-year free cash flow of <span class=\"xn-money\">$940 million<\/span><\/b>\n        <\/li>\n<li>\n          <b>Net earnings of <span class=\"xn-money\">$687 million<\/span> with net earnings attributable to common shareholders of <span class=\"xn-money\">$642 million<\/span>, or <span class=\"xn-money\">$0.71<\/span> per common share; adjusted net earnings of <span class=\"xn-money\">$704 million<\/span> generated adjusted EPS of <span class=\"xn-money\">$0.78<\/span>, down 1.3%<\/b>\n        <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>MONTR\u00c9AL, <span class=\"xn-chron\">April 29, 2021<\/span> \/CNW Telbec\/ &#8211; BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE), (NYSE: BCE) today reported results for the first quarter (Q1), including the first quarter of positive revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, and significant progress in Bell&#8217;s broadband network acceleration program.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As we celebrate the 141<sup>st<\/sup> anniversary of Bell&#8217;s founding in Montr\u00e9al today, our Q1 results highlight how the Bell team continues to step up to support our customers and communities in 2021. Keeping the country connected and informed while building momentum in a recovering economy, Bell delivered continued sequential quarterly improvement in our results, including positive revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth for the first time since the beginning of the COVID crisis,&#8221; said <span class=\"xn-person\">Mirko Bibic<\/span>, President and CEO of BCE Inc. and <span class=\"xn-person\">Bell Canada<\/span>. &#8220;As we all deal with the ongoing social and economic challenges of COVID-19, Bell is focused on advancing how Canadians connect with each other and the world. Building the best networks, launching innovative services and delivering the most compelling content is supporting an improved growth trajectory for Canada&#8217;s largest communications company and delivering positive benefits for all our stakeholders.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The speed and quality of our networks, the exclusive services that leverage them and our team&#8217;s commitment to champion customer experience helped grow Bell&#8217;s broadband market share in Q1 with 108,468 net new mobile, retail Internet and IPTV customers \u2013 a 51% increase over Q1 last year \u2013 alongside continued leadership in traditional and digital media platforms,&#8221; said Mr. Bibic. &#8220;We&#8217;re building on this success with our accelerated fibre, rural and 5G network rollout program now under way to support Canada&#8217;s ongoing recovery and long-term broadband leadership, reflected in our significantly increased capital investment and network connection numbers in Q1, as we also continue to invest in our communities. Consistently ranked as one of Canada&#8217;s greenest companies and a key enabler of a sustainable economy, Bell is leading the way in international environmental certification and our commitment to carbon neutral operations in 2025. With the continuing crisis impacting the mental health of students across the country, Bell Let&#8217;s Talk was proud to invest in colleges and universities across the country to support their rollout of new mental health national standards for post-secondary students.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>KEY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS<\/b>\n      <\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Bell&#8217;s continued ESG leadership<br \/><\/b>Bell was again named one of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=342318871&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadastop100.com%2Fenvironmental%2F&amp;a=Canada%27s+Greenest+Employers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Canada&#8217;s Greenest Employers<\/a>, the only national communications provider to be ranked for a fifth straight year; became the first North American communications company to receive ISO 50001 certification for energy management; and announced our plan to achieve <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=4134024684&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FBell-planning-for-carbon-neutral-operations-in-2025-1%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D25&amp;a=carbon+neutral+operations+in+2025\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">carbon neutral operations in 2025<\/a>. Bell launched commercial availability of highly energy efficient <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2073300587&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FBell-Canada-rolls-out-commercial-400G-wavelength-on-fibre-optic-backbone%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D25&amp;a=400G+wavelength+service\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">400G wavelength service<\/a>\u00a0for cloud providers, data centre operators and others moving massive amounts of data; an innovative <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=3249492648&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FGIRAT-and-Bell-partnership-improves-mobile-coverage-in-Abitibi-T-miscamingue-1%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D25&amp;a=solar+powered+cell+site+project\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">solar powered cell site project<\/a> in Abitibi-T\u00e9miscamingue; and trials of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=4071580481&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lapresse.ca%2Faffaires%2F2021-03-17%2Fde-l-aluminium-d-ici-pour-les-tours-de-telecoms.php&amp;a=aluminium+tower+structures\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">aluminium tower structures<\/a> sourced from local materials in Saguenay. With COVID-19 heightening mental health impacts on students on campus and studying remotely across Canada, the Bell Let&#8217;s Talk Post-Secondary Fund\u00a0announced more than <span class=\"xn-money\">$3 million<\/span> in grants to 123 colleges and universities nationwide to support implementation of the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=1979387957&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FBell-Let-s-Talk-announces-increased-funding-for-post-secondary-student-mental-health-action-plans-1%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D25&amp;a=National+Standard+of+Canada+for+Mental+Health+and+Well-Being+for+Post-Secondary+Students\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students<\/a>\u00a0and the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=1109411558&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FBell-Let-s-Talk-Post-Secondary-Fund-supports-student-mental-health-in-Qu-bec-1%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D25&amp;a=Qu%C3%A9bec+Action+Plan+on+Student+Mental+Health+for+Higher+Education\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Qu\u00e9bec Action Plan on Student Mental Health for Higher Education<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Build the best networks: Top speeds, coverage acceleration<br \/><\/b>Executing our <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=338603619&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FBell-to-advance-fibre-wireless-and-rural-network-rollouts-with-at-least-1-billion-in-accelerated-capital-investment-over-the-next-2-years-1%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D25&amp;a=accelerated+network+investment+plan\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">accelerated network investment plan<\/a>, Bell increased capital expenditures by 30% compared to Q1 2020, delivering even more broadband connections to help enable Canada&#8217;s social and economic recovery from COVID-19. <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=588318074&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bell.ca%2Fnetwork&amp;a=Canada%27s+fastest-ranked+network\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Canada&#8217;s fastest-ranked network<\/a>, Bell 5G coverage grew to more than 30% of the national population in Q1, and we brought fibre and rural Wireless Home Internet access to 148,000 more homes and businesses. Bell announced new partnerships with the federal and provincial governments to bring broadband access to hard-to-serve areas, including Qu\u00e9bec&#8217;s <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2150723610&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quebec.ca%2Fgouv%2Fministeres-et-organismes%2Fsihv%2Foperation-haute-vitesse%23%3A%7E%3Atext%3DDonner%2520acc%25C3%25A8s%2520%25C3%25A0%2520Internet%2520haute%2Cpriorit%25C3%25A9%2520du%2520gouvernement%2520du%2520Qu%25C3%25A9bec.%26text%3DLa%2520strat%25C3%25A9gie%2520Op%25C3%25A9ration%2520Haute%2520vitesse%2520vise%2520%25C3%25A0%2520rem%25C3%25A9dier%2520%25C3%25A0%2520cette%2520situation.