With Extended Range LTE, Freedom Mobile customers to have access to broader LTE coverage and stronger indoor wireless reception

CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 09, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shaw Communications Inc. today announced that Freedom Mobile has begun enabling its recently-acquired Band 13 700 MHz spectrum, starting in Calgary — improving network coverage and providing subscribers with enhanced indoor LTE coverage.

“Freedom Mobile’s Extended Range LTE leverages Band 13 700 MHz spectrum to provide customers with farther-reaching coverage and stronger indoor wireless reception than anything we’ve been able to offer to date,” said Paul McAleese, President, Wireless, Shaw Communications. “The deployment of additional spectrum is our latest step in creating an improved wireless experience that includes seamless connectivity, the latest handsets, and the high-speed LTE data plans that our customers are looking for.”

Shaw closed the acquisition of 700 MHz and 2500 MHz wireless spectrum licences from Quebecor Media Inc. in July 2017, enabling Freedom Mobile to progressively enhance its network in Southern Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.

The introduction of Extended Range LTE comes soon after Freedom Mobile’s rollout of Voice over LTE (VoLTE), which is now available nationally on select LG, Samsung, Sony, Motorola and Alcatel devices purchased directly from Freedom Mobile. This rollout will continue with additional Freedom Mobile handsets in the coming months, including eligible Apple devices.

With Extended Range LTE and VoLTE, customers can expect to experience:

• Faster call setup, reducing the time it takes for a dialed call to connect and begin ringing,
• Simultaneous voice and data LTE, so customers can use high-speed LTE data while on a call,
• Seamless switching between Voice over Wi-Fi and Voice over LTE without dropping the call,
• Enhanced indoor network reception,
• Expanded outdoor LTE coverage.

In addition, as part of its commitment to provide customers with an enhanced wireless experience, Freedom Mobile also launched Rich Communication Services (RCS), a protocol that allows Android customers to start group chats, see when someone is typing, and view read receipts by transmitting messages over a data connection.

More information about Freedom Mobile’s network and experience enhancements can be found at freedommobile.ca/coverage.

Freedom Mobile Inc. is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Shaw Communications.

About Shaw
Shaw Communications Inc. is a leading Canadian connectivity company. The Wireline division consists of Consumer and Business services. Consumer serves residential customers with broadband Internet, Shaw Go WiFi, video and digital phone. Business provides business customers with Internet, data, WiFi, digital phone and video services. The Wireless division provides wireless voice and LTE-Advanced data services through an expanding and improving mobile wireless network infrastructure.

Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B, SJR.PR.A, SJR.PR.B, NYSE - SJR, and TSXV - SJR.A). For more information, please visit www.shaw.ca

For media inquiries, please contact:                     
Shaw Communications Inc.                                      
Chethan Lakshman, VP, External Affairs                 
(403) 930-8448                                                          
chethan.lakshman@sjrb.ca

For investor inquiries, please contact:
Shaw Communications Inc.
Investor Relations
investor.relations@sjrb.ca

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Statements included in this news release that are not historic constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements include, but are not limited to: statements related to the deployment of the Band 13 700 MHz spectrum improving network coverage, providing further-reaching coverage and stronger indoor wireless reception; and statements related to expected customer experience with Extended Range LTE and VoLTE. These statements are based on assumptions made by Shaw that it believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. There is the risk that one or more of these assumptions will not prove to be accurate. Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement. Except as required by law, Shaw disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

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