Technology

Bell announces offering of Series US-9 Notes and Series US-10 Notes

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2024

This news release contains forward-looking statements. For a description of the related risk factors and assumptions, please see the section entitled “Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” later in this news release.

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – Bell Canada (Bell) today announced the offering in the United States of US $1.45 billion aggregate principal amount of Notes in two series (the US Offering). The US $700 million 5.200% Series US-9 Notes will mature on February 15, 2034 and will be issued at a price of US $99.823 per $100 principal amount for a yield to maturity of 5.223%. The US $750 million 5.550% Series US-10 Notes will mature on February 15, 2054 and will be issued at a price of US $99.869 per $100 principal amount for a yield to maturity of 5.559%. The Notes are being publicly offered in the United States through a syndicate of underwriters. Closing of the offering of the Notes is expected to occur on February 15, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions. The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by BCE Inc.

Bell intends to use the net proceeds from the US Offering for the repayment at maturity of Bell Canada’s US $600,000,000 Series US-3 Notes due March 2024, to fund the remaining payment for the 3800 MHz spectrum licenses secured by Bell Mobility Inc. through the Canadian government’s 3800 MHz spectrum auction, and other general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of short-term debt.

The US Offering is being made in the United States pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated February 12, 2024 to Bell’s short form base shelf prospectus dated March 7, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-10. The Notes are not being offered in Canada or to any resident of Canada.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Copies of the short form base shelf prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of the Notes filed with securities regulatory authorities in the United States may be obtained from the Investor Relations department of Bell Canada at Building A, 8th floor, 1 Carrefour Alexander-Graham-Bell, Verdun, Québec, H3E 3B3 (telephone 1-800-339-6353). Copies of these documents are also available electronically on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval of the Canadian Securities Administrators (SEDAR+), at www.sedarplus.com, or on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system, administered by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR) at www.sec.gov.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this news release are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements relating to the expected timing and completion of the proposed sale of the Notes, the intended use of the net proceeds of such sale and other statements that are not historical facts. All such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the ‘safe harbour’ provisions of applicable Canadian securities laws and of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, by their very nature, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and are based on several assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events, and we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release describe our expectations at the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this news release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are provided herein for the purpose of giving information about the proposed offering referred to above. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The timing and completion of the abovementioned proposed sale of the Notes is subject to customary closing terms and other risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the proposed sale of the Notes will occur, or that it will occur at the expected time indicated in this news release.

About Bell

Bell is Canada’s largest communications company1, providing advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet, media and business communication services throughout the country. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.ca.

Through Bell for Better, we are investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities. This includes the Bell Let’s Talk initiative, which promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let’s Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives throughout the country. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

_______________________

1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections.

Media inquiries:
Ellen Murphy
media@bell.ca

Investor inquiries:
Richard Bengian
richard.bengian@bell.ca

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SOURCE Bell Canada

Technology

TestGrid Wins ‘Best Use of AI’ at India Digital Enabler Awards 2026, Powered by Entrepreneur India

Published

10 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

Recognition from one of India’s most prominent technology award platforms underscores a systems-first approach to enterprise AI — focused on control, reliability, and cost predictability

SURAT, India, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TestGrid has been named the winner of the ‘Best Use of AI’ category at the India Digital Enabler Awards (IDEA) 2026, organized by Entrepreneur India and held at Sheraton Grand, Bengaluru.

The award, judged by a panel including representatives from NITI Aayog, the Department of Science and Technology (Government of India), and IvyCap Ventures, highlights applied innovation across digital technology, enterprise systems, and artificial intelligence.

This result places TestGrid among IDEA honorees such as Reliance Foundation, Swiggy, Zepto, Groww, and Tata Teleservices—organizations known for translating technology into measurable enterprise impact.

TestGrid was selected for its approach to embedding AI within software testing—not as a standalone capability, but as part of a structured system built on real-device infrastructure, automation, and controlled execution environments.

As enterprise adoption of AI accelerates, organizations are increasingly encountering challenges around unpredictable, usage-based costs and limited execution control.

At the core of TestGrid’s approach is CoTester, its AI testing agent designed to operate within the software development lifecycle.

CoTester learns from product requirements, generates test scenarios, and executes them across real device and browser environments—while maintaining human oversight, traceability, and execution discipline.