&amp;a=Operation+High+Speed\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Operation High Speed<\/a> project, the federal\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2060372105&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ic.gc.ca%2Feic%2Fsite%2F139.nsf%2Feng%2Fh_00006.html&amp;a=Universal+Broadband+Fund\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Universal Broadband Fund<\/a>\u00a0and multiple initiatives in <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=1444401511&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.canada.ca%2Fen%2Finnovation-science-economic-development%2Fnews%2F2021%2F04%2Fgovernment-of-canada-invests-over-379000-to-bring-high-speed-internet-to-1184-homes-in-rural-newfoundland-and-labrador-through-the-universal-broadb.html&amp;a=Atlantic+Canada\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span class=\"xn-location\">Atlantic Canada<\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Driving growth with innovative services<br \/><\/b>Leading the way in 5G service innovation, we launched <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=3504314197&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FTSN-and-RDS-Launch-Immersive-In-Game-5G-Experience-Letting-Hockey-Fans-Control-the-Angle-on-Every-Play%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D25&amp;a=TSN+5G+View+%2F+Vision+5G+RDS\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TSN 5G View \/ Vision 5G RDS<\/a>, an immersive in-game sports viewing experience powered by the Bell 5G network. The feature lets fans control how they watch the action directly from their Bell smartphones, including Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs home games, while enhancing TSN and RDS broadcasts with announcer and analyst up-close access through the service&#8217;s 80 in-arena cameras. Bell and Honda Canada announced a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=1610592855&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FBell-and-Honda-Canada-announce-new-connected-car-partnership-1%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D25&amp;a=new+connected+car+partnership\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">new connected car partnership<\/a> equipping Honda and Acura vehicles with Built-in Wi-Fi hotspots powered by the Bell LTE network.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Champion customer experience<br \/><\/b>Our focus on making it easier to do business with Bell continues to drive industry-leading improvement <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2424781787&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FBell-s-imperative-to-champion-customer-experience-drives-industry-leading-improvement-in-CCTS-performance-1%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D25&amp;a=according+to+the+mid-year+report\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">according to the mid-year report<\/a> from the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services (CCTS). For 6 years in a row, Bell has led all major Canadian carriers in reducing customer complaints to the CCTS \u2013 which again dropped 17% from <span class=\"xn-chron\">August 2020<\/span> to <span class=\"xn-chron\">January 2021<\/span>. Our high-profile support for customers and communities throughout the COVID crisis is reflected in Bell remaining the most valuable communications brand in <span class=\"xn-location\">Canada<\/span> in the latest <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=3227014666&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbrandirectory.com%2Frankings%2Fcanada%2Ftable&amp;a=Brand+Finance\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Brand Finance<\/a> report. <\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Deliver the most compelling content<br \/><\/b>Leveraging our content and digital leadership, Bell Media and AT&amp;T&#8217;s <u><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2285887611&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellmedia.ca%2Fthe-lede%2Fnews%2F%3Fsection%3Dpr%26network_id%3D0%26show%3D0%26after%3D2021-04-28%26before%3D2021-04-28%26search%3D&amp;a=Xandr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Xandr<\/a><\/u>\u00a0are working together to deliver Canada&#8217;s first digital self-serve platform for advertisers. Accelerating media innovation in Qu\u00e9bec, Noovo launched the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2053071566&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Fnews-and-media%2Freleases%2Fshow%2FNoovo-Info-Introducing-Bell-Media-s-French-language-News-Service-1%3Fpage%3D1%26month%3D%26year%3D%26perpage%3D100&amp;a=Noovo+Info\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Noovo Info<\/a> news service, lifestyle destination <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=1261402586&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.noovomoi.ca%2F&amp;a=NoovoMoi.ca\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">NoovoMoi.ca<\/a> and the enhanced <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2908064083&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellmedia.ca%2Fthe-lede%2Fpress%2Fbell-media-unveils-its-brand-new-online-viewing-destination-noovo-ca-and-noovo-app%2F&amp;a=Noovo.ca+and+new+Noovo+A\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Noovo.ca and new Noovo A<\/a>pp, offering over 5,000 hours of French-language content from Bell Media channels. High-demand programming like <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=1106661957&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellmedia.ca%2Fthe-lede%2Fpress%2Fzack-snyders-justice-league-crushes-canada-becoming-the-most-popular-title-in-crave-history%2F&amp;a=Zack+Snyder%27s+Justice+League%2C+the+%231+title+ever+on+Crave\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span class=\"xn-person\">Zack Snyder&#8217;s<\/span><span class=\"xn-person\">Justice League<\/span>, the #1 title ever on Crave<\/a> boosted total Crave subscribers 12% year over year to 2.9 million, while <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=881490910&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellmedia.ca%2Fthe-lede%2Fpress%2Fsuper-bowl-lv-becomes-third-biggest-on-record-with-8-8-million-viewers-on-ctv-tsn-and-rds%2F&amp;a=Super+Bowl+LV\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Super Bowl LV<\/a> attracted the big game&#8217;s third-largest Canadian audience ever on CTV, TSN and RDS. Bell and our production partners <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=3180168826&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellmedia.ca%2Fthe-lede%2Fpress%2Fbell-media-congratulates-tv-and-film-production-partners-on-181-nominations-for-the-2021-canadian-screen-awards%2F&amp;a=received+181+nominations+for+the+2021+Canadian+Screen+Awards\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">received 181 nominations for the 2021 Canadian Screen Awards<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>BCE Q1 RESULTS<\/b>\n      <\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Financial Highlights <\/b>\n      <\/p>\n<div>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"1\" class=\"prntblns\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prnsbts prnsbr1 prnvab prnsbbs prnpl6 prnsbls prnpr6\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">($ millions except per share amounts) (unaudited)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen5\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\"><br \/>\n                  <b>Q1 2021<\/b><br \/>\n                <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen5\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\"><br \/>\n                  <b>Q1 2020<\/b><br \/>\n                <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen6\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\"><br \/>\n                  <b>% change<\/b><br \/>\n                <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\"><br \/>\n                  <b>BCE<\/b><br \/>\n                <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prnsbt1 prnrbrs prnvab prnsbb1 prntar prnpl6 prnsbl1 prnpr14\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Operating revenues<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">5,706<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">5,640<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen10\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">1.2%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Net earnings<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">687<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">733<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen11\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(6.3%)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Net earnings attributable to common shareholders<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">642<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">680<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen11\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(5.6%)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Adjusted net earnings<sup>(1)<\/sup><\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">704<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">714<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen11\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(1.4%)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Adjusted EBITDA<sup>(2)<\/sup><\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">2,429<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">2,418<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen10\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.5%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Net earnings per common share (EPS)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.71<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.75<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen11\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(5.3%)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Adjusted EPS<sup>(1)<\/sup><\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.78<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.79<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen11\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(1.3%)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Cash flows from operating activities<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">1,992<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">1,451<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen10\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">37.3%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Capital expenditures<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen12\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(1,012)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen12\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(777)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen11\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(30.2%)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prnsbt1 