Latest news with #MicheleAustin
Cision Canada
6 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Bell Canada and National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. to advance broadband and wireless access for rural and remote First Nations Communities Français
Joint agreement aims to close the digital infrastructure gap for high-speed Internet and wireless services in underserved First Nations communities Both organizations call on the CRTC to reverse its policy that discourages private sector investment in broadband network expansion Agreement builds on Bell's ongoing commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and First Nations communities 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. MONTRÉAL, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Bell Canada and National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (NICI) today announced a new Reconciliation Agreement with the shared goal to advance connectivity in rural and remote First Nations communities. NICI is a 100% Indigenous-owned technology company that advocates for wireless spectrum access and high-speed Internet for all First Nations. In response to the 2024 Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Indigenous Services Canada report, Closing the Infrastructure Gap, Bell and NICI will work together to expand infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030. This partnership builds on Bell's 2024 commitment, which affirms the company's ongoing dedication to fostering positive and mutually respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities. Bell and NICI will work collaboratively to implement their Reconciliation Agreement. As part of the agreement, Bell will work with NICI on long-term broadband and wireless deployment plans. Bell is also reaffirming its commitment that employees working with Indigenous communities complete training aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission 's Call to Action #92. Quote "Bell fully supports the National Indigenous Connectivity Inc's goal of closing the digital infrastructure gap in rural and remote First Nations communities. To close this gap, we need stable, long-term public policy and a regulatory environment that enables private sector investment in telecommunications networks. Together with NICI, we can build, grow, and connect Canadians to support continued private investment in critical network connectivity to First Nations communities." - Michele Austin, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Bell Canada. "Many Indigenous communities still lack reliable, high-speed internet, limiting opportunities and essential services. We believe that connectivity is a fundamental right – essential for education, economic development, healthcare, and self-determination. The National Indigenous Connectivity Initiative (NICI) is committed to advocating for all remote and rural First Nations across Canada to have access to spectrum and high-speed internet." - Leoni Rivers, Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. Bell is Canada's largest communications company 1, providing advanced broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media and business communication services. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit or Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let's Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit About National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (NICI) NICI is a national, Indigenous-led organization focused on advocacy, access to spectrum, and high-speed internet services for remote and rural First Nations communities across Canada. NICI is supported by the Assembly of First Nations and is focused on ensuring that all First Nations communities have access to the digital tools needed to thrive in the modern economy. The NICI calls for Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to support NICI in ensuring high-speed internet solutions developed by First Nations for First Nations, dedicated federal funding to ensure long-term investment in Indigenous connectivity initiatives and training, and for ISC and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to work directly with NICI to increase Indigenous service-provider capacities, access to spectrum, market data, and policy frameworks. _________________________________ 1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections. Contact: Bell Media Relations: [email protected] National Indigenous Connectivity Inc.: Leoni Rivers, Chief Executive Officer [email protected] Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the agreement between Bell Canada and NICI intended to advance connectivity in rural and remote First Nations communities (the "Reconciliation Agreement") and the benefits expected to result therefrom, the planned expansion of infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030, Bell Canada's and NICI's long-term network deployment plans, 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 Private 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 expansion of infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030, Bell Canada's and NICI's long-term network deployment plans, and the benefits expected to result from the Reconciliation Agreement, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and are based on certain assumptions including, without limitation, the prevailing regulatory environment as well as the availability of sufficient equipment, labour and capital. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the planned expansion of infrastructure and service delivery in underserved First Nations communities by 2030, as well as Bell Canada's and NICI's long-term network deployment plans, will be completed, or that the benefits expected to result from the Reconciliation Agreement 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 Quarter MD&A dated May 7, 2025 and BCE's news release dated May 8, 2025 announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, filed with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities (available at and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at These documents are also available at
