The carrier’s 5G access is $10 a month but is being offered for free until March 31, 2021

By Aisha Malik@AiishaMalik1

JUN 11, 2020

Montreal-based national carrier, Bell, has launched its initial 5G network in the Greater Toronto Area, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton. “Bell 5G customers in Montreal, the GTA, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver will have access to enhanced mobile data speeds and faster response times, as well as seamless connections to Bell’s national LTE network,” the carrier said in a press release.  The carrier’s 5G access costs an additional $10 CAD per month on any Bell Mobility postpaid plan, but is currently being offered as a free bonus until March 31, 2021. Bell outlines that it already carries several 5G-enabled phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, LG V60 ThinQ 5G Dual Screen and Motorola Edge+.

“Customers on Bell’s 5G network will see a boost in speeds, and in the next few weeks we’ll be tuning the network and improving it continuously,” Claire Gillies, the president of Bell Mobility told MobileSyrup in an interview.  “As we look at the future of what 5G promises, it changes every aspect of how we live and how we work. When we talk about early 5G, we’ll see improvements in AR/ VR and mobile gaming,” she said.  In terms of the future, she notes that the improved speeds and lower latency that comes with 5G networks will enable and support smart cities. The carrier notes that its 5G service will expand to more centres across the country as the wireless technology grows in speed capacity. Bell says its initial 5G network currently uses AWS (Advanced Wireless Services) band spectrum. Bell is officially partnered with Ericsson and Nokia to build its 5G network.

However, Bell has noted that it’s multi-vendor strategy involves several partnerships, and that could include Huawei. The government has yet to decide whether Huawei will be allowed to participate in the rollout of 5G, but Bell says it would be interested in working with the company. “Should the government allow Huawei’s participation, we would absolutely consider working with them again,” Gillies said.  The carrier has also partnered with Western University in London, Ontario to create an advanced 5G research centre. Bell is investing $2.7 million into the project and will deploy 5G network equipment and infrastructure throughout the campus. Toronto-based national carrier Rogers launched its initial 5G network earlier this year in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal in partnership with Ericsson. Vancouver-based Telus, the remainder of the Big Three, has yet to launch its initial 5G network, but is also partnered with Nokia and Ericsson. It’s important to note that the benefits of 5G in Canada won’t be immediate, as the government has yet to auction 3500MHz spectrum, which is considered vital for 5G services. Analysts have said that the first generation of 5G is expected to deliver speeds that will be similar to the most updated 4G networks.
Read more at MobileSyrup.com: Bell launches initial 5G network in the GTA, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal

 

Bell launches 5G network in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver

Networks offer 5G smartphones faster data speeds, response times

The Canadian Press ·
Bell is beginning to roll out a new 5G wireless network in five cities, joining the global race to deploy the high-speed technology.

It is the second of Canada’s Big Three telecom companies to launch its plan for fifth-generation deployment.

The new service is now available for customers in Montreal, the Greater Toronto Area, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, the company said.

Rival Rogers Communications Inc. activated its 5G network earlier this year in downtown Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.

The new networks offer those with 5G-enabled smartphones faster data speeds and faster response times.

“It is the next generation of wireless technology and will have a fundamental shift in the future to how we interact in many parts of our life, whether it’s smart cities, whether it’s autonomous vehicles, whether it’s a mobile gaming experience, whether it’s virtual reality,” Bell Mobility president Claire Gillies said.

The full potential of 5G technology won’t be reached until Bell deploys higher-frequency bands called “millimetre-wave” spectrum, which requires installation of thousands of cereal box-sized “microcells” within hundreds of metres on each other on structures ranging from bus stops to billboards.

“There’s many things that will happen before we get to millimetre wave, but that’s when you get some of the ultra-fast speeds that you often hear referred to,” Gillies said.

Bell chooses Ericsson, Nokia over Huawei

Last week, Bell Canada announced that Sweden-based Ericsson will be its second supplier of the radio access network equipment — a major component in 5G networks — following its choice of Finland’s Nokia in February.

Telus Corp., which uses Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. equipment extensively in its current network, announced hours later that it too had selected Ericsson and Nokia for its 5G network needs.

The announcements came as Ottawa continues its review of Huawei’s role in Canada’s 5G networks over security concerns due to suspicions about the company’s relationship with China’s government.

“There’s a significant amount of uncertainty as the government has yet to make a decision on Huawei’s participation in 5G in the Canadian market,” Gillies said.

The United States has warned Canada, the United Kingdom and other allies that it will limit intelligence sharing with countries that have Huawei equipment in their 5G networks — citing its potential use for spying by China, an allegation Huawei denies.

UWO research centre plans

On Thursday, Bell also announced partnership plans for a 5G research centre at Western University in London, Ont., that will include a campus-wide 5G network.

“As the world rapidly embraces the fifth generation of wireless, Bell is ready to ensure Canada remains at the forefront of 5G innovation and accessibility,” said Mirko Bibic, chief executive of Bell Canada and parent company BCE.

“The COVID-19 crisis has clearly underscored the critical importance of high-quality networks to keeping consumers, businesses and governments connected and informed, and Bell remains committed to building the best as we take wireless into the next generation.”

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/bell-launches-5g-network-1.5608667