Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and Bell Mobility
    invest $3.2 M to provide state-of-the-art wireless network to residents,
    businesses and tourists

TORONTO,Dec. 23 2003 --Bell Mobility, Canada's leading wireless
provider, today announced a $3.2 million project to provide 1X digital
wireless service to key areas of South Algonquin Township in Northern Ontario.
The partnership between Ontario's Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
and Bell Mobility will provide mobile access and security to residents of and
visitors to the Nippissing and Renfrew area along the Highway 60 corridor
running through Algonquin Park, with coverage extending south towards Lake
St. Peter on Highway 27.
    In April 2003, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and Bell
Mobility announced that they would invest $1.4 million and $1.8 million
respectively to expand wireless service coverage to South Algonquin Township.
The network expansion represents approximately 155 kilometres of new coverage,
mainly along Highway 60 between the Town of Dwight and the Town of Barry's
Bay.
    "Bell Mobility is bringing the safety and security of wireless
connectivity to residents, businesses and visitors in South Algonquin
Township," said Kelly Dixon, Vice President, Consumer Marketing, Bell
Mobility. "This expansion also means wireless customers will be able to use
our wide variety of digital handsets and devices for email, text messaging,
picture messaging and Web browsing," added Dixon.
    "The municipalities in this area are enthusiastic about the work we've
done with Bell Mobility to bring 1X digital wireless coverage to the
residents, businesses and visitors in our communities," said Jim Etmanski,
Mayor of South Algonquin Township.
    "Our goal is to support local business and residents, and attract new
business in the region; Bell Mobility is helping us make this happen," added
John Hildebrant, Reeve of the Township of Madawaska.
    The network expansion was undertaken after consultation with area
municipalities and Algonquin Park. "Bell Mobility met the stringent
environmental conditions expected by this world-class park," said John
Winters, Algonquin Park Superintendent. "This network will also provide an
added element of safety to people travelling through the park."
    The cellular phone network expansion, expected to be complete in Spring
2004, will provide 1X digital network access within three to four kilometres
of the Highway 60 corridor. To date, 95 per cent of the population within Bell
Mobility's serving territory can access wireless network service. Since the
launch of PCS (Personal Communication Service) in 1997, Bell has invested over
$1B to develop and expand its wireless network.
    In addition to this wireless service expansion from Bell Mobility,
residents of Northern Ontario can access high-speed Internet via Bell
ExpressVu's DirecPC satellite Internet service. DirecPC is available to
virtually anyone in Canada with a phone line and local Internet Service
Provider - including Canadians who do not have access to other high speed
Internet options.

    About Bell Canada
    -----------------
    Bell Mobility, a division of Bell Canada, provides a complete range of
innovative wireless communications solutions; PCS and cellular, web-browsing
and data, two-way messaging, paging and airline passenger communications
services. Bell Canada, Canada's national leader in communications, provides
connectivity to residential and business customers through wired and wireless
voice and data communications, local and long distance phone services, high
speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband services, e-business
solutions and satellite television services. Bell Canada is wholly-owned by
BCE Inc. For more information please visit www.bell.ca.




For further information: For media information and interview
opportunities contact: Nessa Prendergast, Bell Canada Media Relations,
(416) 581-4253 or 1-888-482-0809, nessa.prendergast@bell.ca; John Winters,
Algonquin Park Superintendent, (613) 637-5578; Ron St. Louis, Senior Manager,
Communications, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, (705) 564-7120