MONTREAL, (Quebec), June 27, 2006 - Bell Canada, today announced another large scale IP (Internet Protocol) based implementation with RBC Financial Group. In January, 2006 Bell Canada announced that it will work with its partners Cisco Systems® Canada and IBM Canada to implement a fully managed solution for RBC, converting approximately 8,400 of the Bank's phone lines to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) at its head office location. Today, Bell Canada announced that it will convert RBC's approximately 1,300 branch offices from a legacy frame relay network to a consolidated IP Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network.
"We worked closely with RBC to design a scalable MPLS solution that will allow them to quickly increase bandwidth and easily add new applications to meet the needs of their growing business," said Renato Discenza, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Accounts, Bell Canada. "An IP MPLS network for RBC's branch offices will deliver a consistent, superior level of service while ensuring the most efficient use of the organization's resources. The agreement, once again demonstrates that Bell's strategy to become the Information Communications and Technology (ICT) leader in Canada is working."
The IP MPLS solution will provide RBC with the following benefits:
"At RBC we are continuously identifying innovative solutions that enhance our client service and help grow our business," said Dick Swadley, Executive Vice President of IT infrastructure for RBC. Bell is providing us with a single, consolidated next-generation solution for all of our branches and moves us to a much more functional, flexible and strategic platform while continuing to deliver high quality service and support to our customers."
About RBC Financial Group
Royal Bank of Canada (TSX, NYSE: RY) uses the initials RBC as a prefix for its businesses and operating subsidiaries, which operate under the master brand name of RBC Financial Group. Royal Bank of Canada is Canada's largest bank as measured by market capitalization and assets, and is one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies. It provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking, and transaction processing services on a global basis. The company employs approximately 70,000 full and part-time employees who serve more than 14 million personal, business and public sector clients through offices in North America and some 30 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.rbc.com.
About Bell Canada
Bell Canada, Canada's national leader in communications, provides connectivity to residential and business customers through wired and wireless voice and data communications, local and long distance phone services, high speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband services, e-business solutions and satellite television services. Bell Canada is wholly owned by BCE Inc. For more information please visit www.bell.ca.