Rather than replacing existing systems, CoTester operates as an integrated layer within TestGrid’s platform, where infrastructure, automation, and intelligence work together to deliver predictable outcomes at scale.

“AI in testing is only useful when it operates within systems that teams can trust,” said Harry Rao, Founder & CEO of TestGrid. “Our focus has been on building a foundation where intelligence is controlled, execution is consistent, and costs remain predictable. This validates the approach we’ve taken.”

This outcome comes at a time when enterprises are re-evaluating AI adoption models, particularly as token-based and usage-driven pricing introduces cost variability at scale. Testing environments—already fragmented across tools and workflows—become harder to manage when intelligence is introduced without system-level control.

TestGrid addresses this by consolidating testing infrastructure, automation, and AI into a single platform. This enables teams to execute tests on real devices, integrate with frameworks such as Selenium, Appium, and Cypress, and apply AI-driven capabilities without introducing operational unpredictability.

Following this milestone, TestGrid will continue expanding its AI capabilities within enterprise environments, with a focus on structured adoption, workforce enablement, and deeper integration into software delivery workflows.

To schedule a demo or explore TestGrid’s testing platform, visit testgrid.io.

About TestGrid

TestGrid is a leading provider of enterprise-grade testing infrastructure and automation solutions, trusted by the top Fortune 100. From infrastructure to software delivery intelligence, TestGrid empowers organizations to deliver high-quality software faster with cost-effective, scalable testing across web and mobile platforms.

Media Contact
Harry Rao
Founder & CEO, TestGrid
harry@testgrid.io

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Technology

NX China Pursues Industry-academia Collaboration at Beijing Wuzi University

Published

10 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

– Fostering Next Generation of Logistics Professionals through Endowed Lectures, Scholarship Awards, and Tree-planting Activities –

TOKYO, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nippon Express (China) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “NX China”), a group company of NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC., presented its 18th endowed lecture and conducted a scholarship award ceremony at Beijing Wuzi University on Thursday, March 26.

Logo: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dqm0cxpYamnvMUra1AGXMuGlX932Z353/view?usp=drive_link

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Founded in 1980, Beijing Wuzi University (hereinafter “BWU”) is an institution of higher learning specializing in logistics and distribution, and about 8,000 students are currently enrolled in its nine undergraduate faculties and 28 departments. One of these faculties, the School of Logistics established in 2006, ranks among China‘s best in its field and offers well-equipped educational facilities and an outstanding research environment.

NX China signed a letter of intent on strategic cooperation with BWU in 2012 and has since established “NX Scholarships,” presented endowed lectures, organized “NX International Logistics Classes,” and engaged in efforts of various formats designed to continually deepen industry-academia collaboration. Endeavoring to bring its long-standing cooperative relationship with BWU still closer, NX China has further introduced a comprehensive human resource development program titled the “Nippon Express Series.”

In the 18th endowed lecture, Business Division General Manager Zuo Jingcheng from NX China‘s Management Strategy Headquarters delivered a presentation on “NX China‘s Organizational Structure and Digital Transformation/Innovation” that introduced students to practical aspects of the logistics industry and cutting-edge initiatives. At the scholarship award ceremony that followed, certificates were presented to the ten recipients for the 2026 academic year. Their achievements to date were commended and they were encouraged to contribute to both industrial and social development by showcasing their talents on the global logistics stage in the future. This year‘s scholarship recipients also participated in a new initiative: planting six cherry trees in an on-campus tree-planting activity. Having these next-generation leaders take part in the tree planting proved a meaningful opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of environmental conservation while helping green the campus.

The NX Group will continue actively engaging in social contribution activities in the East Asia Region to foster talent capable of excelling in the logistics industry.

About the NX Group: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P317xr3Z9BzmG15Uqfv2iaVmWmhlmsqS/view?usp=drive_link

NX Group official website: https://www.nipponexpress.com/

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SOURCE NIPPON EXPRESS HOLDINGS, INC.

Technology

KuCoin Launches KuCard on Mastercard’s Global Network in Australia, Advancing Real-World Crypto Payments

Published

10 minutes ago

April 24, 2026

First KuCard rollout in Australia brings seamless crypto payments to millions of Mastercard merchants.

