Bell Canada Buys IT Firm

MONTREAL -- Bell Canada and Nexxlink Technologies (TSX: NTI - News) - a Montreal-based provider of integrated IT solutions - announced today that Bell will offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Nexxlink at a price of $6.05 per share for an equity value of approximately $67 million.

"This acquisition will enhance Bell's comprehensive set of integrated IT and telecommunications solutions that is important to the growth and competitiveness of Canadian Small and Medium-sized businesses," said Karen Sheriff, President, Small & Medium Business at Bell Canada. "This is another step that builds on our capability as the trusted technology advisor to SMBs across the country."

Bell will acquire Nexxlink's expertise in business operation automation software, outsourcing solutions, consulting and technical services, and infrastructure solutions. The making of the offer is subject to conditions described below. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur in February 2005.

"We are delighted with this transaction for our company's shareholders, employees, customers and business partners alike," said Karol Brassard, Nexxlink's Executive Chairman of the board. "Nexxlink has created strong shareholder value over the past year. This is a great opportunity to take our IT business to the next level and create new opportunities to better serve SMB customers."

"Our strong customer focus and very compelling IT solutions offering has helped us create rapid growth in our client base, gain significant momentum in the marketplace and improve our profitability. This transaction is a perfect fit with Bell's initiative to extend its IT capability in the SMB space," said Robert Courteau, Nexxlink's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Financial Considerations

The offer, to be made through a subsidiary of Bell Canada, will be an insider bid under applicable securities regulation as a result of Bell Canada's and its affiliates' relationships with CGI Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, a significant shareholder of Nexxlink. A special committee appointed by Nexxlink's Board of directors was formed to consider the offer and to supervise the preparation of a formal valuation of the common shares of Nexxlink. The offer provides Nexxlink shareholders with the opportunity to fully monetize their investment.

The special committee retained Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance Inc. to prepare the formal valuation which was delivered on December 9, 2004. Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance Inc. advised the special committee that the fair market value of the common shares of Nexxlink is within a range of $4.55 to $5.09 per share. At $6.05 per share, the offer thus represents a premium of approximately 26% over the mid point of the fair market value range as determined by Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance Inc.

The Board of directors of Nexxlink has also received an opinion from National Bank Financial Inc. that the offer is fair from a financial point of view to the shareholders of Nexxlink. The Board of directors of Nexxlink - with the exception of certain directors, who, although concurring with the determination and recommendation of the Board of directors and the special committee, abstained from voting solely due to their positions as directors, officers or significant shareholders of parties who have an interest in this transaction - has recommended that Nexxlink shareholders accept the offer.

Nexxlink has agreed to support the offer and not to solicit or initiate discussions or negotiations with any third party regarding Nexxlink. Under certain circumstances, Nexxlink has agreed to pay the offeror a break-up fee of $2,285,000, and the offeror has three clear business days to match any competing bid.

Key Nexxlink shareholders, including Karol Brassard, Nexxlink's Executive Chairman, and Conseillers en gestion et informatique CGI Inc. and Conseillers en systèmes d'information et en gestion CGI Inc., subsidiaries of CGI Group Inc., who collectively own approximately 41% of the outstanding common shares of Nexxlink on a fully-diluted basis, support the transaction and have agreed to tender their shares to the offer.

The offer will be subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals and acceptance by (i) at least 66 2/3% of the total number of issued and outstanding Nexxlink common shares, calculated on a fully-diluted basis, and (ii) not less than a majority of the total number of issued and outstanding Nexxlink common shares, calculated on a fully-diluted basis, excluding any common shares that may not be included as part of the minority approval of a second step transaction.

In addition, the making of the offer will be subject to the condition that all required securities regulatory authority approvals, consents and exemptive orders required in connection with the entering into of a non- competition agreement with Karol Brassard and certain entities controlled by Mr. Brassard and amendments to be made to the existing services agreement to which they are party, and entitlements thereunder, are obtained on terms and conditions satisfactory to the offeror and Bell. There can be no assurance that such approvals, consents and exemptive orders will be obtained.

Nexxlink's common shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol NTI. The closing price of Nexxlink's common shares on December 8, 2004 was $6.05.

The take-over bid circular is expected to be mailed to Nexxlink's security holders during the week of December 20, 2004. Bell Canada was advised by Scotia Capital Inc. and Nexxlink was advised by National Bank Financial Inc. on this transaction.

BCE Inc.