FRANÇAIS Home About BCE Investors News and media Responsibility About BCE BCE overview Our strategy Leadership team Governance Our history Back Explore our rich history To view articles chronologically use the tab key CHOOSE Corporate Technologies Pioneers and leaders Logos 1870 1890 1910 1930 1950 1970 1990 2010 1870 2021 1870 – 1889 1876 Birth of the Canadian telephone business Alexander Graham Bell receives a Canadian patent (#7789) for the Bell telephone on March 7. In the summer of 1877, he transfers 75% of these rights to his father Melville, who proceeds to start up a telephone company in Canada. ...more 1879 Selling the Canadian patent Anxious to join his son in the United States, Melville Bell sells his Canadian telephone patent rights to William H. Forbes and his associates at the National Bell Telephone Company of Boston. ...more 1880 – 1891 The Board of Directors adopted the first crest as Company By-law No. 14 on June 16, 1880 and it received the approval of the shareholders at a special meeting on December 13 the same year. A double red band receiver, the type used on telephone sets of the period, is depicted along with the company’s name and date of incorporation. ...more 1880 First shareholders meet Bell’s first general meeting of shareholders is held at the Queen’s Hotel in Toronto on June 1, attended by 3 people: Andrew Robertson, Charles F. Sise and Hugh Cossart Baker. ...more 1881 Telephone lines go underwater The world’s first international submarine telephone cable is successfully placed between Windsor and Detroit. ...more 1877 Pioneering the telephone industry Alexander Graham Bell transfers 75% of the Canadian telephone patent rights to his father Melville, who starts up a Canadian telephone business, initially leasing wooden hand telephones to customers to use on private lines. ...more Andrew Robertson President from June 1880 to March 1890 Andrew Robertson emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1853, quickly establishing himself as one of Montréal’s leading merchants. In addition to becoming the first president of The Bell Telephone Company of Canada, he held prominent roles at the Montréal General Hospital and the Montréal Harbour Commission. ...more 1880 New products hit the market Launch of the Blake magneto wall set, one of the first telephone models leased to clients by the newly incorporated Bell Telephone Company of Canada. The phone consists of three boxes mounted on a backboard. The top box contains the bells and the magneto generator used to signal the operator. In the middle is the transmitter, while the bottom box houses a battery. The receiver hangs on a hook on the side of the magneto. ...more 1881 First public telephone Bell installs its first public telephone outside its offices in Hamilton, Ontario. 1882 Subject to regulation An amendment to Bell’s charter on July 9 stipulates that any future increases in telephone rates must first be approved by the Governor in Council, marking the first time the company is subject to regulation. ...more 1877 Launch of the Bell telephone Melville Bell begins leasing pairs of wooden telephones to customers for use on private lines. ...more Mary Rosetta Warren Mary Rosetta Warren was one of the first telephone operators hired by Bell in Montréal in 1880. She became a clerk in 1891 and eventually joined the Office of the President in charge of correspondence and records – the first woman appointed to a position within that office. ...more 1880 Creation of a new company The National Bell Telephone Company of Boston sends Charles Fleetford Sise to Montréal to organize a Canadian telephone company. The Bell Telephone Company of Canada is incorporated by Federal charter on April 29. ...more 1881 First long distance line Bell constructs its first long distance line between Hamilton and Toronto. 1882 Creation of the Bell Mechanical Dept. On July 24, Charles W. Brown of Boston and two assistants start work manufacturing telephone sets for Bell, initially operating as The Bell Mechanical Department, which becomes The Northern Electric & Manufacturing Company in 1895. ...more 1890 – 1909 Charles Fleetford Sise President from May 1890 to February 1915 Former sea captain Charles Fleetford Sise arrived in Montréal from the US in March 1880 with a mandate by the owners of Bell’s patents to help organize a Canadian telephone company. Before becoming president, Mr. Sise directed the day-to-day operations of the company as General Manager. He is considered the founder of The Bell Telephone Company of Canada, incorporated by Federal Charter on April 29, 1880. ...more 1896 Montréal and Toronto are linked Launch of direct long distance service between Montréal and Toronto, made possible by a newly-constructed copper metallic line. ...more 1902 – 1922 The following changes were made to the design of the logo: two stars were added and the “Ltd” was omitted from the corporate name. ...more 1891 – 1895 This crest has the appearance of a military badge. The Blake transmitter – named after the inventor, Francis Blake – and the double red bank receiver appear at the bottom of the design. A telephone pole line is illustrated in the center. ...more 1897 The big move On May 1, Bell team members begin moving into the first company-owned head office building at 118 Notre-Dame St. W., Montréal. ...more 1909 On the road Bell purchases its first motor vehicle, built in Orillia, Ontario by the Tudhope Carriage Company. 