OTTAWA -- Bell Canada today issued the following statement from Lawson Hunter, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Officer, BCE and Bell Canada, in response to the release of the final report of the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel:

This is a landmark report that will ignite a key driver of Canada's economy. The panel has acknowledged the rapid change taking place in the telecommunications and ICT sectors and set out a comprehensive framework for Canada to not only catch-up with our major competitors but move ahead. Just as important is their recognition of the urgent need to allow market forces to prevail in order to ensure Canadian consumers and businesses receive the full benefits of competition and innovation.

The Government of Canada now has a detailed blueprint for change and a method and timetable for action. This panel has done cutting-edge work. Their report positions Canada well to take a world-leading role in this dynamic and critical sector of the economy. It is in the interests of all Canadians that the government act quickly and decisively on the report's recommendations.

BCE Inc. (Bell Canada) (NYSE/Toronto: BCE)