This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" later in this news release. The information contained in this news release is unaudited.
-- 4.0% consolidated revenue growth delivered 2.9% higher adjusted EBITDA1
-- Net earnings of $667 million, down 2.3%, with net earnings attributable
to common shareholders of $616 million, down 2.2%, or $0.66 per common
share; adjusted net earnings1 of $589 million yielded adjusted EPS1 of
$0.63, down 8.7%
-- Free cash flow1 increased 0.8% to $804 million; cash flows from operating
activities down 26.9% to $1,149 million reflecting higher income taxes
paid resulting from strategic divestitures
-- Bell Business Markets revenue2 up 9.7% on 113% growth in AI-powered
solutions revenue2, driven by strong demand for Ateko, Bell Cyber and
Bell AI Fabric
-- Strong contribution from acquisition of Ziply Fiber on August 1, 2025
-- 49,525 residential fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) Internet net subscriber3
activations, including Ziply Fiber, up 3.2%, contributing to 15% Internet
revenue growth
-- 16,947 postpaid mobile phone net subscriber3 activations, up 26,545 year
over year
-- Crave subscriptions up 25% to 4.74 million, driven by strong
direct-to-consumer streaming growth; Q1 was the most watched quarter in
Crave history
MONTRÉAL, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) $(BCE)$ today reported results for the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.
"Bell's Q1 results demonstrate solid execution across our four strategic priorities in a competitive environment. Fibre continues to be a key growth driver. In Canada, we added close to 43,000 residential fibre subscribers, and combined with the contribution from Ziply Fiber, total residential fibre net subscriber additions were close to 50,000 with Internet revenue growing nearly 15% year over year. Crave had its most watched quarter in its history with subscribers up 25% year over year to 4.74 million. Bell Media digital revenues grew 8% year over year, driven by Crave and sports direct-to-consumer streaming subscriber growth.
Last year, we outlined our strategy for AI-powered enterprise solutions and introduced three businesses -- Ateko, Bell Cyber and Bell AI Fabric. Since then, we've made big strides, reflecting Bell's unique position in the Canadian market that intersects connectivity, deep relationships with Canada's biggest enterprises and now purpose-built AI infrastructure. For the first time, we're disclosing revenue for Bell Business Markets, which was up 9.7%, driven by 113% growth in AI-powered solutions revenue.
In addition to executing on our four strategic priorities, we've been making progress on our capital allocation and capital investment plans to simplify the business, strengthen the balance sheet and focus capital on higher-return opportunities. We will continue to execute on our plan as outlined at Investor Day 2025 as we look to create long-term value for our shareholders."
- Mirko Bibic, President and CEO, BCE and Bell Canada
________________ (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a total of segments measure, adjusted net earnings and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures, and adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP ratio. Refer to the Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures section in this news release for more information on these measures. (2) Bell Business Markets (BBM) operating revenue includes wireline and wireless service and product revenue from large and medium retail business customers generated from the sale of communications services and AI-powered solutions. Communications revenue is comprised of: core connectivity services, including wireless, Internet, voice, and data network services sold directly to enterprise customers, as well as advanced cloud-based services such as Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) and unified-communications-as-a-service (UCaaS). Al-powered solutions revenue is comprised of revenue from Ateko, Bell Cyber, and Bell Al Fabric. (3) Refer to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) section in this news release for more information on churn and subscriber (or customer) units.
Put the customer first
-- Bell was awarded a federal contact centre modernization contract to
support improved service delivery for Canadians across key Government of
Canada departments. Powered by the AI--enabled Genesys CloudTM platform
and hosted in Canada, the initiative is designed to deliver more secure,
resilient and consistent customer experiences for millions of Canadians
accessing essential public services.
Deliver the best fibre and wireless networks
-- Bell introduced 5G+ Advanced, its fastest and most advanced wireless
network yet, powered by new spectrum deployments and Bell's 5G
standalone (SA) core, delivering greater capacity, lower latency and
theoretical peak download speeds of up to 4.3 Gbps.
The network is now live across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area,
with expansion underway in the Niagara region.
Lead in enterprise with AI-powered solutions
-- Bell announced a major expansion of Bell AI Fabric through a partnership
with the Government of Saskatchewan to develop a new 300
MW purpose--built AI data centre near Regina. The facility will
significantly expand Canada's sovereign AI compute capacity and support
enterprise, public sector and research demand across the country.
-- Bell made a $1 million investment in the McKenna Institute at the
University of New Brunswick, establishing a partnership with Bell Cyber
to strengthen Canada's cybersecurity talent pipeline. The initiative
supports industry--led training focused on job--ready cybersecurity
and AI--enabled defence capabilities for enterprises and public
institutions.
-- Bell and Hypertec entered into a strategic partnership to
deliver end--to--end sovereign AI infrastructure built,
hosted and operated in Canada. The collaboration
combines Canadian--built AI compute systems with Bell AI Fabric to expand
secure, scalable AI capacity for government, enterprise and research
customers.
-- Bell and Coveo announced a strategic sovereign AI partnership to
integrate the Coveo AI--Relevance platform into Bell AI Fabric. The
partnership aims to deliver secure, compliant, Canadian--hosted AI
solutions for federal and provincial governments and regulated industries,
supporting digital modernization while ensuring data residency under
Canadian law.
Build a digital media and content powerhouse
-- Bell Media received 202 nominations at the 2026 Canadian Screen
Awards across 146 categories, reflecting the strength and breadth of its
original Canadian programming. Highlights included 18 nominations
for Heated Rivalry and 11 nominations for Canada's Drag Race.
Additionally, Bell Fibe TV1 received a record 23 nominations.
-- Bell Media announced production of Yaga, an upcoming Crave Original
series and the streamer's first half--hour original drama, led by an
all--star cast including Carrie--Anne Moss, Noah Reid, Clark Backo and
Hudson Williams. The series has also been acquired by Sky for the UK and
Ireland, with additional international territories expected to follow.
-- In 2025, CTV News was the #1 digital news publisher in Canada for the
second consecutive year, reaching 45% of Canadians across digital
platforms monthly. CP24 / CTV News Toronto was the #1 digital news
publisher in the GTHA in 2025.
Strategic divestiture paving the way for key growth drivers
-- Bell, through its wireless subsidiary Bell Mobility Inc., entered into an
agreement to sell its Bell Mobility land mobile radio networks services
business to Motorola Solutions Canada Networks, Inc. for $675 million,
subject to customary adjustments, plus a deferred net working capital
settlement. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of
2026, subject to the receipt of regulatory and third-party approvals, and
satisfaction of other closing conditions. Following completion of the
transaction, Bell will continue to work with Motorola Solutions Canada
Networks as an important service delivery partner for land mobile radio
networks.
Financial Highlights
($ millions except per share amounts) (unaudited) Q1 2026 Q1 2025 % change -------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- -------- BCE Operating revenues 6,168 5,930 4.0 % Net earnings 667 683 (2.3 %) Net earnings attributable to common shareholders 616 630 (2.2 %) Adjusted net earnings 589 633 (7.0 %) Adjusted EBITDA 2,631 2,558 2.9 % Net earnings per common share (EPS) 0.66 0.68 (2.9 %) Adjusted EPS 0.63 0.69 (8.7 %) Cash flows from operating activities 1,149 1,571 (26.9 %) Capital expenditures (841) (729) (15.4 %) Free cash flow 804 798 0.8 % -------------------------------------------------- ------- ------- --------
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May 07, 2026 06:30 ET (10:30 GMT)
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