Ms. Michele Austin reports

BELL CANADA AND NATIONAL INDIGENOUS CONNECTIVITY INC. TO ADVANCE BROADBAND AND WIRELESS ACCESS FOR RURAL AND REMOTE FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES

Bell Canada and National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (NICI) today formed a new reconciliation agreement with the shared goal to advance connectivity in rural and remote first nations communities.

NICI is a 100-per-cent indigenous-owned technology company that advocates for wireless spectrum access and high-speed Internet for all first nations.

In response to the 2024 Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Indigenous Services Canada report, Closing the Infrastructure Gap, Bell, and NICI will work together to expand infrastructure and service delivery in underserved first nations communities by 2030.

This partnership builds on Bell's 2024 commitment, which affirms the company's continuing dedication to fostering positive and mutually respectful relationships with indigenous peoples and communities.

Bell and NICI will work collaboratively to implement their reconciliation agreement. As part of the agreement, Bell will work with NICI on long-term broadband and wireless deployment plans. Bell is also reaffirming its commitment that employees working with indigenous communities complete training aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Call to Action No. 92.

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"Bell fully supports the National Indigenous Connectivity Inc.'s goal of closing the digital infrastructure gap in rural and remote first nations communities. To close this gap, we need stable, long-term public policy and a regulatory environment that enables private sector investment in telecommunications networks. Together with NICI, we can build, grow and connect Canadians to support continued private investment in critical network connectivity to first nations communities," said Michele Austin, vice-president, public affairs, Bell Canada.

"Many indigenous communities still lack reliable, high-speed Internet, limiting opportunities and essential services. We believe that connectivity is a fundamental right -- essential for education, economic development, health care and self determination. The National Indigenous Connectivity Initiative (NICI) is committed to advocating for all remote and rural first nations across Canada to have access to spectrum and high-speed Internet," said Leoni Rivers, chief executive officer, National Indigenous Connectivity.

About Bell Canada

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communication services. Founded in Montreal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE.

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