The higher capacity systems and plans are in turn leading to more revenue, said company chief executive
"Customers using 5G handsets with 5G plans are definitely consuming significantly more data, and therefore, the monthly recurring revenue is higher from that base of customers."
The company is expecting to see a similar trend as it continues to roll out its fibre network for wireline customers, he said.
"I have quite a bit of confidence that there will be significant demand for the higher speed tiers."
The company is aiming to reach up to 900,000 more homes and businesses this year with direct fibre connections as well as expand its 5G network. With the new networks in place, BCE will also look to saving on maintenance costs as it begins to decommission its copper wireline network in 2023 and beyond.
Looking further ahead, Bibic said it's still just the beginning of understanding the potential of 5G networks.
"It will be a bit like 10, 15 years ago when we moved to 4G, and who would have foreseen at the very, very, very beginning the extent of the apps that would be unveiled for the consuming public to enjoy on their handsets, and I'm expecting the same kind of thing with 5G."
Chief financial officer
"It's really just blocking and tackling, being cost conscious as we always are trying to find improvements, reducing calls into our contact centres, doing a really good job with self-serve, and fibre is the gift that just keeps on giving. Everywhere we expand fibre, we have lower costs to operate."
He said store traffic and consumer confidence seem to have remained strong in April, despite signs of economic headwinds.
The company is also feeling some pandemic and supply chain pressures, including in its wireline business segment where there was a 28.6 per cent decline in product revenues because of a lack of equipment availability.
"Omicron undoubtedly is causing some near-term disruption, notably for Bell Business Markets and media advertising," said Bibic.
Overall the company said its profit attributable to common shareholders totalled
Operating revenue totalled
Wireless revenue rose to
On an adjusted basis, BCE said it earned
RBC analyst
"Excluding one-time items, we view Q1/22 underlying results as slightly better than forecast driven by solid wireless results that balance growth and profitability."
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Companies in this story: (TSX:BCE)
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