prnsbr1 prnvab prnsbbs prnpl6 prnsbls prnpr6\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Free cash flow<sup>(3)<\/sup><\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen14\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">940<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen14\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">611<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen15\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">53.8%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Bell&#8217;s Q1 results represent a promising start to the year, reflecting significantly better performance trajectories and steady sequential quarterly improvement across all our business segments,&#8221; said <span class=\"xn-person\">Glen LeBlanc<\/span>, Chief Financial Officer for BCE and <span class=\"xn-person\">Bell Canada<\/span>. &#8220;Bell&#8217;s strengthening performance, including ongoing strong free cash flow generation, further solidified our very healthy financial position, with <span class=\"xn-money\">$6.5 billion<\/span> of available liquidity at the end of Q1 and a historic pension plan solvency surplus position that bodes well for the possibility of a pension contribution holiday on our larger defined benefits plans in the near future. As we re-confirm our guidance targets for 2021. Bell is well positioned to execute our network acceleration plans, including participation in the upcoming federal 5G spectrum auction, while delivering sustainable dividend growth to our shareholders.&#8221;<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>BCE delivered positive operating revenue growth in Q1 despite the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on consumer and commercial activity. Total operating revenue was up 1.2% over Q1 2020 to <span class=\"xn-money\">$5,706 million<\/span>, driven by 18.6% growth in product revenue to <span class=\"xn-money\">$738 million<\/span> from increased sales of premium mobile phones and business telecom data equipment. Service revenue declined 1.0% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$4,968 million<\/span>, due mainly to year-over-year declines in wireless roaming, media advertising and business customer spending on wireline services. <\/li>\n<li>Net earnings declined 6.3% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$687 million<\/span> and net earnings attributable to common shareholders totalled <span class=\"xn-money\">$642 million<\/span>, or <span class=\"xn-money\">$0.71<\/span> per share, down 5.6% and 5.3% respectively. The decreases were due to higher severance, acquisition and other costs as well as higher depreciation and amortization expense, partly offset by higher adjusted EBITDA and higher other income. <\/li>\n<li>Adjusted net earnings were <span class=\"xn-money\">$704 million<\/span>, or <span class=\"xn-money\">$0.78<\/span> per common share, down 1.4% and 1.3% respectively from <span class=\"xn-money\">$714 million<\/span>, or <span class=\"xn-money\">$0.79<\/span> per common share, in Q1 2020. <\/li>\n<li>Adjusted EBITDA grew 0.5% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$2,429 million<\/span>, driven by a 2.1% increase at Bell Wireline and partly offset by declines of 0.5% at Bell Wireless and 7.7% at Bell Media. BCE&#8217;s consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 0.3 percentage points to 42.6%, due to the flow-through impact of lower year-over-year service revenue and higher low-margin product sales. <\/li>\n<li>BCE capital expenditures increased 30.2% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$1,012 million<\/span> for a capital intensity<sup>(4)<\/sup> ratio of 17.7%, compared to 13.8% in Q1 2020. The year-over-year increase in capital spending is consistent with our 2-year program to accelerate the rollout of Bell&#8217;s broadband fibre and Wireless Home Internet networks and the expansion of mobile 5G. <\/li>\n<li>BCE cash flows from operating activities totalled <span class=\"xn-money\">$1,992 million<\/span>, up 37.3% from Q1 2020. The increase was driven by higher cash from working capital and lower income taxes. <\/li>\n<li>Free cash flow increased 53.8% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$940 million<\/span>, compared to <span class=\"xn-money\">$611 million<\/span> in Q1 2020, due to higher cash flows from operating activities, excluding cash from discontinued operations and acquisition and other costs paid, partly offset by higher capital expenditures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <b>BCE OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT<\/b>\n      <\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Bell Wireless<br \/><\/b>Effective <span class=\"xn-chron\">January 1, 2021<\/span>, we changed our reporting of wireless subscriber results and associated operating metrics, such as ABPU and churn, to disclose mobile phones and mobile connected devices, which includes IoT devices, separately. For comparability, we have restated our 2020 quarterly wireless subscriber results and related operating metrics where applicable to reflect these changes. Our revised reporting reflects our strategic focus on higher-value mobile phone subscribers, enhances the transparency of our wireless subscriber metrics disclosure and aligns with industry peers.<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Total wireless operating revenue increased 3.2% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$2,100 million<\/span>. <\/li>\n<li>Service revenue was down 2.1% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$1,514 million<\/span>, the result of lower roaming revenue due to decreased travel during COVID-19, and reduced data overage as customers continued to adopt plans with higher data thresholds, including unlimited and shareable options. <\/li>\n<li>Product revenue increased 20.1% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$586 million<\/span>, reflecting a greater sales mix of premium mobile phones and stronger year-over-year consumer electronic sales at The Source, including significantly increased online shopping. <\/li>\n<li>Reflecting the decreases in high-margin roaming and data overage revenue, wireless adjusted EBITDA decreased 0.5% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$923 million<\/span>, resulting in a 1.6 percentage-point drop in margin to 44.0%. <\/li>\n<li>Bell added 2,405 total net new postpaid and prepaid mobile phone customers<sup>(4)<\/sup>, compared to a net loss of 2,496 in Q1 last year. <\/li>\n<li>Postpaid mobile phone net additions totalled 32,925, up from 1,559 in Q1 2020. The significant year-over-year improvement reflects an 18.8% increase in gross additions, due to our emphasis on higher-value accretive smartphone transactions and higher sales through direct channels. Postpaid mobile phone customer churn remained stable at 0.89%. <\/li>\n<li>Bell&#8217;s prepaid mobile phone base decreased by 30,520 net subscribers, compared to a net loss of 4,055 in Q1 2020. Lower overall market activity reflected a slowdown in immigration and international travel to Canada during COVID-19, as well as reduced retail store traffic, resulting in 26.5% fewer gross additions compared to last year. Mobile phone prepaid customer churn improved 0.35 percentage points to 4.68%. <\/li>\n<li>Bell&#8217;s mobile phone customer base totalled 9,166,748 at the end of Q1, a 2.2% increase over last year, comprising 8,361,264 postpaid subscribers, up 2.3%, and 805,484 prepaid customers, up 1.5%. <\/li>\n<li>Mobile phone blended average billing per user (ABPU) decreased 3.4% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$70.34<\/span>, reflecting reduced roaming and reductions in data overage revenue. <\/li>\n<li>Mobile connected device net activations increased 51.5% to 74,159 with increased demand for Bell IoT solutions, including connected car subscriptions. Mobile connected device subscribers totalled 2,130,312 at the end of Q1, an increase of 13.5% over last year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <b>Bell Wireline<\/b>\n      <\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Total wireline operating revenue increased 1.5% in Q1 to <span class=\"xn-money\">$3,081 million<\/span>. <\/li>\n<li>Despite lower spending by large business customers and volume declines in small business due to COVID-19, wireline service revenue was up 0.9% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$2,927 million<\/span> as Internet revenue increased 12% over last year. <\/li>\n<li>Product revenue increased 14.1% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$154 million<\/span> compared to Q1 2020, due mainly to higher sales of data equipment to the government sector. <\/li>\n<li>Wireline adjusted EBITDA grew 2.1% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$1,363 million<\/span>, reflecting the flow-through of higher year-over-year revenue. This drove a 0.2 percentage-point improvement in margin to 44.2%. Consistent with the year-over-year growth in revenue, operating costs increased 1.0%. <\/li>\n<li>Bell added 21,208 new retail Internet customers, compared to 22,595 in Q1 2020. Within Bell&#8217;s direct fibre footprint, retail Internet net additions were 36,806, up 43.2%. Retail Internet customers totalled 3,730,576 at the end of Q1, a 4.3% increase over Q1 last year. <\/li>\n<li>Bell TV added 10,696 net new retail IPTV subscribers, up from 2,852 in Q1 2020, representing our first quarter of year-over-year growth in 2 years. The positive result reflects improved Bell Fibe TV performance, strong demand for the new Virgin TV service and lower customer churn, particularly in our IPTV fibre footprint. <\/li>\n<li>Retail satellite TV net customer losses improved 7.5% to 19,808, due to fewer customer deactivations during COVID-19 and improved small business net activations. <\/li>\n<li>At the end of Q1, Bell had a combined total of 2,723,368 retail IPTV and satellite TV subscribers, down 1.1% from Q1 