Bell AI Fabric Expands National Network with 300 MW Data Centre in Saskatchewan
Partnership with the
BCE updates 2026 financial guidance targets and 2025-2028 financial outlook
This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled "Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" later in this news release.
This project is Bell's largest-ever investment in
Over time, the facility is projected to generate economic value of up to
Construction is scheduled to begin this spring. The facility will come online in stages, with individual data halls entering service on a rolling basis. The first stage is expected to come online in the first half of 2027.
Importantly, a significant portion of the facility's power will be dedicated to sovereign AI compute, ensuring that government agencies, researchers and enterprises in
The facility will be linked to Bell's national fibre backbone through a partnership with SaskTel. Together, Bell and SaskTel will act as go-to-market partners, offering AI-powered products and solutions to SaskTel customers.
The new facility will serve as a regional hub for advanced compute capabilities, expanding Canada's AI ecosystem while generating significant economic benefits for
Cerebras and CoreWeave are secured as the tenants for the new facility. Cerebras will provide AI Fabric customers access to its revolutionary wafer-scale technology, which will deliver large-scale, high-performance AI inference and training capacity. CoreWeave will deliver cutting-edge, scalable AI compute hosted on NVIDIA GPUs.
As part of the partnership with the provincial government, Bell will support strategic AI use cases for
Bell has entered into an agreement with the George Gordon First Nation with a focus on Indigenous procurement participation and workforce development.
Consistent with all Bell AI Fabric data centre builds, the project uses a closed-loop cooling system that does not draw from municipal water resources. Additionally, advanced discussions are underway regarding a district energy system that would enable waste heat reuse on nearby university campuses and in a development project led by
"Bell is drawing on its historic roots as a Canadian technology leader and nation builder through ambitious projects like Bell AI Fabric, by building a digital backbone to power the future of the Canadian economy. Today's announcement is an exciting illustration of the impact of Bell's strategic priority to lead in enterprise with AI-powered solutions. Our largest-ever investment in
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"The announcement of this facility is great news for
- The Honourable Scott Moe, Premier of
"AI is becoming foundational national infrastructure. Countries want AI systems that are fast, energy-efficient, and sovereign by design, and partnering with Bell allows us to bring industry-leading AI compute to Canada in a way that aligns with these national priorities."
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"Canada has an extraordinary AI ecosystem, and expanding access to advanced compute will help unlock new opportunities for innovation, economic growth and scientific discovery. We're excited to work with Bell AI Fabric to deliver the high-performance AI infrastructure researchers, enterprises and developers need to innovate at scale."
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"On behalf of George Gordon Developments, the business arm of
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BCE will hold a conference call with the financial community to discuss this announcement today,
Given the material impact of this transformational announcement and its expected positive impact on BCE's financial profile, BCE is updating its 2026 financial guidance targets, as originally provided on
BCE is also increasing its objective for AI-powered solutions revenue2 from approximately
The construction of this facility will require approximately
|
($ millions) |
2025 Results |
2026 Prior Guidance |
2026 Current Guidance |
|
Revenue growth |
0.2 % |
1% to 5% |
No change |
|
Adjusted EBITDA growth |
0.7 % |
0% to 4% |
No change |
|
Capital intensity4 |
15.1 % |
<15% |
~20%
( |
|
Adjusted EPS1 growth |
(7.9 %) |
(11%) to (5%) |
No change |
|
Free cash flow growth |
10.0 % |
4% to 10%
|
(34%) to (28%)
|
|
Annualized common dividend per share |
|
|
No change |
|
|
2028 Prior Outlook |
2028 Current Outlook |
|
Revenue CAGR 2025-2028E |
2% - 4% |
2.5% - 4.5% |
|
Adjusted EBITDA CAGR 2025-2028E |
2% - 3% |
3% - 4% |
|
Capital intensity |
~14% |
No change |
|
Free cash flow CAGR 2025-2028E |
~ 7% |
~ 8.5% |
|
Free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities1 CAGR 2025-2028E |
~ 15% |
~ 16.5% |
|
Net debt leverage ratio |
<3.5x |
No change |
|
_______________________ |
|
1 Adjusted EBITDA is a total of segments measure. The most directly comparable financial measure for adjusted EBITDA ( |
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2 AI-powered solutions revenue is comprised of revenues from Ateko, |
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3 The guidance ranges above are unaffected by the pending divestiture of |
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4 Capital intensity is defined as capital expenditures divided by operating revenues. Refer to the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) section in this news release for more information on capital intensity. |
Please see the section entitled "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" later in this news release for a description of the principal assumptions on which BCE's 2026 and 2028 financial guidance targets are based, as well as the principal related risk factors.