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Netflix reveals Black Mirror series 7 launch date but fans demand a change
Netflix has announced a release date for Black Mirror season seven but fans are demanding a change. The next series will air on the streaming platform with a story about 'mind-expanding' technology and a follow-up to the show's popular USS Callister episode. In a new trailer released on Thursday (March 13), characters can be seen putting on technology that alters their 'neural structure', playing violent video games and working with artificial intelligence (AI). The clip also shows the USS Callister ship from the show's fourth series, which will be part of a new story, having been at the centre of a tale about a sci-fi video game and misuse of power in its first appearance. Black Mirror series seven will launch on Thursday, April 10, with Guardians Of The Galaxy's Will Poulter, Hard Truths' Michele Austin and People Just Do Nothing's Asim Chaudhry among the latest cast members to be announced. Further cast members revealed this week include Ben Bailey Smith (Andor), Josh Finan (Say Nothing), James Nelson-Joyce (A Thousand Blows), Jay Simpson (The Day Of The Jackal), and Michael Workeye (This Is Going to Hurt). Watch the full trailer on YouTube now. Speaking about the latest instalment of the dystopian show at a Netflix event in September last year, creator Charlie Brooker shared: 'You can expect a mix of genres and styles. 'We've got six episodes this time, and two of them are basically feature-length. Some of them are deeply unpleasant, some are quite funny, and some are emotional.' However, it seems fans are demanding a change to Black Mirror, following Netflix obtaining the rights from Channel 4 in 2014. Viewers want the dystopian show to be 'British' again after slamming the American transition. Taking to X following the new series announcement, someone said: 'Black Mirror should have remained British.' Another added: 'The Americanisation of Black Mirror is so annoying. The energy of the show doesn't feel natural anymore. It's far too glossy and has no dark humour." This person posted: 'I haven't fully enjoyed Black Mirror since all the proper American involvement with Netflix, it's not all bad by any means but the magic isn't there like it was on Channel 4.' One user wrote: 'The brits need to take back black mirror, it's been downhill since they americanized it.' Regardless, many are still excited for Black Mirror season seven – one X account out: 'I absolutely love the actors that Netflix get on black mirror!!! I can't wait for more thrilling, mind-bending stories!!!" 'Can't wait for the new season of Black Mirror,' someone else responded. Recommended reading: This Morning legend quits ITV show after more than 30 years - find out why Britain's Got Talent taken off TV schedules this weekend in huge ITV shake-up Mrs Hinch shares health update from hospital and urges fans to 'trust your gut' This fan exclaimed: 'I'M SO EXCITED I LOVE BLACK MIRROR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' Season six of the Netflix show included episodes such as Joan Is Awful, which saw a woman discover that the events of her life were being retold in a TV show, and Beyond The Sea, about astronauts who are able to transfer their consciousness to replicas of their bodies on Earth when not needed in space. Famous faces including Salma Hayek, Aaron Paul, Kate Mara, Rob Delaney, Michael Cera, John Hannah, Josh Hartnett and Zazie Beetz appeared in Black Mirror's sixth series.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Black Mirror season seven to air next month with ‘mind-expanding' tech story
Black Mirror season seven is to air next month with a story about 'mind-expanding' technology and a follow-up to the show's popular USS Callister episode. The new series will launch on April 10, with Guardians Of The Galaxy's Will Poulter, Hard Truths' Michele Austin and People Just Do Nothing's Asim Chaudhry among the latest cast members to be announced. In a new trailer released on Thursday, characters can be seen putting on technology which alters their 'neural structure', playing violent video games and working with artificial intelligence (AI). The clip also shows the USS Callister ship from the show's fourth series, which will be part of a new story, having been at the centre of a tale about a sci-fi video game and misuse of power in its first appearance. Further cast members announced on Thursday include Ben Bailey Smith (Andor), Josh Finan (Say Nothing), James Nelson-Joyce (A Thousand Blows), Jay Simpson (The Day Of The Jackal), and Michael Workeye (This Is Going to Hurt). Speaking about the new series of the dystopian show at a Netflix event in September last year, creator Charlie Brooker said: 'You can expect a mix of genres and styles. 'We've got six episodes this time, and two of them are basically feature-length. Some of them are deeply unpleasant, some are quite funny, and some are emotional.' Season six of the Netflix show included episodes such as Joan Is Awful, which saw a woman discover that the events of her life were being retold in a TV show, and Beyond The Sea, about astronauts who are able to transfer their consciousness to replicas of their bodies on Earth when not needed in space. Famous faces including Salma Hayek, Aaron Paul, Kate Mara, Rob Delaney, Michael Cera, John Hannah, Josh Hartnett and Zazie Beetz appeared in Black Mirror's sixth series.