1895 – 1902 On November 29, 1895, The Bell Telephone Company of Canada obtained authorization to use American Telephone & Telegraph Company’s “Blue Bell” insignia. ...more 1900 The crank, a thing of the past Common battery service is introduced, allowing users to simply pick up the receiver instead of turning a crank on the telephone to signal the operator. ...more 1910 - 1929 1914 A commitment to employees As World War I begins, Bell promises to re-hire all permanent employees who enlist. By the end of 1918, 833 employees had enlisted for military service abroad and 79 had made the ultimate sacrifice. ...more 1920 First employees share plan Bell’s first Stock Purchase Plan for team members is introduced on May 1, with 2,271 employees taking advantage of the offer by acquiring a total of 8,548 shares. ...more Charles Fleetford Sise, Jr. President from March 1925 to November 1944 Son of Charles Fleetford Sise Sr., C.F. Sise Jr. graduated from McGill University in 1897 with a degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering before embarking on apprenticeships with the Ottawa Electric Company, the Northern Electric Company, and American Telephone & Telegraph in New York, finally joining Bell in 1899. During his 19 years as President, Mr. Sise’s foresight and sound business judgement advanced the company in the quality and scope of its service and its financial stability. ...more 1927 Speaking with Great Britain Inauguration of commercial transatlantic telephone service by Prime Ministers W.L. Mackenzie King of Canada and Stanley Baldwin of Great Britain. ...more Lewis Brown McFarlane President from February 1915 to March 1925 Montréal-born Lewis McFarlane expressed an interest in telegraphy as early as 1865. As an employee of the Dominion Telegraph Company, his work on behalf of Alexander Graham Bell led to the world’s first long distance call between Brantford and Paris, Ontario in 1876. He joined Bell in 1880. ...more 1922 – 1940 Maple leaves replaced the star, giving the logo a distinct Canadian look. ...more 1927 New combined telephone set Bell introduces new receiver-transmitter sets, ushering in the era of combination handset telephones. ...more 1929 A new head office Bell moves its head office from 118 Notre-Dame Street West to 1050 Beaver Hall Hill. Designed by architects Barott and Blackader of Montréal, it was the city's second tallest structure at the time. ...more 1916 Hello Vancouver Montréal is connected to Vancouver via telephone for the first time. The call is made through Buffalo, Chicago, Omaha, Salt Lake City, and Portland, a circuit of 6,763 kilometres. ...more 1924-1925 Dial service introduced Bell launches dial service in Montréal and Toronto. 1927 Radio from coast to coast The first national radio broadcast for the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation on July 1. 1930 – 1949 1931 Easier long distance calling Bell introduces the toll-free number in Canada. 1941 Iconic phone booth Bell introduces the outdoor telephone booth. 1947 A telephone that can follow you Bell launches Canada’s first commercial mobile telephone service. 1939 Supporting colleagues at the front To help aid the war effort, employees knit, roll bandages, entertain troops, and organize Victory Loan bond drives. In total, 2,543 Bell team members enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces or were redeployed to technical or other work during WWII. 93 made the ultimate sacrifice. ...more 1943 A new workforce As a result of resources being shifted due to WWII, a growing number of women are trained as technicians in Bell central offices. ...more 1947 – 1965 President Frederick Johnson approved this new logo in April 1947. The principal changes incorporated in the new emblem were: the substitution of the words “Local and Long Distance Telephone” for “Service” on the bell, the re-design of the bell, and an increase in the size and clarity of the company name. ...more 1940 – 1947 President Charles Fleetford Sise, Jr., approved this simpler design on December 18, 1939. It was introduced on January 1, 1940. ...more Frederick Johnson President from November 1944 to June 1953 Mr. Johnson began his business career in 1904 with the National Telephone Company in Southport, England where he was born. He immigrated to Canada in 1910 and joined Bell as a ledger-keeper that same year. He served successively as Accountant, Chief Accountant, Assistant Comptroller, Comptroller and Vice-President before being named President in 1944. His time in office was marked by the completion of Bell’s wartime service initiatives and the subsequent challenges of post-war development. ...more 1950 – 1969 1953 Television premiere Bell establishes the first permanent television link between 2 countries, bringing US programming from Buffalo, New York, to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto. ...more 1957 Always in when you’re out Bell introduces automatic telephone answering and recording sets to customers. 