Bell is turning its AI infrastructure plan into physical construction. On its second-quarter earnings call, executives pointed to data centers, enterprise AI, and fiber as growth engines.
The Canadian operator said its Bell AI Fabric has moved beyond planning. Its flagship Saskatchewan AI campus now shows visible construction progress. The site will deliver 300 megawatts of capacity when complete.
Mirko Bibic, Bell’s chief executive officer, gave investors a clear update. “Bell AI Fabric continues to move from announcement to execution. Saskatchewan remains on track with construction progressing at the 300-megawatt facility and first phase operations expected in the first half of 2027,” the executive said.
Bell also confirmed progress at other facilities. Its Winnipeg site should enter service in late 2026. Merritt Phase 2 should follow in early 2027. That project involves Cohere, BUZZ HPC, and Hypertec.
At the Saskatchewan campus, crews have completed piling work. Structural steel construction has now started. These details matter because AI infrastructure requires large buildings, reliable power, and strong connectivity.
Bibic added: “We now have approximately 335 megawatts of contracted capacity, real facilities, real construction milestones, real customer commitments, all supporting the long-term AI-powered solutions growth platform we’re building.”
The strategy gives Bell a stronger role in enterprise technology. The company wants to serve organizations that need secure AI systems. That includes governments and large businesses with sensitive data requirements.
Bibic explained the approach in broad terms. “We’re bringing together cloud, cybersecurity, AI adoption, data sovereignty, connectivity, and AI infrastructure for enterprise and government customers,” he said.
This package could help Bell move beyond classic connectivity revenue. It can sell more value-added services to existing enterprise customers. However, large AI campuses need heavy capital spending and steady demand.
Chief financial officer Curtis Millen said Bell still controls traditional telecom costs. “Putting aside the highly accretive AI fabric investments, our Canadian telco capex declined year-over-year, consistent with the disciplined multiyear reduction we’ve been executing,” Millen said.
Bell expects most Saskatchewan spending to occur in 2026’s second half. That timing may pressure near-term budgets. Yet it could support future revenue if enterprise AI adoption keeps rising.
Meanwhile, fiber remains central to Bell’s network growth. The company added more than 45,000 Canadian residential FTTH internet subscribers during the quarter. Including Ziply Fiber, additions reached nearly 55,000.
Ziply Fiber is also preparing a faster build pace in the United States. Permit submissions rose sharply during the second quarter. Bell expects stronger construction activity as contractors, engineering teams, and fiber supplies align.
Bell also reaffirmed its full-year guidance. The company continues to target cash flow growth and balance sheet improvement. Last year, it projected CAD1.5 billion in AI-related revenue by 2028. That equals about $1.07 billion.