2020. <\/li>\n<li>Retail residential NAS net losses improved 17.1% to 51,069, reflecting fewer customer deactivations during COVID-19. Bell&#8217;s retail residential NAS customer base totalled 2,432,863 at the end of Q1, a 7.7% decline from last year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <b>Bell Media<\/b>\n      <\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Media operating revenue decreased 5.2% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$713 million<\/span>, due to continued weak advertiser spending in out of home and radio, partly offset by higher year-over-year TV advertising driven by stronger sports and news specialty performance, and the incremental contribution from our French-language network Noovo. <\/li>\n<li>Subscriber revenue was slightly lower compared to Q1 2020, due to the timing of contract renewals with some Canadian TV distributors that was largely offset by higher revenue from Crave streaming subscriber growth. Crave subscribers increased 12% over last year to surpass 2.9 million total customers in Q1. <\/li>\n<li>TSN remained Canada&#8217;s #1 sports network and top specialty channel overall in Q1, and made history with the first all-female broadcast team of an NBA game in March; RDS remained the top French-language sports network with strong growth in key audiences. <\/li>\n<li>Noovo also grew its market share with key demographics by 3.7 points and increased primetime viewership by 34%. <\/li>\n<li>Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.7% to <span class=\"xn-money\">$143 million<\/span> due to the flow-through impact of lower revenue, resulting in a 0.5 percentage point reduction in margin to 20.1%. This was partly offset by a 4.5% improvement in operating costs, reflecting TV production shutdowns and delays, labour savings and the temporary waiving of CRTC Part I and Part II broadcasting licence fees due to COVID-19.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <b>COMMON SHARE DIVIDEND<br \/><\/b>BCE&#8217;s Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of <span class=\"xn-money\">$0.875<\/span> per common share, payable on <span class=\"xn-chron\">July 15, 2021<\/span> to shareholders of record at the close of business on <span class=\"xn-chron\">June 15, 2021<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>OUTLOOK FOR 2021<br \/><\/b>BCE confirmed its financial guidance targets for 2021, as provided on <span class=\"xn-chron\">February 4, 2021<\/span>, as follows:<\/p>\n<div>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"1\" class=\"prntblns\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prnsbts prnrbrs prnvab prnsbbs prntar prnpl6 prnsbls prnpr6\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen17\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\"><br \/>\n                  <b>February 4<br \/>\u00a0Guidance<\/b><br \/>\n                <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen17\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\"><br \/>\n                  <b>April 29<\/b><br \/>\n                <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\"><br \/>\n                  <b>Guidance<\/b><br \/>\n                <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen18\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Revenue growth<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">2% \u2013 5%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">On track<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen18\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Adjusted EBITDA growth<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">2% \u2013 5%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">On track<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen18\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Capital intensity<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">18% \u2013 20%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">On track<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen18\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Adjusted EPS growth<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">1% \u2013 6%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">On track<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen18\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Free cash flow ($M)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">$2,850 \u2013 $3,200<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">On track<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen18\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Annualized common dividend per share<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">$3.50<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen19\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">$3.50<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>Due to uncertainties relating to the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the current resurgence and possible future resurgences in the number of COVID-19 cases, and various potential outcomes, it is difficult at this time to estimate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business or future financial results and related assumptions. Our business and financial results could continue to be significantly and negatively impacted in future periods. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to adversely impact us will depend on future developments that are difficult to predict, including the prevalence of COVID-19 variants that are more contagious and may lead to increased health risks, the timely distribution of effective vaccines and treatments, and the potential development and distribution of new vaccines and treatments, as well as new information which may emerge concerning the severity, duration and resurgences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions required to contain the coronavirus or remedy its impacts, among others. Please see the section entitled &#8220;Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements&#8221; later in this news release for a description of the principal assumptions on which BCE&#8217;s 2021 financial guidance targets are based, as well as the principal related risk factors.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>CALL WITH FINANCIAL ANALYSTS<br \/><\/b>BCE will hold a conference call for financial analysts to discuss Q1 2021 results on <span class=\"xn-chron\">Thursday, April 29<\/span> at <span class=\"xn-chron\">8:00 am<\/span> eastern. Media are welcome to participate on a listen-only basis. To participate, please dial toll-free 1-800-806-5484 or 416-340-2217 and enter passcode 9028147#. A replay will be available until midnight on <span class=\"xn-chron\">May 29, 2021<\/span> by dialing 1-800-408-3053 or 905-694-9451 and entering passcode 1119668#.<\/p>\n<p>A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available on BCE&#8217;s website at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2859094779&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbce.ca%2Finvestors%2Fevents%2Fshow%2Fbce-q1-2021-results-conference-call&amp;a=BCE+Q1-2021+conference+call\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">BCE Q1-2021 conference call<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>NOTES<br \/><\/b>The information contained in this news release is unaudited.<\/p>\n<p>(1) The terms adjusted net earnings and adjusted EPS do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, they are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. We define adjusted net earnings as net earnings attributable to common shareholders before severance, acquisition and other costs, net mark-to-market losses (gains) on derivatives used to economically hedge equity settled share-based compensation plans, net losses (gains) on investments, early debt redemption costs, impairment of assets and discontinued operations, net of tax and non-controlling interest (NCI). We define adjusted EPS as adjusted net earnings per BCE common share. We use adjusted net earnings and adjusted EPS, and we believe certain investors and analysts use these measures, among other ones, to assess the performance of our businesses without the effects of severance, acquisition and other costs, net mark-to-market losses (gains) on derivatives used to economically hedge equity settled share-based compensation plans, net losses (gains) on investments, early debt redemption costs, impairment of assets and discontinued operations, net of tax and NCI. We exclude these items because they affect the comparability of our financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. Excluding these items does not imply they are non-recurring. The most comparable IFRS financial measures are net earnings attributable to common shareholders and EPS. The following table is a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to common shareholders and EPS to adjusted net earnings on a consolidated basis and per BCE common share (adjusted EPS), respectively.