1960 The 7 digits Bell introduces All Number Calling (7-digit telephone numbers). Marcel Vincent President from 1963 to August 1968 CEO from August 1968 to December 1972 Montréal’s Marcel Vincent joined the company in 1927 following his graduation from l’Université de Montréal (École des Hautes Études Commerciales) with a Master’s degree in Commerce. Following a 4 year leave of absence for naval duty from 1941 to 1945, he returned to Bell, steadily advancing through a variety of management positions. As President and CEO, he guided the organization through important developments in computer and satellite communications. ...more Jean S. Carter Jean S. Carter joined Bell in 1945 as a clerk in the Personnel department in Montréal. In 1949, she transferred to the Employee Relations department as Staff Assistant, Employee Security Programs. In 1965 she was appointed General Supervisor, Benefits and Thrift and Secretary of the Employees’ Benefit Committee – the most senior position held by a woman at Bell up until that time. ...more Thomas Wardrope Eadie President from July 1953 to July 1963 Thomas Eadie graduated from McGill University with an Engineering degree in 1923 and immediately signed on with the company. Over the next 3 decades he occupied various engineering and administrative positions before being appointed President. In the 1950’s, Mr. Eadie presided over the company’s role in building the Trans Canada Microwave System, a major engineering achievement at the time. ...more 1958 A new era in data Bell launches Dataphone service in Montréal and Toronto, enabling the transmission of business machine data from punch cards and magnetic tape. ...more 1961 Beep!Beep! Bell introduces the Bellboy wireless paging system. 1964 Push the buttons Bell inaugurates Touch-Tone service, transforming the telephone into a data terminal. 1967 Custom services Introduction of Custom Calling Services including Speed Calling, Three-way Calling and Call Forwarding. Robert Carleton Scrivener President from August 1968 to January 1973 CEO from January 1973 to May 1976 Mr. Scrivener graduated with a degree in modern history from the University of Toronto in 1937 and joined the company the same year, taking on a variety of roles in the commercial, traffic, marketing and public relations departments until 1960. He held various roles including Vice-President Finance, Vice-President Operations and Executive Vice-President Operations. As President, he paved the way for the creation of Bell-Northern Research. His keen understanding of digital network technology drove Northern Electric, then a subsidiary of Bell, to become a leader in the international switching market. ...more 1956 Introducing DDD Bell offers Direct Distance Dialling service, enabling customers to dial long distance calls without operator assistance. ...more 1958 The microwave revolution Bell launches a 6,400-kilometer network of microwave links, the longest in the world, capable of transporting telephone conversations, Teletype messages and television signals. ...more 1962 Facsimile first Bell is the first telephone company in the world to offer a commercial facsimile service. 1965 – 1976 On July 30, 1965, President Marcel Vincent consented to modifications to the Company logo to reinforce the Canadian identity of ownership, management and service. The new logo displays the words “Bell Canada” and replaces both the English and French crests. In 1968, an Act of Parliament amended the company charter to include Bell Canada as one the legal names. ...more 1968 Bell Canada The new corporate name “Bell Canada” is authorized on March 7. 1970 – 1989 1971 A new switching system Introduction of the first Canadian-designed electronic switching system. 1973 The Dataroute The world’s first nationwide digital transmission network, called Dataroute, is launched. James Carden Thackray President from May 1976 to April 1983 CEO from April 1983 to October 1984 Following a career path influenced by his grandfather James E. Macpherson, a former Bell VP, James Thackray left McGill University in 1942 to join the Navy but resumed his studies after the war, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree before joining Bell in 1946. In the 1970s he began exporting the company’s telecommunications expertise to help several Middle Eastern countries advance their own communications networks, including Saudi Arabia. ...more 1977 A first step into the digital era Bell is the first company in North America to invest in digital switching technology, a vital long-term step into the