The second largest Canadian operator Telus Corp (TU) has confirmed that it will be the exclusive carrier for Motorola’s (MOT) acclaimed Backflip smartphone in Canada. The device is expected to be available on the company’s 3G HSPA+ network in late 2010. However, Telus has not released any pricing information or any specific launch date.  The award winning Backflip is powered by Google’s (GOOG) Android operating system and is equipped with Motorola’s “MotoBlur" interface, which enables easy access to feeds and updates from various social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.  The multi-tasking device offers popular Google applications such as Gmail, Google Maps and Google Talk as well as YouTube. Backflip is one of the three MotoBlur android phones that Motorola plans to introduce in the Canadian market in 2010. US telecom behemoth AT&T (T) is set to launch Backflip on March 7, 2010, ...

BCE Inc (BCE), Canada’s largest telephone operator, announced results for fourth-quarter 2009 with adjusted (excluding restructuring and special items) earnings per share of 51 Canadian cents (48 US cents per ADS), beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 Canadian cents (46 US cents per ADS). However, adjusted earnings fell 7.3% year-over-year.

For full-year 2009, adjusted earnings per share were C$2.50 (US$2.19), also above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of C$2.35 (US$2.06).

Reported net income for the quarter was C$350 million (US$331 million) or 46 Canadian cents per share (43 US cents per ADS) compared to a net loss of C$48 million (US$40 million) or 6 Canadian cents per share (5 US cents per ADS) reported in the prior-year quarter. In the year-ago quarter, BCE registered a loss on investments of C$372 million (US$307 million) related to write-downs on non-core investments.

Consolidated revenue for the quarter was C$4.65 billion (US$4.05 billion), up 3.9% year-over-year,

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Bell Canada, the wireless arm of Canada’s largest telecom service provider BCE Inc (BCE), has announced that its wireless products are now available exclusively at “The Source," a leading Canadian consumer electronics retail chain with nationwide presence. Moreover, the Canadian retail giant has also commenced selling products from Virgin Mobile Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Canada.    Cell phone users across Canada now have direct access to the state-of-the-art cellular handhelds (including popular smartphones such as iPhone and BlackBerry Bold 9700) and related services from both Bell Mobility and Virgin Mobile Brands. Moreover, customers have access to Canada’s fastest and largest 3G wireless network.   Bell Canada officially launched its much-anticipated HSPA+ technology based 3G network in Nov 2009, offering peak downlink speeds of up to 21 megabits per second. This network upgrade has unlocked the opportunity to enhance wireless voice and data service deployments, ...

Telus Corp (TU), Canada’s second largest telecom carrier, has released financial targets for 2010 while lowering its forecasts for the current year. The revised target for 2009 reflects the impact of a sluggish Canadian economy on the company’s wireline business, launch of the new wireless network, cost associated with the launch of new smartphones (including the iPhone) and increase in restructuring cost in the fourth quarter. The company now expects overall revenue for 2009 to reach C$9.6 billion (US$9.06 billion), at the lower-end of its previously forecasted range of C$9.6–C$9.7 billion (US$9.06–US$9.15 billion). Revised EBITDA target of C$3.475 billion (US$3.28 billion) for 2009 also represents the lower-end of the earlier guidance of C$3.475–C$3.575 billion (US$3.28–US$3.37 billion). However, EPS guidance remains unchanged at C$3.10–C$3.30 (US$2.92–US$3.11). Capital expenditure (CapEx) target for 2009 has been kept unchanged at $2.1 billion (US$1.98 billion). Total restructuring expenses have been ...

Telus Corp (TU), Canada’s second largest telecom carrier, has reportedly expanded coverage of its Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services in western Canada. The company’s IPTV service is now available to the residents in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat in Alberta and Campbell River in British Columbia. Telus offers its IPTV service (as Telus TV) which provides video and broadcast services to customers in selected markets in Canada. Telus TV, which is being positioned as an alternative to cable TV, offers more than 390 channels (including 35 High Definition TV channels), Video-On-demand service and a personal video recorder (PVR). The company’s IPTV subscriber base exceeded the 100,000 milestone in April 2009, supported by increased adoption by high-speed Internet customers, aggressive promotional initiatives and attractive feature additions. Telus expanded its IPTV service offering with the launch of Telus Satellite TV in British Columbia and Alberta ...

