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Bell and Simon Fraser University team up to advance Canada's AI and supercomputing ecosystem

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.

Bell and Simon Fraser University have signed an agreement to significantly advance Canada's AI and supercomputing capabilities
Collaboration strengthens Canada's AI sovereignty by establishing a cutting-edge AI centre and expanding supercomputing resources, ensuring secure and locally controlled AI infrastructure
Announcement is an investment in the next generation of Canadian AI talent

Montréal, QC and Burnaby, BC – September 16, 2025 – Bell, Canada's largest communications company , and Simon Fraser University (SFU), today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on advancing Canada's artificial intelligence (AI) and sovereign supercomputing ecosystem.


Water Tower building containing the Cedar Supercomputing Centre at SFU. (CNW Group/Bell Canada (MTL))	Water Tower building containing the Cedar Supercomputing Centre at SFU. (CNW Group/Bell Canada (MTL))	Mechanical systems of Cedar Supercomputing Centre (CNW Group/Bell Canada (MTL))

The Cedar Supercomputing Centre (CSC) located in Burnaby, British Columbia, is one of Canada's most powerful and energy-efficient research computing platforms. The CSC specializes in handling secure and sensitive data, making it a critical resource for Canadian researchers, industry, and government working on cutting-edge AI applications. Through this agreement, Bell and SFU will work to expand the CSC and provide Canadian researchers and industry users with the computational resources they need to make groundbreaking discoveries and develop innovative solutions to pressing challenges.

The MOU will also expand research opportunities for both SFU and Bell Canada. By connecting the CSC with the future Bell AI Fabric site at TRU, the organizations will provide scalable support for industry and researchers that fosters a vibrant and competitive innovation ecosystem to retain talent and attract investment to Canada.

This agreement will bolster Canada's sovereign AI infrastructure, promote the development of clean and sustainable data centre technologies and invest in Canada’s AI talent pipeline. By investing in Canada’s sovereign AI ecosystem, Bell and SFU will further contribute to Canada's economic resilience and national security by ensuring that Canadian organizations have access to secure, reliable and locally controlled AI resources.

Quotes

“Bell is excited to collaborate with SFU, a leader in AI research and innovation. Together, we are investing in the computing power and future talent necessary to foster a vibrant AI ecosystem. Bringing industry and academia together to tackle some of Canada's most pressing challenges is a critical element if Canada is to compete and win in the AI economy. Through this agreement, we will accelerate the development of innovative AI solutions that drive economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians."

Dan Rink, President, Bell AI Fabric

"The SFU—Bell collaboration will empower Canadian industry and researchers to drive groundbreaking innovation, while delivering a workforce with the skills and expertise to position Canada as a global AI leader. Together, we are building a vibrant AI ecosystem that will deliver significant benefits to all Canadians."

Dugan O’Neil, Vice President, Research and Innovation, Simon Fraser University

About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company1, 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.

1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections.

About Simon Fraser University
SFU is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, SFU has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, SFU fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia’s three largest cities—Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver—SFU has 10 faculties that deliver 368 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.

Media inquiries:
Tianna Goguen
media@bell.ca

Will Henderson
will_henderson@sfu.ca

Investor inquiries:
Richard Bengian
richard.bengian@bell.ca

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to: the Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) between Bell Canada and Simon Fraser University to collaborate on advancing Canada's artificial intelligence (AI) and supercomputing ecosystem, as well as the benefits expected to result therefrom; the planned launch of Bell AI Fabric’s AI data center at Thompson Rivers University; and other statements that are not historical facts. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United States Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations. 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 Bell Canada's expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Bell Canada does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements made in this news release, including the planned launch of Bell AI Fabric’s AI data center at Thompson Rivers University, as well as the benefits expected to result from the MOU, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions including, without limitation, the availability of sufficient equipment, labour and capital and the demand by Canadian researchers and organizations for AI-driven solutions. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the planned launch of Bell AI Fabric’s AI data center at Thompson Rivers University will be completed, or that the benefits expected to result from the MOU will be realized. For additional information on assumptions and risks underlying certain of our forward-looking statements made in this news release, please consult BCE Inc.'s (BCE) 2024 Annual MD&A dated March 6, 2025, BCE's 2025 First and Second Quarter MD&As dated May 7, 2025 and August 6, 2025, respectively, and BCE's news release dated August 7, 2025 announcing its financial results for the second quarter of 2025, filed with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities (available at sedarplus.ca) and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at SEC.gov). These documents are also available at BCE.ca.

Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections.

* All fractional shares were rounded down and paid in cash en lieu.

* Toutes les actions fractionnaires seront arrondies vers le bas et payées en espèce.

ⁱ IDC report IoT Adoption in Canada, 2021 by Nigel Wallis IDC#CA47059321

ⁱRapport d'IDC IoT Adoption in Canada, 2021 par Nigel Wallis, document d'IDC numéro CA47059321

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