<\/p>\n<p>($ millions except per share amounts)<\/p>\n<div>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" class=\"prnbcc\">\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen20\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prnsbts prnsbr1 prnvab prnsbbs prntac prnpl6 prnsbl1 prnpr6\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Q1 2021<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen17\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Q1 2020<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prnsbt1 prnsbr1 prnvab prnsbbs prntar prnpl6 prnsbls prnpr8\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" class=\"prngen23\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">\u00a0 TOTAL<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" class=\"prngen23\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">\u00a0 PER SHARE <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" class=\"prngen23\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TOTAL<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" class=\"prngen15\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">PER SHARE <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Net earnings attributable to common shareholders<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen12 prnpr8\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">642<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen24\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.71<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen24\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">680<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen25\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.75<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Severance, acquisition and other costs<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">65<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.07<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">12<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen25\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.01<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Net mark-to-market (gains) losses \u00a0on derivatives\u00a0used to <br \/>economically hedge equity settled share-based compensation plans<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen27\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(44)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen27\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(0.04)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">20<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen25\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.03<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Net gains on investments<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">&#8211;<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">&#8211;<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen27\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(10)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen10\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(0.01)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Early debt redemption costs<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">39<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.04<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">12<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen25\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.01<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Impairment of assets<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">2<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">&#8211;<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">5<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen25\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.01<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Net earnings from discontinued operations<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">&#8211;<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">&#8211;<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen27\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(5)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen10\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(0.01)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" class=\"prngen28\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Adjusted net earnings<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen29\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">704<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen29\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.78<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen29\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">714<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen30\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">0.79<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen24\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen24\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen24\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen24\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen24\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen24\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>(2) The terms adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, they are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. We define adjusted EBITDA as operating revenues less operating costs, as shown in BCE&#8217;s consolidated income statements. Adjusted EBITDA for BCE&#8217;s segments is the same as segment profit as reported in Note 3, <i>Segmented information<\/i>, in BCE&#8217;s Q1 2021 consolidated Financial Statements. We define adjusted EBITDA margin as adjusted EBITDA divided by operating revenues. We use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin to evaluate the performance of our businesses as they reflect their ongoing profitability. We believe certain investors and analysts use adjusted EBITDA to measure a company&#8217;s ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations or as a common measurement to value companies in the telecommunications industry. We believe that certain investors and analysts also use adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin to evaluate the performance of our businesses. Adjusted EBITDA is also one component in the determination of short-term incentive compensation for all management employees. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin have no directly comparable IFRS financial measure. Alternatively, the following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted EBITDA.<\/p>\n<p>($ millions)<\/p>\n<div>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" class=\"prnsbt0 prnsbr0 prnbcc prnsbb0 prnsbl0\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prnsbts prnrbrb0 prnvab prnsbbs prntar prnpl6 prnsblb0 prnpr14\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen32\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Q1 2021<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen32\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Q1 2020<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Net earnings<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">687<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">733<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Severance, acquisition and other costs<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">89<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">16<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Depreciation<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">895<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">858<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Amortization<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">238<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">230<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Finance costs<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnml10\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Interest expense<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">267<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">277<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnml10\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Interest on post-employment benefit obligations<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">5<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">12<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Impairment of assets<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">3<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">7<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Other (income) expense<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prnsbtb0 prnrbrb0 prnvab prnsbtb0 prntar prnpl6 prnsblb0 prnpr6\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(8)\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">47<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen33\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Income taxes<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">253<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen34\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">243<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen36\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Net earnings from discontinued operations<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen37\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">&#8211;<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen38\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(5)\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prnsbtb0 prnrbrb0 prnvab prnsbbd prnpl6 prnsblb0 prnpr6\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Adjusted EBITDA<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen40\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">2,429<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen40\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">2,418<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen36\">\n<p class=\"prnml10\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">BCE operating revenues<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen37\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">5,706<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen37\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">5,640<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen36\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Adjusted EBITDA margin<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen38\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">42.6%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen38\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">42.9%<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>(3) The term free cash flow does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS. Therefore, it is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. We define free cash flow as cash flows from operating activities, excluding cash from discontinued operations, acquisition and other costs paid (which include significant litigation costs) and voluntary pension funding, less capital expenditures, preferred share dividends and dividends paid by subsidiaries to NCI. We exclude cash from discontinued operations, acquisition and other costs paid and voluntary pension funding because they affect the comparability of our financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. Excluding these items does not imply they are non-recurring. We consider free cash flow to be an important indicator of the financial strength and performance of our businesses because it shows how much cash is available to pay dividends on common shares, repay debt and reinvest in our company. We believe certain investors and analysts use free cash flow to value a business and its underlying assets and to evaluate the financial strength and performance of our businesses. The most comparable IFRS financial measure is cash flows from operating activities. The following table is a reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities to free cash flow on a consolidated basis.