Telus Corporation (TU) reported results for third-quarter 2009 with adjusted (excluding favorable tax related adjustments) earnings per ADS of 76 US cents (83 Canadian cents per share), missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 79 US cents. Adjusted earnings also declined from 86 US cents per ADS (89 Canadian cents per share) reported in the year-ago quarter.  Reported net income for the quarter registered C$280 million (US$209 million) or 87 Canadian cents a share (79 US cents per ADS), declining 2.1% year over year. Excluding the impact of tax-related adjustment of $14 million, net income declined 7% year over year. Telus remains challenged by the weakening Canadian economy, which is mostly affecting its wireline business.  The second largest Canadian telecom carrier reported revenues of C$2.4 billion (US$2.2 billion), down 1.6% year over year due to persistent decline in voice revenues. Consolidated EBITDA decreased 5.3% year over year ...

Telus Corp (TU), Canada’s second largest telecom carrier, has officially announced the launch date and pricing of Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone (3G and 3GS). The company will commence selling the highly popular device on Nov 5, 2009. Moreover, Telus will also unveil its new HSPA (high speed packet access) based 3G wireless networks on the same day to support the iPhone launch.  Telus will sell iPhone 3G (8GB) for $99.99 with a 3-year contract and for $599.99 without any contract. The company has priced iPhone 3GS (16 GB) at $199.99 with a 3-year contract and $699.99 without contract. The 32 GB version of iPhone 3GS will be sold for $299.99 (with contract) and $799.99 (without contract).  Canada’s largest wireless carrier Rogers Communication (RCI) has been the sole distributor of iPhone in the country since July 2008, leveraging its GSM and HSPA wireless networks. However, the ...

Bell Canada , the subsidiary of incumbent Canadian telecom carrier BCE Inc (BCE), and Telus Corp (TU) have reportedly inked agreements with Apple Inc (AAPL) to market iPhone (3G and 3GS) in Canada in November 2009. This will effectively end the country’s largest wireless carrier Rogers Communication’s (RCI) exclusive distribution rights to the popular handset. Since July 2008, Rogers Communication has been the sole Canadian carrier to market iPhone in the country as the device is compatible with the company’s GSM and HSPA (high speed packet access) based wireless networks. In contrast, both Telus and Bell Canada currently operates CDMA based networks which does not support the revolutionary smartphone. Rogers continues to enjoy greater share of the Canadian wireless market driven by strong customer additions on a quarterly basis, given its iPhone advantage. Bell Canada and Telus remain behind in terms subscriber growth. ...

Bell Canada, the subsidiary of incumbent Canadian telecom carrier BCE Inc. (BCE), has reportedly accelerated the deployment process of its next-generation high-speed wireless network. The Canadian operator will begin commercial launch of the much anticipated 3G high speed packet access (“HSPA") network in November, ahead of the originally scheduled launch in February 2010.     The 3G HSPA network represents an upgrade to Bell Canada’s existing CDMA based wireless network and is set to emerge as the largest HSPA network in Canada . The company has collaborated with its Canadian peer Telus Corp. (TU) for sharing the expenditures (estimated to be US$1.05 billion) related to this advancement which will support a vast range of next-generation smartphones (including iPhone). Moreover, Bell Canada has signed a North American roaming agreement with AT&T (T).   Bell Canada is expediting the HSPA network launch as the company targets to leverage ...

Telus Corp (TU), Canada’s second largest telecom carrier, has reportedly acquired Black’s Photo Corporation (Black’s), a leading imaging and digital retailer in Canada , for C$28 million (US$26 million). For nearly 80 years, Black’s has been a premier distributor of cameras, accessories, albums and printing services that are complementary to Telus’ wireless offerings.  Telus’ wireless devices will feature in Black’s nationwide retail outlets, addressing the growing demand for mobile handsets embedded with high quality photo and video capability. Telus remains the industry leader in offering the broadest assortment of smartphones in Canada. Strong smartphone adoption and the associated increase in data service usage continue to catalyze wireless data revenue growth.  Telus contends with a weakening Canadian economy and domestic competition, which would intensify with the entry of new wireless players (including Globalive Communications and Quebecor Inc) in late 2009 and early 2010. The company continues to ...