Huawei and Bell Partner on New Joint Innovation Centre

Investment in Canadian wireless innovation to deliver advanced and competitive mobile communications solutions

MARKHAM, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Huawei, a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions for operators around the world, and Bell, Canada's largest communications company, today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create and maintain a Joint Innovation Centre (JIC) in Canada. This extension of the companies’ existing relationship underscores their commitment to providing innovative mobile products and solutions to Bell customers while driving ongoing investment and innovation in Canadian wireless.

“Through this new Innovation Centre agreement with Bell, we will offer an enhanced suite of business and technology benefits to our growing Canadian customer base”

“Huawei played a key role in the introduction of Bell’s world-leading HSPA+ network, and we’re confident this Joint Innovation Centre will create further breakthrough products and services that keep both companies at the forefront of mobile communications technology,” said Stephen Howe, Bell’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “Bell has invested billions of dollars in rolling out the latest mobile innovations to rural communities, small towns and urban centres alike across Canada. We are very pleased that our partner Huawei has also committed to Canadian wireless advancement, with significant investments in Canadian talent, this new Joint Innovation Centre and the Huawei R&D Centre in Ottawa.”

In the Joint Innovation Centre, Huawei and Bell will collaborate on developing and enhancing broadband wireless solutions, core network products and value-added service offerings.

“Through this new Innovation Centre agreement with Bell, we will offer an enhanced suite of business and technology benefits to our growing Canadian customer base,” said Charles Ding, President of Huawei North America. “Strengthening our support of Bell’s mobile innovation and investment strategy helps us at Huawei to achieve greater heights in sales, knowledge transfer and product development. We are privileged to strengthen our commitment to Canada and our customers in this joint initiative with Bell.”

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading telecoms solutions provider serving 45 of the world’s top 50 telecom operators. Huawei’s products and solutions have been deployed in over 100 countries and support the communications needs of one third of the world’s population. The company is committed to providing innovative and customized products, services and solutions to create long-term value and growth potential for its customers. For more information, visit Huawei online: www.huawei.com. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/huaweipress and YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/HuaweiPress.

About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers and business with solutions to all their communications needs, including Bell Mobility wireless, high-speed Bell Internet, Bell Satellite TV and Bell Fibe TV, Bell Home Phone local and long distance, and Bell Business Markets IP-broadband and information and communications technology (ICT) services.

The Bell Mental Health Initiative is a multi-year charitable program that promotes mental health across Canada via the Bell Let’s Talk anti-stigma campaign and support for community care, research and workplace best practices. To learn more, please visit bce.ca/mentalhealth. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE). For information on Bell products and services, please visit www.bell.ca. For BCE corporate information, please visit www.bce.ca.