Montreal, 8 january 2003 ; Montréal;s transit corporation, the Société de transport de Montréal, has chosen Bell Canada as its

Press release

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) looks to Bell Canada’s expertise in communications systems integration
A ten-year agreement will lead to the implementation of scalable communications solutions that will enable the STM to improve its performance and better serve its clientele

Montreal, 8 january 2003 – Montréal’s transit corporation, the Société de transport de Montréal, has chosen Bell Canada as its exclusive provider of telecommunications services for the next 10 years, starting January 2003. The STM will benefit from Bell’s expertise in modernizing its wireline and wireless platforms, call centres, corporate network and vehicular communications. The agreement also provides for a potential partnership between the two companies to market jointly developed innovative applications that will capitalize on the expertise of the two companies in their respective business sectors.

Awarded through a tendering process launched in 2002, this contract will equip the STM with state-of-the-art communications systems that will more effectively meet the corporation’s performance requirements and the needs of its staff and the clients it serves daily in the Greater Montréal area.

"By integrating more powerful communications systems that are better adapted to our needs, the STM intends to reinforce its position as a leader in the public transportation industry," said Marielle Fournier, Director, Information Technology Services of the STM.

Under this mandate, Bell will modernize and enhance the STM’s five call centres, including the Telbus service. The call centres will be redeployed to an all-IP platform from Cisco, ranking them among the first in the country to adopt this cutting-edge technology. Bell will also introduce a scalable telephony platform as well as a data transmission network in order to respond to the corporation’s administrative needs. Furthermore, Bell will make its 1X next generation wireless telephony network available to the STM, making it possible to introduce innovative wireless applications on board vehicles and optimize the STM’s communications network, increase its security and better serve users. In addition, Bell will conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of wireless telephony throughout Montréal’s metro system. With this project, the STM could become one of the first transportation corporations in the world to offer this type of wireless service to its clientele.

"Bell is proud to be associated with the STM through this public-private partnership under which the STM will be equipped with communications solutions that will play a significant role in the achievement of the corporation’s strategic objectives and promote its business development," said Pierre Shedleur, Senior Vice-President, Business Market, Bell Québec. "This agreement is in line with Bell’s business plan, which aims to consolidate our position as the country’s leading communications solutions integrator."

About the STM
With a budget of $725.5 million and about 7,200 employees, the STM is the 15th largest company in Québec. Each day, it handles some 1.3 million daily commutes by bus, subway and adapted vehicles. In 2001, it has handled 356.2 million commutes on its territory.

About Bell Canada
Bell Canada, Canada’s national leader for communications in the Internet world, provides connectivity to residential and business customers through wired and wireless voice and data communications, high speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband services, e-business solutions, local and long distance phone. Bell Canada is owned by BCE Inc. of Montréal. For more information, please visit

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