On Oct. 22, 2002, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services assigned its single-'A'-minus senior unsecured debt rating to telecommunications company BCE Inc.'s C$1.5 billion debt securities, with maturities of up to 10 years. Proceeds will be used to fund the company's acquisition of SBC Communications Inc.'s (SBC) indirect minority interest in Bell Canada. At the same time, the ratings outstanding on the Montreal, Que.-based company were affirmed, including the single-'A' long-term corporate credit rating. The outlook is stable. The investment-grade ratings on BCE reflect the company's leading market position as the largest communications company in Canada; the expectation that Bell Canada will continue to be the single largest contributor to revenue and EBITDA; and BCE's commitment to maintaining a balanced capital