Bell is Canada's largest communications company5, leading the way in advanced fibre and wireless networks, enterprise services and digital media. By delivering next-generation technology that leverages cloud-based and AI-driven solutions, we're keeping customers connected, informed and entertained while enabling businesses to compete on the world stage. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
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5 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections. |
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Media inquiries:
media@bell.ca
Investor inquiries:
Krishna.somers@bell.ca
BCE uses various financial measures to assess its business performance. Certain of these measures are calculated in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS or GAAP) while certain other measures do not have a standardized meaning under GAAP. We believe that our GAAP financial measures, read together with adjusted non-GAAP and other financial measures, provide readers with a better understanding of how management assesses BCE's performance.
National Instrument 52-112, Non-GAAP and Other Financial MeasuresDisclosure (NI 52-112), prescribes disclosure requirements that apply to the following specified financial measures:
- Non-GAAP financial measures;
- Non-GAAP ratios;
- Total of segments measures;
- Capital management measures; and
- Supplementary financial measures.
This section provides a description and classification of the specified financial measures contemplated by NI 52-112 that we use in this news release to explain our financial results except that, for supplementary financial measures, an explanation of such measures is provided where they are first referred to in this news release if the supplementary financial measures' labelling is not sufficiently descriptive.
A non-GAAP financial measure is a financial measure used to depict our historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow and, with respect to its composition, either excludes an amount that is included in, or includes an amount that is excluded from, the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in BCE's consolidated primary financial statements. We believe that non-GAAP financial measures are reflective of our on-going operating results and provide readers with an understanding of management's perspective on and analysis of our performance.
Below are descriptions of the non-GAAP financial measures that we use in this news release to explain our results as well as reconciliations to the most directly comparable financial measures under IFRS Accounting Standards.
Adjusted net earnings – Adjusted net earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure and it does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS Accounting Standards. Therefore, it is 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 equity losses (gains) on investments in associates and joint ventures, net losses (gains) on investments, early debt redemption costs (gains), impairment of assets and discontinued operations, net of tax and NCI.
We use adjusted net earnings and we believe that certain investors and analysts use this measure, 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 equity losses (gains) on investments in associates and joint ventures, net losses (gains) on investments, early debt redemption costs (gains), 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 directly comparable financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards is net earnings attributable to common shareholders.
The following table is a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to common shareholders to adjusted net earnings on a consolidated basis.
|
($ millions) |
|
|
|||
|
|
2025 |
2024 |
|||
|
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders |
6,305 |
163 |
|||
|
Reconciling items: |
|
|
|||
|
Severance, acquisition and other costs |
517 |
454 |
|||
|
Net mark-to-market (gains) losses on derivatives used |
9 |
269 |
|||
|
Net equity losses on investments in associates and joint |
- |
247 |
|||
|
Net (gains) losses on investments |
(5,217) |
(57) |
|||
|
Net early debt redemption (gains) costs |
(249) |
- |
|||
|
Impairment of assets |
1,027 |
2,190 |
|||
|
Income taxes for above reconciling items |
217 |
(467) |
|||
|
NCI for the above reconciling items |
(8) |
(26) |
|||
|
Adjusted net earnings |
2,601 |
2,773 |
|||
Free cash flow and free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities – Free cash flow and free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities are non-GAAP financial measures and they do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS Accounting Standards. Therefore, they are 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 define free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities 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 principal payment of lease liabilities, 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 and free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities to be important indicators of the financial strength and performance of our businesses. Free cash flow and free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities show how much cash is available to pay dividends on common shares, repay debt and reinvest in our company. We believe that certain investors and analysts use free cash flow and free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities to value a business and its underlying assets and to evaluate the financial strength and performance of our businesses. The most directly comparable financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards is cash flows from operating activities.