<\/p>\n<p>($ millions)<\/p>\n<div>\n<table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" class=\"prnbcc\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen20\">\n              \n            <\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen5\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Q1 2021<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen6\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Q1 2020<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Cash flows from operating activities<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen24\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">1,992<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen25\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">1,451<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Capital\u00a0expenditures\u00a0<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen27\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(1,012)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen10\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(777)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Cash dividends paid on preferred shares<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen27\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(31)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen10\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(36)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Cash dividends paid by subsidiaries to NCI<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen27\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(13)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen10\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(14)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Acquisition and other costs paid<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">4<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen25\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">9<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen7\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Cash from discontinued operations (included in cash flows from operating activities)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen26\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">&#8211;<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen10\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">(22)<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen28\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">Free cash flow <\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen29\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">940<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen30\">\n<p class=\"prnews_p\">\n                <span class=\"prnews_span\">611<\/span>\n              <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>(4)\u00a0We use ABPU, churn, capital intensity and subscriber units to measure the success of our strategic imperatives. These key performance indicators are not accounting measures and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS <br \/><\/b>Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements. These statements include, without limitation, statements relating to BCE&#8217;s financial guidance (including revenues, adjusted EBITDA, capital intensity, adjusted EPS and free cash flow), BCE&#8217;s 2021 annualized common share dividend, BCE&#8217;s network deployment and capital investment plans, including its two-year increased capital investment program to accelerate broadband network and 5G footprint expansion, the potential impacts on our business, financial condition, liquidity and financial results of the COVID-19 pandemic, our post-employment benefit plans funding, BCE&#8217;s business outlook, objectives, plans and strategic priorities, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the words <i>assumption, goal, guidance, objective, outlook, project, strategy, target <\/i>and other similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as <i>aim, anticipate, believe, could, expect, intend, may, plan, seek, should, strive <\/i>and <i>will<\/i>. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the &#8216;safe harbour&#8217; provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of <span class=\"xn-location\">the United States<\/span><i>Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements and that our business outlook, objectives, plans and strategic priorities may not be achieved. 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 as of <span class=\"xn-chron\">April 29, 2021<\/span> 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. From time to time, we consider potential acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, business combinations, investments, monetizations, joint ventures and other transactions, some of which may be significant. Except as otherwise indicated by us, forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any such transactions or of special items that may be announced or that may occur after <span class=\"xn-chron\">April 29, 2021<\/span>. The financial impact of these transactions and special items can be complex and depends on the facts particular to each of them. We therefore cannot describe the expected impact in a meaningful way or in the same way we present known risks affecting our business. Forward-looking statements are presented in this news release for the purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding certain key elements of our expected financial results, as well as our objectives, strategic priorities and business outlook, and in obtaining a better understanding of our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Material Assumptions<br \/><\/b>A number of economic, market, operational and financial assumptions were made by BCE in preparing its forward-looking statements contained in this news release, including, but not limited to the following:<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b><br \/>\n          <i>Canadian Economic Assumptions<br \/><\/i><br \/>\n        <\/b>Our forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions concerning the Canadian economy, which in turn depend on important assumptions about how the COVID-19 pandemic will evolve, including the progress of the global vaccination rollout. Notably, it is assumed that broad immunity is achieved by mid-2021 in the U.S.; later in 2021 in <span class=\"xn-location\">Canada<\/span>, other advanced economies and <span class=\"xn-location\">China<\/span>; and in 2022 in other emerging-market economies. In particular, we have assumed:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Strong rebound in economic growth as the economy recovers from the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, given the Bank of Canada&#8217;s most recent estimated growth in Canadian gross domestic product of around 6.5% on average in 2021, representing an increase from the earlier estimate of around 4% <\/li>\n<li>Improving consumer confidence as vaccinations roll out and restrictions are eased <\/li>\n<li>Strengthening business investment outside the oil and gas sector as uncertainty recedes <\/li>\n<li>Employment gains expected in 2021, despite ongoing challenges in some sectors <\/li>\n<li>Accelerating trend toward e-commerce <\/li>\n<li>Low immigration levels until international travel and\/or health-related restrictions are lifted <\/li>\n<li>Prevailing low interest rates expected to remain at or near current levels for the foreseeable future <\/li>\n<li>Canadian dollar expected to remain at or near current levels. Further movements may be impacted by the degree of strength of the U.S. dollar, interest rates and changes in commodity prices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <b><br \/>\n          <i>Canadian Market Assumptions<br \/><\/i><br \/>\n        <\/b>Our forward-looking statements also reflect various Canadian market assumptions. In particular, we have made the following market assumptions:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>A consistently high level of wireline and wireless competition in consumer, business and wholesale markets <\/li>\n<li>Higher, but slowing, wireless industry penetration <\/li>\n<li>A shrinking data and voice connectivity market as business customers migrate to lower-priced traditional telecommunications solutions or alternative OTT competitors <\/li>\n<li>While the advertising market continues to be adversely impacted by cancelled or delayed advertising campaigns from many sectors due to the economic downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic, we do expect gradual recovery in 2021 <\/li>\n<li>Declines in broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDU) subscribers