digital era. ...more J.V. Raymond Cyr President from April 1983 to December 1986 CEO from October 1984 to December 1986 Born and educated in Montréal, Mr. Cyr earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from l’Université de Montréal (École Polytechnique) in 1958 before joining Bell as an engineer. In 1970 he was appointed Chief Engineer in Québec City, advancing to positions of increasing seniority. In addition to his responsibilities as President, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer in October 1984 and Chairman of the Board in October 1985. An exceptional engineer and executive, Mr. Cyr grasped both the technical and corporate opportunities at Bell in the early days of cellular technology. ...more 1985 Cell phone makes its debut Bell launches wireless service in Canada with 41 Bell Cellular employees and the first interprovincial mobile call between Montréal and Toronto. ...more Albert Jean de Grandpré President from January 1973 to April 1976 CEO from May 1976 to April 1983 A native of Montréal, Mr. de Grandpré graduated from McGill University in 1943 with a degree in Civil Law. He joined Bell Canada on January 1, 1966 as General Counsel and before becoming Vice-President Law, Executive Vice-President Administration, Executive (Eastern Region) and finally President of Bell Canada in 1973, where he presided over the creation of BCE Inc. in 1983. ...more 1974 A new kind of customer service Teleboutique / Phonecentre stores become the first Bell retail locations. Previously, customers consulted with a service representative and made an appointment to have equipment installed. ...more 1976 – 1977 Bell art director, Colin McMichael, simplified the bell to present a more contemporary look. Coincident with the introduction of this logo, a new corporate signature, a stacked “Bell Canada”, made its first public appearance. The signature and logo were not used together. In fact, the signature spelled the eventual demise of the pictorial bell. ...more 1977 Transmission at the speed of light Bell is the first to use fibre-optic technology on a public network, laying the foundation for today’s all-fibre consumer and business connections. ...more 1983 Bell Canada Enterprises On April 28, Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. (BCE) becomes the parent company of Bell Canada. All shareholders of Bell Canada become shareholders of BCE Inc. ...more Léonce Montambault President & CEO from January 1987 to April 1989 CEO from May 1989 to July 1990 Mr. Montambault graduated from Université Laval with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1957. He joined Bell in May 1957 and occupied various positions in the Engineering, Plant, Commercial, Traffic and Personnel Departments in Québec City, Montréal and Ottawa. Starting in 1976, he served in a variety of senior management positions, before his appointment as President. Under Mr. Montambault’s leadership, Bell successfully completed the full digital modernization of its network. ...more Claire Rochon Claire Rochon joined Bell in 1963 as a Long Distance Operator and later worked at the TV Operations Center and Switched Network Analysis Centre. In 1973, working on one of the longest toll main frames in North America, she became the company’s first woman Central Office (CO) Manager. ...more 1974 9-1-1 Bell deploys our first 9-1-1 emergency calling system for police, fire and ambulance. Marion Van Dyke Marion Van Dyke joined Bell in 1953 and went on to manage Bell’s $1 billion pension fund. In 1977, she became the first woman officer of the Financial Analysts Federation, a professional organization that represented more than 15,000 securities analysts and investment managers. ...more 1977 – 1994 Don Black, corporate design manager, was one of the key persons involved in developing this word-symbol version of the corporate logo, making its first appearance on company vehicles in 1977. It replaced the bell symbol that, in a succession of different forms, had served as the company’s official symbol since 1895 and was linked in many people’s minds with the “telephone company”. Bell was on its way to becoming much more. ...more Jean Andrea Bernard Jean Andrea Bernard joined Bell in 1961 and held a variety of Accounting positions over the years in Montréal and Ottawa before becoming Assistant Vice-President, Audits in 1980. In 1985 she is appointed Vice President of Personnel, becoming the first woman to hold a VP-level position at Bell. Mrs. Bernard was also known for her community involvement and her support for organizations that helped the under privileged. ...more Jean C. Monty President from May 1989 to June 1990 President & CEO from July 1990 to June 1991 CEO from July 1991 to October 1992 CEO from February 1998 to May 2002 Montréal-born Jean Monty graduated from Collège with a Bachelor of Arts degree, going on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago. He joined Bell in 1974 and held a variety of positions within BCE, including President