In Q1 2026, we will update our definitions of free cash flow and free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities to exclude income taxes paid on significant divestitures included within cash flows from operating activities. This change does not impact the amounts for free cash flow and free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities previously presented. We exclude this item as it could affect the comparability of our financial results and potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. Excluding this item does not imply it is non-recurring.
The following tables are reconciliations of cash flows from operating activities to free cash flow and free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities on a consolidated basis.
|
($ millions) |
|
|
|
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
6,993 |
6,988 |
|
Capital expenditures |
(3,700) |
(3,897) |
|
Cash dividends paid on preferred shares |
(151) |
(187) |
|
Cash dividends paid by subsidiaries to NCI |
(51) |
(68) |
|
Acquisition and other costs paid |
87 |
52 |
|
Free cash flow |
3,178 |
2,888 |
|
($ millions) |
|
|
|
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
6,993 |
6,988 |
|
Capital expenditures |
(3,700) |
(3,897) |
|
Cash dividends paid on preferred shares |
(151) |
(187) |
|
Cash dividends paid by subsidiaries to NCI |
(51) |
(68) |
|
Acquisition and other costs paid |
87 |
52 |
|
Free cash flow |
3,178 |
2,888 |
|
Principal payment of lease liabilities |
(1,127) |
(1,142) |
|
Free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities |
2,051 |
1,746 |
The term net debt does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS Accounting Standards. Therefore, it is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
We define net debt as debt due within one year plus long-term debt and 50% of outstanding preferred shares, less 50% of junior subordinated debt included within long-term debt, and less cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as shown in BCE's consolidated statements of financial position.
In Q1 2025, we updated our definition of net debt to include 50% of junior subordinated debt. This change does not impact the net debt amounts previously presented. We include 50% of outstanding preferred shares and 50% of junior subordinated debt in our net debt as it is consistent with the treatment by certain credit rating agencies and given structural features including priority of payments.
We, and certain investors and analysts, consider net debt to be an important indicator of the company's financial leverage.
Net debt is calculated using several asset and liability categories from the statements of financial position. The most directly comparable financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards is long-term debt. The following table is a reconciliation of long-term debt to net debt on a consolidated basis.
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
34,904 |
32,835 |
|
Less: 50% of junior subordinated debt |
(2,149) |
— |
|
Debt due within one year |
6,155 |
7,669 |
|
50% of preferred shares |
1,644 |
1,767 |
|
Cash |
(314) |
(1,572) |
|
Cash equivalents |
(6) |
— |
|
Short-term investments |
— |
(400) |
|
Net debt |
40,234 |
40,299 |
A non-GAAP ratio is a financial measure disclosed in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation and that has a non-GAAP financial measure as one or more of its components.
Below is a description of the non-GAAP ratio that we use in this news release to explain our results.
Adjusted EPS – Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP ratio and it does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS Accounting Standards. Therefore, it is unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
We define adjusted EPS as adjusted net earnings per BCE common share. Adjusted net earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure. For further details on adjusted net earnings, refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures above.
We use adjusted EPS, and we believe that certain investors and analysts use this measure, 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 equity losses (gains) on investments in associates and joint ventures, net losses (gains) on investments, early debt redemption costs (gains), 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.
A total of segments measure is a financial measure that is a subtotal or total of 2 or more reportable segments and is disclosed within the Notes to BCE's consolidated primary financial statements.
