Rogers and Microsoft announce strategic alliance to revolutionize hybrid workplace communications and power 5G innovation across Canada with Azure

• Rogers chose Microsoft to modernize applications and services and will leverage Microsoft's capabilities to enhance customers' digital experiences
• Rogers is now Canada's largest operator partner of Microsoft Teams solutions and is the first in Canada to offer Operator Connect Mobile, a new all-in-one communications and collaboration solution built on Microsoft Teams
• The two companies will combine Rogers most reliable 5G network with Azure unlocking 5G multi-access edge computing and driving innovation

TORONTO, March 16, 2022 /CNW/ - Today, Rogers and Microsoft announced a five-year strategic alliance to help enterprise and small and medium business customers accelerate digitization and take full advantage of hybrid work and 5G-enabled solutions. Rogers has selected Microsoft Azure as its strategic cloud for infrastructure and technology workloads and will leverage Azure's public cloud capabilities to power innovation, unlock new customer experiences and enable employees to collaborate with more agility across the organization.

Rogers is the first in Canada, and one of the first companies globally, to offer Operator Connect Mobile. This industry-first, all-in-one communications and collaboration solution will enable organizations to upgrade legacy infrastructure, significantly reduce costs on redundant wireline voice services, and enhance customer and employee experiences via a unified and enterprise compliant Teams experience. This alliance builds on the two company's long-standing relationship which has led Rogers to be one of Canada's largest resellers of Microsoft 365 and Teams solutions.

"Landlines and legacy voice services are rapidly being replaced by mobile – the workplace is shifting, and our customers have embraced new ways of working," said Ron McKenzie, President of Rogers Business. "Together, we are bringing Operator Connect Mobile to Canada, which will help businesses save up to 50% in costs by upgrading outdated, expensive legacy voice infrastructure and shifting to a best-in-class digital calling experience. We're proud to power the latest digital connectivity advances for Canadians and look forward to playing a pivotal role in helping businesses thrive in the new world of work."

Operator Connect Mobile, powered by Rogers for Business, will offer customers a fully integrated voice calling experience, improving availability and responsiveness, and allowing people and businesses to work securely from anywhere across the devices of their choice. With Operator Connect Mobile, customers will have the flexibility to make and receive calls on Teams using the Rogers network, giving users the ability of placing outbound calls through the collaboration enhanced Microsoft Teams application, integrated IP Phones, or directly through the native dialer on a customer's SIM enabled mobile device. Organizations will also benefit from a unified communications experience through a single app, streamlined technical support as well as direct peering to Rogers Network for enhanced network resilience.

"Canada's success in the 21st century economy requires widespread adoption of digital technologies. Canadian businesses of all sizes are re-envisioning how they can use technology, including Microsoft Teams, powered by Azure to deliver a more seamless experience across their mobile device and PC," said Kevin Peesker, President, Microsoft Canada. "As the first company to announce Operator Connect Mobile in Canada, and by bringing Rogers' most reliable 5G network together with Microsoft Azure's cutting-edge cloud services, we are laying the foundation to empower Canadian businesses to compete globally."

Microsoft's focus on placing cutting-edge security at the heart of business will be combined with Rogers' own expertise and extensive threat intelligence, providing customers a trusted and reliable voice calling platform. Through this alliance, Rogers will build on its extensive capabilities as the largest SIP provider in Canada to provide solutions for business and will become Canada's largest operator partner of Microsoft Teams solutions.

The delivery of secure and powerful services and applications requires a modern technology infrastructure. Microsoft and Rogers will work together to optimize networks, enabling highly reliable, cost-effective, and secure services, providing seamless experiences for customers across Microsoft's cloud and Rogers' network. The two companies will continue to partner, invest and collaborate on delivering Rogers digital transformation journey, building on a longstanding relationship of mutual cooperation over decades. Rogers will leverage Azure's enhanced data and AI capabilities across its business to enable use cases and operational improvements through Microsoft's new Data Centre of Excellence in Toronto.

"Our alliance with Microsoft further enhances both our 5G network leadership and our customer's experience," said Jorge Fernandes, Chief Technology & Information Officer, Rogers. "Together, we'll provide the next-generation service innovations for business customers that will support Canada's growth and prosperity in the years ahead. With this first in Canada alliance, Rogers and Microsoft are opening all-new opportunities in 5G MEC and introducing the next chapter of global hybrid work just as Canada recovers from COVID-19 and looks forward to the economic, social and sustainability advantages of 5G."

The two technology companies will also explore collaboration on R&D opportunities to support the Internet of Things and Mobile Edge Computing to advance 5G innovation and Canada's digital economy. Early access to Microsoft's cloud, AI and edge technology will provide Rogers with the flexibility it needs to rapidly innovate and launch new services and customer experiences enabled by 5G.

About Rogers
Rogers is a leading Canadian technology and media company that provides world-class communications services and entertainment to consumers and businesses on our award-winning networks. Our founder, Ted Rogers, purchased his first radio station, CHFI, in 1960. Today, we are dedicated to providing industry-leading wireless, cable, sports, and media to millions of customers across Canada. Our shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For more information, please visit: rogers.com or investors.rogers.com.

About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca.

SOURCE Microsoft Canada Inc.

[email protected], 1-844-226-1338; Alena Atkinson, Veritas Communications, [email protected]