driven by increasing competition from the continued rollout of subscription video on demand (SVOD) streaming services together with further scaling of OTT aggregators<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <b><br \/>\n          <i>Assumptions Concerning our Bell Wireless Segment<\/i><br \/>\n        <\/b>\n      <\/p>\n<p>Our forward-looking statements are also based on the following internal operational assumptions with respect to our Bell Wireless segment:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Maintain our market share of national operators&#8217; wireless postpaid net additions <\/li>\n<li>Continued growth of our prepaid subscriber base <\/li>\n<li>Continued adoption of smartphone devices, tablets and data applications, as well as the introduction of more 5G, 4G LTE and LTE Advanced devices and new data services <\/li>\n<li>Continued deployment of 5G wireless network offering coverage that is competitive with other national operators in centres across Canada <\/li>\n<li>Improvement in subscriber acquisition and retention spending, enabled by increasing adoption of device financing plans <\/li>\n<li>Unfavourable impact on mobile phone blended ABPU, driven by reduced outbound roaming revenue due to travel restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced data overage revenue due to continued adoption of unlimited plans and the impact of a higher prepaid mix in our overall subscriber base <\/li>\n<li>Increased adoption of unlimited data plans and device financing plans <\/li>\n<li>No material financial, operational or competitive consequences of changes in regulations affecting our wireless business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <b><br \/>\n          <i>Assumptions Concerning our Bell Wireline Segment<br \/><\/i><br \/>\n        <\/b>Our forward-looking statements are also based on the following internal operational assumptions with respect to our Bell Wireline segment:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Continued growth in retail Internet and IPTV subscribers <\/li>\n<li>Increasing wireless and Internet-based technological substitution <\/li>\n<li>Continued aggressive residential service bundle offers from cable TV competitors in our local wireline areas <\/li>\n<li>Continued large business customer migration to IP-based systems <\/li>\n<li>Ongoing competitive repricing pressures in our business and wholesale markets <\/li>\n<li>Continued competitive intensity in our small and medium-sized business markets as cable operators and other telecommunications competitors continue to intensify their focus on business customers <\/li>\n<li>Traditional high-margin product categories challenged by large global cloud and OTT providers of business voice and data solutions expanding into Canada with on-demand services <\/li>\n<li>Accelerating customer adoption of OTT services resulting in downsizing of TV packages <\/li>\n<li>Further deployment of direct fibre to more homes and businesses within our wireline footprint and fixed WTTP technology in rural communities <\/li>\n<li>Growing consumption of OTT TV services and on-demand streaming video, as well as the proliferation of devices, such as tablets, that consume large quantities of bandwidth, will require ongoing capital investment <\/li>\n<li>Realization of cost savings related to management workforce reductions including attrition and retirements, lower contracted rates from our suppliers, operating efficiencies enabled by a growing direct fibre footprint, changes in consumer behaviour and product innovation, new call centre technology that is enabling self-serve capabilities, and other improvements to the customer service experience <\/li>\n<li>No material financial, operational or competitive consequences of changes in regulations affecting our wireline business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <b><br \/>\n          <i>Assumptions Concerning our Bell Media Segment<br \/><\/i><br \/>\n        <\/b>Our forward-looking statements are also based on the following internal operational assumptions with respect to our Bell Media segment:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Overall revenue is expected to reflect a gradual economic recovery in 2021 combined with subscriber revenue growth and strategic pricing on advertising sales. However, revenue performance is expected to continue to be negatively impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on many sectors of the economy. <\/li>\n<li>Continued escalation of media content costs to secure quality programming, as well as the return of sports and entertainment programming; however, in the short term, savings can still be expected due to production delays, shortened sports seasons, and possible cancellations from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic <\/li>\n<li>Continued scaling of Crave through broader content offering and user experience improvements <\/li>\n<li>Investment in Noovo news and more French-language original content to better serve our French-language customers with a wider array of content, in the language of their choice, on their preferred platforms <\/li>\n<li>Enhanced market-leading attribution through our Strategic Audience Management (SAM) tool <\/li>\n<li>Ability to successfully acquire and produce highly rated programming and differentiated content <\/li>\n<li>Building and maintaining strategic supply arrangements for content across all screens and platforms <\/li>\n<li>Continued monetization of content rights and Bell Media properties across all platforms <\/li>\n<li>No material financial, operational or competitive consequences of changes in regulations affecting our media business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n        <b><br \/>\n          <i>Financial Assumptions Concerning BCE<br \/><\/i><br \/>\n        <\/b>Our forward-looking statements are also based on the following\u00a0internal financial assumptions with respect to BCE for 2021:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Total post-employment benefit plans cost to be approximately <span class=\"xn-money\">$300 million<\/span>, based on an estimated accounting discount rate of 2.6%, comprised of an estimated above adjusted EBITDA post-employment benefit plans service cost of approximately <span class=\"xn-money\">$275 million<\/span> and an estimated below adjusted EBITDA net post-employment benefit plans financing cost of approximately <span class=\"xn-money\">$25 million<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Increase in depreciation and amortization expense of approximately <span class=\"xn-money\">$200 million<\/span> to <span class=\"xn-money\">$250 million<\/span> compared to 2020 <\/li>\n<li>Interest expense and payments of approximately <span class=\"xn-money\">$1,050 million<\/span> to <span class=\"xn-money\">$1,100 million<\/span><\/li>\n<li>An effective tax rate of approximately 27% <\/li>\n<li>NCI of approximately <span class=\"xn-money\">$60 million<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Total cash pension and other post-employment benefit plan funding of approximately <span class=\"xn-money\">$350 million<\/span> to <span class=\"xn-money\">$375 million<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Cash income taxes of approximately <span class=\"xn-money\">$800 million<\/span> to <span class=\"xn-money\">$900 million<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Average number of BCE common shares outstanding of approximately 905 million <\/li>\n<li>An annual common share dividend of <span class=\"xn-money\">$3.50<\/span> per share<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The foregoing assumptions, although considered reasonable by BCE on <span class=\"xn-chron\">April 29, 2021<\/span>, may prove to be inaccurate. Accordingly, our actual results could differ materially from our expectations as set forth in this news release.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Material Risks<br \/><\/b>Important risk factors that could cause our assumptions and estimates to be inaccurate and actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements, including our 2021 financial guidance, are listed below. The realization of our forward-looking statements, including our ability to meet our 2021 financial guidance targets, essentially depends on our business performance, which, in turn, is subject to many risks. Accordingly, readers are cautioned that any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to: the COVID-19 pandemic and the adverse effects from the emergency measures implemented or to be implemented as a result thereof, as well as other pandemics, epidemics and other health risks; adverse economic and financial market conditions, a declining level of retail and commercial activity, and the resulting negative impact on the demand for, and prices of, our products and services; the intensity of competitive activity including from new and emerging competitors; the level of technological substitution and the presence of alternative service providers contributing to the acceleration of disruptions and disintermediation in each of our business segments; changing viewer habits and the expansion of OTT TV and other alternative service providers, as well as the fragmentation of, and changes in, the advertising market; rising content costs and challenges in our ability to acquire or develop key content; the proliferation of content piracy; higher Canadian smartphone penetration and reduced or slower immigration flow; regulatory initiatives, proceedings and decisions, government consultations and government positions that affect us and influence our business; the inability to protect our physical and non-physical assets from events such as information security attacks, unauthorized access or entry, fire and natural disasters; the failure to transform our operations, enabling a truly customer-centric service experience, while lowering our cost structure; the failure to continue investment in