SYDNEY, April 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global crypto platform, today announced the launch of direct crypto payments via Mastercard’s global network for eligible users in Australia, enabling users to make everyday purchases using crypto wherever Mastercard is accepted. Through a partnership with Immersve, a principal member of the Mastercard network, the solution allows users to make crypto-backed purchases wherever Mastercard is accepted, including via Apple Pay and Google Pay—advancing KuCoin’s commitment to trust-first infrastructure and the real-world utility of digital assets.

Through the integration, USDC can be used to fund everyday spending in real time at the point of sale. At launch, the service supports 37 USDC trading pairs, enabling eligible users to pay with supported digital assets. At checkout, digital assets are converted to fiat currency for settlement through Mastercard’s global payment network—so users can pay with a familiar card experience without manually pre-converting funds ahead of time.

The launch reflects KuCoin’s broader trust-first strategy—strengthening security, transparency and compliance while expanding practical, real-world crypto usage. KuCoin continues to invest in resilient infrastructure for users and partners, focused on reinforcing confidence in the digital-asset ecosystem through security and accountability initiatives.

BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin, said: “Making digital assets useful in the real world requires trusted infrastructure—secure rails, clear compliance standards, and user-first protections. This launch brings Mastercard acceptance to our users in Australia, builds on our AUSTRAC DCE registration, reflecting KuCoin’s commitment to responsible innovation and the everyday utility of crypto as it integrates into global finance. This solution empowers our users to spend their assets easily, securely, and globally—wherever Mastercard is accepted.”

James Pinch, Australian Managing Director of KuCoin, added: “Australia is a fast-moving market for digital asset adoption. For everyday users, utility is the turning point. KuCard helps connect digital assets to real commerce through a familiar Mastercard payment experience—supporting broader adoption while reinforcing the importance of security, governance, and responsible innovation.”

“Collaborating with well-known and trusted brands like Mastercard and KuCoin is a major step toward mainstream adoption of digital assets for everyday purchases,” said Jerome Faury, CEO of Immersve. “Immersve is building the bridges between web3 and traditional finance on a global scale that enable individuals to spend crypto everywhere Mastercard is accepted. It’s a game-changer for everyone.”

Christian Rau, Senior Vice President of Digital Commercialization of Mastercard, added: “The partnership with KuCoin and Immersve is another example of Mastercard’s ongoing commitment to responsible innovation in the Web3 space. By enabling the spending of digital assets at scale in a safe, secure, and compliant way, we’re helping digital assets become truly usable in everyday life.”

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform built on trust and security, serving over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. Known for its reliability and user-first approach, the platform combines advanced technology, deep liquidity, and strong security safeguards to deliver a seamless trading experience. KuCoin provides access to 1,500+ digital assets through a broad product suite and remains committed to building transparent, compliant, and user-centric digital asset infrastructure for the future of finance, backed by SOC 2 Type II, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and ISO/IEC 27701:2019 Certifications. In recent years, we have built a strong global compliance foundation, marked by key milestones including AUSTRAC registration in Australia, a MiCA license in Europe, and regulatory progress in other markets.

Learn more: www.kucoin.com

About Immersve

Immersve is a principal member of the Mastercard network. Its issuing-as-a-service platform supports both centralised and decentralised payment experiences. Exchanges, web3 wallets and DeFi protocols can easily integrate with Immersve’s APIs and smart contracts to transact everywhere Mastercard is accepted, with no bank or fiat involved. Immersve is a regulated entity.

For more information go to www.immersve.com.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
www.mastercard.com

Axis One Markets Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Immersve Pty Ltd (ACN 658 192 057, AFSL No. 545925) and is authorised to provide certain financial services in respect of ‘KuCard’ on Immersve’s behalf, limited to the scope of its Corporate Authorised Representative agreement with Immersve Pty Ltd. ‘KuCard’ is issued or provided by Immersve Pty Ltd, and it is solely responsible for the issuance of that product, including all associated disclosures and obligations under its Australian financial services licence. Immersve Pty Ltd is not responsible for any financial products or services issued by Echuca Trading Pty Ltd. Before acquiring or using any such financial product or service, you should read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (“PDS”), Financial Services Guide (“FSG”), Target Market Determination (“TMD”), and any other disclosure documents issued by Immersve Pty Ltd.

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