of Télébec Ltée, Customer Service, Québec Region and Executive Vice-President of BCE. Mr. Monty was appointed President of Bell Canada in May 1989, bringing his deep experience and understanding of markets, telecommunications and technology to the helm of Bell and BCE. ...more 1990 – 2009 1990 New call management services Bell launches Call Management Service with 4 features: Call Display, Call Screen, Call Trace, and Call Return. ...more John T. McLennan President & CEO from January 1994 to September 1997 Mr. McLennan holds a Bachelor of Science and Master’s of Industrial Management degree from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. Prior to his appointment as President of Bell, he was President and CEO of BCE Mobile and President of Bell Ontario. During the McLennan era, Bell unveiled a 3-year plan to streamline operations in order to allow a more effective response to the market and Bell customers. ...more 1995 Bringing the Internet to our customers The launch of Sympatico Internet and our website Bell.ca. John A. MacDonald President from February 1998 to June 1999 Mr. MacDonald joined the company in 1994 as Executive Vice-President, Business Development and Chief Technology Officer, following a successful 17-year career with the New Brunswick Telephone Company. He is a graduate of Dalhousie University and the Technical School of Nova Scotia, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. ...more 1999 From telephones to satellite TV The first Bell World store opens in Montréal. Combining Bell Canada and Bell Mobility retail operations, the stores are the first in Canada to provide complete and integrated communications solutions including wireline, wireless, and direct-to-home satellite broadcasting services. ...more 2002 In the directory business since 1948 Bell Canada sells its directory business, including White Pages and Yellow Pages print directories in Ontario and Québec, YellowPages.ca and Canada 411. ...more 2004 Introducing FTTN Bell deploys fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) technology, an innovation that connects clients to the Internet beyond the reach of central office areas and enables faster transmission speeds. ...more 2005 125th anniversary Coast-to-coast celebrations were organized in 6 Canadian cities for Bell employees to mark the company’s 125th anniversary. ...more Karen Sheriff The former President and CEO of data centre operator Q9 Networks and a former President and CEO of Bell Aliant (2008 to 2014), Karen Sheriff joined Bell’s Board of Directors in April 2017. Ms. Sheriff was also a director of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and held various senior leadership positions at BCE. ...more George Cope President and CEO from July 2008 to January 2020 A graduate of the Ivey School of Business at Western University, George Cope created and led cellphone provider Clearnet before his appointment as Bell’s Chief Operating Officer in 2006, eventually becoming President and CEO in July 2008. In 2010, Mr. Cope led the launch of the Bell Let’s Talk initiative, the largest-ever corporate commitment to Canadian mental health and one of the country’s most prominent community investment campaigns. Under Mr. Cope’s leadership, Bell became the largest TV and Internet provider in Canada and executed numerous strategic investments and acquisitions, including leading brands like CTV, Astral, The Source, Bell Aliant, Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS), Virgin Mobile Canada, the Montreal Canadiens, and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, including the NBA Champion Toronto Raptors. ...more 1990 Environmental responsibility Bell establishes a full-time environmental group to manage a comprehensive company-wide program. The environmental policy is embedded in the company's Business Code of Conduct. ...more 1994 – 2008 On December 8, 1994, Bell Canada launched a distinctive new logo. At the center is the human profile, representing Bell employees and the focus of all their efforts, the customer. The profile is set within two open rings, symbolizing the dynamic future of telecommunications—the ability to transmit sound, image and data instantly, wirelessly, across all frontiers. The Bell name appears directly beneath the profile, a graphic representation of how the company supports customers in all their communications needs. As our primary colour for nearly two decades, the blue reflects and builds on tradition, but with a more vibrant tone. The warm yellow shade represents change. ...more 1997 Innovation at Bell Mobility Bell Mobility inaugurates its digital wireless network in Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec. ...more 1999 Internet goes mobile Bell is the first in North America to offer mobile Internet services. 