next-generation capabilities in a disciplined and strategic manner; the inability to drive a positive customer experience; the complexity in our operations; the failure to maintain operational networks in the context of significant increases in capacity demands; the risk that we may need to incur significant capital expenditures to provide additional capacity and reduce network congestion; the failure to implement or maintain highly effective information technology (IT) systems; the failure to generate anticipated benefits from our corporate restructurings, system replacements and upgrades, process redesigns, staff reductions and the integration of business acquisitions; events affecting the functionality of, and our ability to protect, test, maintain, replace and upgrade, our networks, IT systems, equipment and other facilities; in-orbit and other operational risks to which the satellites used to provide our satellite TV services are subject; the failure to attract and retain employees with the appropriate skill sets and to drive their performance in a safe environment; labour disruptions and shortages; our dependence on third-party suppliers, outsourcers and consultants to provide an uninterrupted supply of the products and services we need to operate our business; the failure of our vendor selection, governance and oversight processes; security and data leakage exposure if security control protocols affecting our suppliers are bypassed; the quality of our products and services and the extent to which they may be subject to manufacturing defects or fail to comply with applicable government regulations and standards; the inability to access adequate sources of capital and generate sufficient cash flows from operating activities to meet our cash requirements, fund capital expenditures and provide for planned growth; uncertainty as to whether dividends will be declared by BCE&#8217;s board of directors or whether the dividend on common shares will be increased; the inability to manage various credit, liquidity and market risks; pension obligation volatility and increased contributions to post-employment benefit plans; new or higher taxes due to new tax laws or changes thereto or in the interpretation thereof, and the inability to predict the outcome of government audits; the failure to reduce costs, as well as unexpected increases in costs; the failure to evolve practices to effectively monitor and control fraudulent activities; unfavourable resolution of legal proceedings and, in particular, class actions; new or unfavourable changes in applicable laws and the failure to proactively address our legal and regulatory obligations; the failure to recognize and adequately respond to climate change concerns or stakeholder and governmental changing expectations on environmental matters; and health concerns about radiofrequency emissions from wireless communication devices and equipment.<\/p>\n<p>We caution that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect our results. We encourage investors to also read BCE&#8217;s 2020 Annual MD&amp;A dated <span class=\"xn-chron\">March 4, 2021<\/span> (included in BCE&#8217;s 2020 Annual Report) and BCE&#8217;s 2021 First Quarter MD&amp;A dated <span class=\"xn-chron\">April 28, 2021<\/span> for additional information with respect to certain of these and other assumptions and risks, filed by BCE with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities (available at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2235135732&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sedar.com%2F&amp;a=Sedar.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Sedar.com<\/a>) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=4115698886&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sec.gov%2F&amp;a=SEC.gov\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">SEC.gov<\/a>). These documents are\u00a0also available at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=560487138&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bce.ca%2F&amp;a=BCE.ca\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">BCE.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>About BCE<br \/><\/b>BCE is Canada&#8217;s largest communications company, providing advanced Bell broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business communications services alongside the country&#8217;s premier content creation and media assets from Bell Media. To learn more, please visit <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=2259088003&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bell.ca%2F&amp;a=Bell.ca\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bell.ca<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=560487138&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bce.ca%2F&amp;a=BCE.ca\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">BCE.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Bell supports the social and economic prosperity of our communities with a commitment to the highest environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. We measure our progress in increasing environmental sustainability, achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace, leading data governance and protection, and building stronger and healthier communities. This includes confronting the challenge of mental illness with the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3146076-1&amp;h=1241474915&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fbell.ca%2Fletstalk&amp;a=Bell+Let%27s+Talk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Bell Let&#8217;s Talk<\/a>\u00a0initiative, which drives mental health awareness and action with programs like the annual Bell Let&#8217;s Talk Day and Bell funding for community care, research and workplace programs nationwide all year round.<\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Media inquiries:<\/b>\n      <\/p>\n<p>\n        <span class=\"xn-person\">Marie-Eve Francoeur<\/span><br \/>\n        <br \/>514-391-5263<br \/><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"mailto:marie-eve.francoeur@bell.ca\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">marie-eve.francoeur@bell.ca<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n        <b>Investor inquiries:<\/b>\n      <\/p>\n<p>Thane Fotopoulos<br \/>514-870-4619<br \/><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"mailto:thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SOURCE  <span class=\"xn-person\">Bell Canada<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/rt.prnewswire.com\/rt.gif?NewsItemId=C5317&amp;Transmission_Id=202104290700CANADANWWEB______C5317&amp;DateId=20210429\" style=\"border:0px;width:1px;height:1px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Canada NewsWire This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled &#8220;Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements&#8221; later in this news release . BCE revenue grows 1.2%, adjusted EBITDA up 0.5%, representing the first quarter of growth since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis Broadband additions up 51% year over year \u2013 108,468 total combined wireless mobile phone and mobile connected device, retail Internet and IPTV net additions 32,925 postpaid mobile phone net additions, up 31,366; net mobile connected device additions grew 51% to 74,159 21,208 retail Internet net additions with 12% Internet revenue growth; 10,696 IPTV net additions represent first quarter of year-over-year growth since Q1 2019 Broadband network &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;BCE reports first quarter 2021 results&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-484082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>BCE reports first quarter 2021 results - Market Newsdesk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"BCE reports first quarter 2021 results - Market Newsdesk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Canada NewsWire This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled &#8220;Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements&#8221; later in this news release . BCE revenue grows 1.2%, adjusted EBITDA up 0.5%, representing the first quarter of growth since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis Broadband additions up 51% year over year \u2013 108,468 total combined wireless mobile phone and mobile connected device, retail Internet and IPTV net additions 32,925 postpaid mobile phone net additions, up 31,366; net mobile connected device additions grew 51% to 74,159 21,208 retail Internet net additions with 12% Internet revenue growth; 10,696 IPTV net additions represent first quarter of year-over-year growth since Q1 2019 Broadband network &hellip; Continue reading &quot;BCE reports first quarter 2021 results&quot;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Market Newsdesk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-04-29T11:06:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/rt.prnewswire.com\/rt.gif?NewsItemId=C5317&amp;Transmission_Id=202104290700CANADANWWEB______C5317&amp;DateId=20210429\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Newsdesk\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Newsdesk\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"31 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Newsdesk\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/482f27a394d4fda80ecb5499e519d979\"},\"headline\":\"BCE reports first quarter 2021 results\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-04-29T11:06:46+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":6303,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/rt.prnewswire.com\\\/rt.gif?NewsItemId=C5317&amp;Transmission_Id=202104290700CANADANWWEB______C5317&amp;DateId=20210429\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\\\/index.php\\\/bce-reports-first-quarter-2021-results\\\/\",\"name\":\"BCE reports first quarter 2021 results - 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