Samsung’s first entry into the Canadian market via Videotron

Leveraging the global experience of 5G commercialization from leading 5G markets including Korea and the U.S., Samsung to accelerate 5G deployments across the globe

Samsung Electronics today announced that it will provide 4G LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) and 5G radio access networks solutions to Videotron, a Canadian telecommunications operator. This is the first time Samsung is delivering network solutions in Canada.

After many successful decades in the cable television and internet access business, Videotron deployed its wireless operation in 2010 and has been the fastest growing new operator since then. Currently providing 4G LTE service, Videotron plans to launch commercial LTE-A and 5G services in late 2020.

Starting in early 2020, Samsung will deliver 4G LTE-A solutions across Quebec and Ottawa in which the solutions from Samsung include Massive MIMO and Dual-band base stations, supporting the operator’s 4G LTE frequencies, and 5G solutions for both 3.5GHz and 28GHz spectrum.

Providing commercially proven 4G LTE-A solutions and combined with 5G commercial solutions from global markets, Samsung will increase efficiency in accelerating expansion of 5G service coverage to match pace with Canada’s 5G commercial launch, which is expected to take place in late 2020.

“We have been all over the world to find the best supplier suited to meet the evolving needs of our customers. This partnership will allow us to deliver the most advanced telecommunications solutions to Quebecers. While 4G technology has profoundly transformed telecommunications in the world, LTE Advanced and 5G will undoubtedly revolutionize the way we interact with our loved ones and the environment around us,” said Jean François Pruneau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Videotron. “We want to be with our customers through these major changes and the choice of Samsung as a supplier is not a coincidence, we are convinced that they represent the best option to achieve this objective. Videotron has always been at the forefront of major technological changes and the arrival of 5G is no exception. Today’s announcement is a very proud moment for us.”

“Signing a contract with Videotron to provide 4G LTE-A and 5G network solutions will be marked as a significant milestone for Samsung, and Samsung will be the part of evolving next generation of mobile communication technologies in Canada by delivering advanced technologies,” said Paul Kyungwhoon Cheun, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “Leveraging the global experience of 5G commercialization from leading 5G markets like Korea and the U.S., Samsung will increase its position in 4G LTE and 5G vendor market.”

About Videotron

Videotron (www.videotron.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access, cable telephone and mobile telephone services. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its Helix home entertainment and management platform. As of September 30, 2019, Videotron was serving 1,545,200 cable and IP television customers, while Club illico, the over-the-top video service, had 443,500 members. Videotron is also the Quebec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 1,724,300 subscribers to its cable service as of September 30, 2019. As of the same date, Videotron had 1,288,700 subscriber connections to its mobile telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to 1,052,700 Quebec households and organizations. Videotron was recognized amongst Canada’s top 100 employers as well as Montréal’s top employers.