2000 Supporting our communities Building on more than a century of corporate giving and active volunteerism of team members and retirees, Bell introduces a new Employee Giving Program to better encourage and recognize community involvement across our business units. ...more 2002 Launch of 3G network Bell Mobility launches the first 3G network in Toronto with 1X. 2005 Internet Protocol Telephony Launch of Bell IP telephony service, the first of its kind in Canada, delivering advanced IP-based communications together with the quality and reliability of Bell's networks, without the need for an Internet connection. ...more 2006 Going East BCE and Aliant form the Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund, combining Aliant's wireline telecommunications operations in Atlantic Canada with Bell wireline operations in its regional territories in Ontario and Québec. ...more 2008 On August 8, 2008, Bell launched a new logo, tagline and advertising campaign to underline its move forward. The new Bell logo is a strong and clear representation of the company that proudly wears the traditional Blue. The brand’s combination of strength and simplicity supports the company’s strategy of delivering a better customer experience at every level. ...more 2009 Expanding Bell’s reach Bell acquires The Source and Virgin Mobile Canada. Robert Kearney President & CEO from July 1991 to December 1993 A graduate of Queens University in Belfast, Ireland, Mr. Kearney joined Bell in 1958 at the Treasury Department before moving on to a variety of management and technical positions in Accounting and Systems. He accepted a position with Bell Telephone Laboratories in New Jersey in January 1968, returning to Bell Canada in July 1974 where he held increasingly senior management positions both within Bell and BCE. ...more 1995 A new website Launch of Bell.ca. Ronald W. Osborne President & CEO from September 1997 to February 1998 Mr. Osborne earned a degree from Cambridge University in 1968 before becoming an accountant at a Toronto-based firm 4 years later. He joined BCE as Chief Financial Officer in 1995 and was appointed President of BCE in 1996. ...more 1999 Creation of Bell Mobility Inc. BCE Mobile Communications Inc. becomes a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Bell Canada and is renamed Bell Mobility Inc. ...more John W. Sheridan President from October 2000 to June 2003 Born in Hamilton, Ontario, John Sheridan pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, ultimately obtaining a Master’s degree in business and economics at Queen’s University. He joined Bell in 1979 and held numerous executive positions during his 24-year career with the company. Under his direction as President, Bell focused its efforts on wireless and data markets, as well as the Internet, while expanding the company’s national reach. ...more Michael J. Sabia CEO from May 2002 to July 2008 A native of St. Catharines, Ontario, Michael Sabia joined the BCE group of companies as Vice-Chairman of Bell Canada International in October 1999. He assumed a dual role as BCE Executive Vice-President and Bell Canada Vice-Chair, Corporate on July 3, 2000 and became President of BCE later that year. In March 2002, he was appointed President and Chief Operating of BCE and Chief Operating Officer of Bell Canada, succeeding Jean Monty as President and CEO of BCE a few months later. ...more 2005 Calling with EV-DO Bell Mobility launches the mobile data network, EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized), the fastest mobile data network ever commercialized. ...more 2007 Women at Bell network The Women at Bell network is an employee-run group providing networking, professional development and mentorship opportunities to support the development, advancement and visibility of women as leaders within Bell. ...more 2008 Move from downtown Montréal After almost 80 years in its downtown location on Beaver Hall Hill, Bell moves its head office to a new campus facility on Nuns’ Island in the Montréal borough of Verdun. ...more 2009 Enhancing the network for the Olympics Bell launches enhanced HSPA+ wireless network in time for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. ...more 2010 – today 2010 TV on demand Bell launches Bell TV On Demand, the first national on-demand video service available to Canadian satellite TV subscribers. ...more 2010 Fibre to Québec City Fibre-to-the-Home lays the foundation for Québec City to become a model for the digital economy. Martine Turcotte Martine Turcotte joined Bell in 1988 and was appointed Chief Legal Officer in 2000, becoming the first woman at Bell to hold that title and also the youngest person ever to be promoted to Bell’s executive team. In 2011, she became Vice-Chair, Québec , overseeing Bell’s business throughout the province. She has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women multiple times. ...more 2012 Push-to-talk Bell launches next-generation mobile Push-to-talk service. 