Below is a description of the total of segments measure that we use in this news release to explain our results as well as a reconciliation to the most directly comparable financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards.
Adjusted EBITDA – Adjusted EBITDA is a total of segments measure. We define adjusted EBITDA as operating revenues less operating costs as shown in BCE's consolidated income statements.
The most directly comparable financial measure under IFRS Accounting Standards is net earnings (loss).
The following table is a reconciliation of net earnings to BCE adjusted EBITDA.
|
($ millions) |
||
|
|
2025 |
2024 |
|
Net earnings |
6,514 |
375 |
|
Severance, acquisition and other costs |
517 |
454 |
|
Depreciation |
3,861 |
3,758 |
|
Amortization |
1,377 |
1,283 |
|
Finance costs |
|
|
|
Interest expense |
1,775 |
1,713 |
|
Net return on post-employment benefit plans |
(102) |
(66) |
|
Impairment of assets |
1,027 |
2,190 |
|
|
(5,217) |
(57) |
|
Other (income) expense |
(287) |
362 |
|
Income taxes |
1,193 |
577 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
10,658 |
10,589 |
A capital management measure is a financial measure that is intended to enable a reader to evaluate our objectives, policies and processes for managing our capital and is disclosed within the Notes to BCE's consolidated financial statements.
The financial reporting framework used to prepare the financial statements requires disclosure that helps readers assess the company's capital management objectives, policies, and processes, as set out in IFRS Accounting Standards in IAS 1 – Presentation of Financial Statements. BCE has its own methods for managing capital and liquidity, and IFRS Accounting Standards do not prescribe any particular calculation method.
The net debt leverage ratio represents net debt divided by adjusted EBITDA. Net debt used in the calculation of the net debt leverage ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. For further details on net debt, see section Non-GAAP financial measures above. For the purposes of calculating our net debt leverage ratio, adjusted EBITDA is twelve-month trailing adjusted EBITDA.
We use, and believe that certain investors and analysts use, the net debt leverage ratio as a measure of financial leverage.
A supplementary financial measure is a financial measure that is not reported in BCE's consolidated financial statements, and is, or is intended to be, reported periodically to represent historical or expected future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows.
An explanation of such measures is provided where they are first referred to in this news release if the supplementary financial measures' labelling is not sufficiently descriptive.
We use capital intensity to measure the success of our strategic imperatives. This key performance indicator is not an accounting measure and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements. These statements include, without limitation, statements relating to: BCE's updated 2026 financial guidance and outlook (including revenue, adjusted EBITDA, capital intensity, adjusted EPS, free cash flow and annualized common dividend per share); BCE's updated 2025-2028 financial guidance and outlook (including revenue, adjusted EBITDA, capital intensity, free cash flow, free cash flow after payment of lease liabilities and net debt leverage ratio); the projected economic value to be generated by the facility; the number of jobs supported and created by the facility; timing for construction and operation of the facility; the amount of power allocated for sovereign AI compute; the community and other benefits expected to result from the facility; the approximately
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
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:
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2026 Financial Outlook |
2025-2028 Financial Outlook |
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Canadian Economic Assumptions
Considerable uncertainty remains around the impact of
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Canadian and
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Canadian Market Assumptions
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Canadian Market Assumptions
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U.S. Market Assumptions
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Assumptions Applicable to Bell CTS Canada
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Assumptions Applicable to Bell CTS Canada
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Assumptions Applicable to Bell CTS
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Assumptions Applicable to
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Financial Assumptions Concerning BCE
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Financial Assumptions Concerning BCE
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Assumptions underlying expected continuing contribution holiday in the majority of our pension plans
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The foregoing assumptions, although considered reasonable by BCE on
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 2026 guidance and our financial outlook for 2025 to 2028, are listed below. The realization of our forward-looking statements, including our ability to meet our 2026 guidance targets and our financial outlook for 2025 to 2028, 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 negative effect of adverse economic conditions, including the continuation or escalation of trade wars, recessions,
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's 2025 Annual MD&A dated
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