Bell first to bring Twitter's full SMS service to Canada

Full SMS version of popular Twitter service offers Bell Mobility clients

a unique way to stay connected while on the go

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario and SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell and Twitter today announced that Bell Mobility will be the first wireless carrier to offer Canadians full SMS (Short Messaging Service, or mobile text messaging) support for interacting with Twitter.

Twitter is a communication network that enables users to send and receive text based posts of up to 140 characters (known as "tweets"). Updates are displayed on a users profile page at Twitter.com and delivered in real time to those who've signed up for them. Twitter updates can also be received through integration with other social networking sites, including Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin (using Twhirl software) or via SMS, RSS or Twittermobile.

"Being the first wireless carrier to offer Canadians Twitter's fully interactive SMS service underlines our commitment to delivering popular and relevant content to our clients, including the latest social networking applications," said Andrew Wright, Director of Business Development at Bell Mobility. "Twitter is extremely successful, with millions of people regularly using the service to stay in touch with, family, friends and colleagues every day."

"It's very exciting to bring Twitter to Canada via SMS and we couldn't have asked for a more enthusiastic partner," said Kevin Thau, Director of Mobile Business Development at Twitter. "Bell's experience with mobile content was key to delivering Twitter's SMS component. This was crucial as the service relies heavily on two-way communication. I'm extremely pleased with the product and am confident Canadians will agree."

Twitter continues to grow at a phenomenal rate with active users increasing by 900% in the last year. As of February 2009, Twitter ranks as the third most popular social site after Facebook and MySpace.

Bell Mobility clients can access SMS service for Twitter for 15 cents for each message sent or received. For more information, please visit bell.ca/socialsites.

About Bell

Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing consumers with solutions to all their communications needs, including telephone services, wireless communications, high-speed Internet, digital television and voice over IP. Bell also offers integrated information and communications technology (ICT) services to businesses and governments, and is the Virtual Chief Information Officer (VCIO) to small and medium businesses (SMBs). Bell is proud to be a Premier National Partner and the exclusive Telecommunications Partner to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. For information on Bell's products and services, please visit www.bell.ca. For corporate information on BCE, please visit www.bce.ca

About Twitter

Twitter is a real-time, one-to-many communication network that is fast becoming the go-to source for finding out what is happening right now. People all over the world use Twitter to send and receive short updates via SMS, Web, or custom applications developed on its open developer platform. Twitter is a privately funded company based in San Francisco, CA. For more information or a free account please visit www.twitter.com.

Contacts

Julie Smithers
Bell Media Relations
(416) 528-9409
1-888-482-0809
julie.smithers@bell.ca