2013 Your favorite show on your smartphone Bell announces the launch of the new Bell TV app, enabling customers to watch content at home on their tablet or smartphones at no extra charge. ...more 2014 A 12,000 km journey for Bell Let’s Talk Clara's Big Ride a national bicycle tour by Bell Let’s Talk spokesperson and six-time Olympian, Clara Hughes, invites Canadians to join the mental health conversation. ...more 2016 5G trial Bell and Nokia complete Canada’s first trials of mobile 5G technology. 2017 A new messaging experience Bell Mobility is first to launch an integrated Advanced Messaging experience for Canadian smartphone users. ...more 2018 Record speeds Bell becomes the first wireless provider in Canada to achieve Gigabit LTE speeds. 2018 Connected home After BCE’s acquisition of AlarmForce, Bell launches the Bell Smart Home brand to accelerate growth in the Connected Home market. ...more Mirko Bibic President and CEO from January 2020 Bell’s current President and CEO, Mirko Bibic holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University and a Law degree from the University of Toronto. He joined Bell in 2004 as Senior Vice President, Regulatory, before serving as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer, eventually becoming Bell’s Chief Operating Officer in 2018, responsible for all operations of Bell Mobility, Bell Business Markets, and Bell Residential and Small Business. Mr. Bibic has played a critical leadership role in the company's strategic transformation over the last decade including the expansion of Bell Wireless Home Internet, the acceleration of Bell prepaid wireless and strategic planning for Bell's 5G future. ...more 2020 Launch of 5G Bell turns on Canada’s largest 5G wireless network. 2010 Bell Let’s Talk Launch of the Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative – an unprecedented, multi-year charitable program to support mental health across Canada. ...more 2010 Fast and reliable Internet with Turbo Hub Bell launches exclusive Turbo Hub on Canada's Best Network. 2011 Faster wireless service Bell first to launch 4G LTE in GTA, Canada’s largest wireless market. 2012 Bell’s got game Bell completes acquisition of ownership interest in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). 2014 Welcome, Bell Aliant BCE privatizes Bell Aliant, expanding Bell’s national team to include Atlantic Canada. 2015 Fastest technology in North America Bell is first in North America to introduce Tri-band LTE Advanced (LTE-A), the fastest mobile technology available; and launched Gigabit Fibe, bringing Canadians the fastest residential Internet speeds. ...more 2016 An enhanced TV experience Bell Fibe TV launches Canada's best 4K Whole Home PVR. 2017 Hello Manitoba Bell MTS officially launches in Manitoba, following BCE’s acquisition of Manitoba Telecom Services. 2018 A new platform for Canadian business Bell launches Canada's first cloud-based Virtual Network Services platform. 2019 Transition to 4G LTE Bell completes the shutdown of our CDMA wireless network on April 30 to further enhance our industry-leading LTE network. ...more 2020 Growing the television market Bell completes the acquisition of Québec conventional TV network V and the Noovo.ca digital video platform. ...more 2021 Bell announces a $1 billion capital plan To accelerate our fibre, rural and 5G network rollouts across the country – the biggest investment in the company’s history to date. ...more 2010 Launch of Bell Fibe TV The launch of Bell Fibe TV, our next-generation Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service. 2010 LGBT network Bell launches its LGBT Network, a national network of team members promoting the inclusion and professional development of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified team members and their allies at Bell. ...more 2011 Becoming a leader in content creation Bell completes the acquisition of CTVglobemedia, creating Bell Media. 2013 New opportunities in advertising Bell acquires Astral Média. 2014 Crave makes its debut Launch of Bell Media’s Crave streaming service. 2015 The biggest TV network Bell becomes the largest TV provider in Canada. 2017 Introducing Quad Band LTE-A The fastest wireless gets faster. Bell Mobility network becomes the first in North America capable of delivering Quad Band LTE Advanced speeds. ...more 2017 Lucky customers Launch of Lucky Mobile, our low-cost prepaid wireless service. 2018 An innovative security service Bell Mobility launches managed security service for business IoT and Smart City applications. ...more 2019 Black professionals at Bell Black Professionals at Bell (BPB) is created to support professional development, raise cultural awareness and attract new talent to ensure Bell maintains a work environment where everyone has the opportunity and support to achieve their full potential. ...more 2020 Selling data centres to Equinix Bell sells 25 data centre facilities to global data centre operator Equinix for $1.04 billion. Bell Business Markets becomes the first Equinix Platimun partner in Canada. ...more 2021 Launch of the new Virgin Plus brand In July, Virgin Mobile is rebranded to Virgin Plus. 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