Quebec's Videotron launches 5G with Samsung

Videotron launched its 5G network with a rollout beginning gradually in Montréal and then extending to Québec’s other urban centers.

After many successful decades in the cable television and Internet access business, Videotron launched its initial wireless operation in 2010. As of September 30, 2020, Videotron was serving 1,452,600 mobile subscribers.

For the launch, Samsung has provided 5G RAN, which covers 600MHz, 700MHz, 2.6GHz and AWS spectrums. Moreover, Samsung’s 5G RAN supports both LTE and 5G NR, enabling convenient operation of a network, and saves installation space while reducing CAPEX and OPEX.

“This is a big day for Videotron!” says Jean-François Pruneau, President and CEO of Videotron. “5G technology is throwing the doors open to a world of marvels and Videotron is very enthusiastic about embarking on the path to this promising and exciting future, in which technology will truly serve the daily needs and wants of our families and businesses.”

“Samsung is pleased to support Videotron for its first 5G service. This commercial rollout will open up new exciting experiences for Videotron’s 5G users,” said Jeff Jo, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Canada. “Together with Videotron, Samsung will leverage its successful 5G experiences to bring reliable and advanced 5G services to users in Canada.”

https://videotron.com/residential/p/mobile/5g/A-psku13630330e

• As of September 30, 2020, Videotron was serving 1,481,800 cable television customers and 452,900 subscribers to its Club illico video streaming service. Videotron is also the Québec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,773,600 subscribers to its cable service as of September 30, 2020. As of the same date, Videotron had 

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Videotron Acquires Fibrenoire

Videotron has acquired Fibrenoire, which provides fibre-optic connectivity services for businesses in Québec and Ontario. Fibrenoire deploys and operates its own 4,500-km+ fibre-optic network in the Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City metropolitan areas. The purchase price was $125 million.

"We are very pleased to welcome Fibrenoire's talented team to our ranks," said Manon Brouillette, President and CEO of Videotron. "This transaction will strengthen Videotron's leadership in the business telecom market. Combining our expertise and our distinct but complementary facilities will equip us to continue our growth in the Québec business market."

Videotron, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access, cable telephone and mobile telephone services. Videotron serves 1,745,900 cable television customers, including 1,564,600 Digital TV subscribers. Videotron is also the Québec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,559,500 subscribers to its cable service as of September 30, 2015. As of the same date, Videotron had 742,500 subscriber connections to its mobile telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to  1,329,500 Québec households and organizations.

http://www.videotron.com/
https://www.fibrenoire.ca/

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Rogers and Videotron Announce LTE Network Sharing Deal in Québec and Ottawa

Videotron and Rogers announced a 20-year, LTE network sharing agreement in the province of Québec and the Ottawa region. The two companies will pool their efforts to quickly build out and operate a shared LTE wireless network.  The deal will deliver capital and operating savings, allowing both companies to reinvest in their customers and networks. Videotron and Rogers will maintain their business independence, including their product and service portfolios, billing systems and customer data.

In addition to the network sharing agreement, Videotron and Rogers have also come to an agreement regarding Videotron's unused AWS spectrum in the Greater Toronto Area. Videotron will have the option to transfer its Toronto spectrum licence to Rogers, subject to regulatory approvals, beginning January 1, 2014 for a price of $180 million.

Rogers said the deal builds on its extensive LTE footprint across Canada, including Montreal, Ottawa and Québec City. The fast-paced rollout of LTE infrastructure will position the two companies to meet the steadily growing needs of consumers and businesses, ensuring many more can enjoy incredibly fast speeds, throughput and take advantage of the latest and greatest LTE enabled devices.

Videotron serves 1,849,200 cable television customers in Québec, including 1,500,300 subscribers Digital TV. Videotron also has 1,397,300 subscribers to its cable Internet service, 420,900 subscriber connections to its mobile telephone service, and 1,274,000 subscribers to its cable telephone service.

"This agreement will benefit businesses and consumers and is part of Rogers focused, strategic game plan," said Nadir Mohamed, President and CEO, Rogers Communications Inc. "This network and spectrum sharing agreement, combined with the expansion of our LTE footprint, will allow even more consumers to experience the superior connectivity and incredibly fast speeds that LTE delivers."

"This is excellent news for our customers and our shareholders. This agreement will enable us to go farther and to do it faster and is indicative of our determination to anticipate our customers' needs and to maintain the close relationship we have built with them." said Robert Dépatie, President and CEO of Quebecor Inc. and CEO of Videotron.

http://www.rogers.com
http://www.videotron.com

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