Full-service telco Bell Canada (including Bell Mobility) posted a 3.0% year-on-year rise in total revenues in Q3 2013 to CAD4.524 billion (USD4.339 billion), as the inclusion of new pay-TV asset Astral contributed to Bell Media revenue growth of 21.6%, alongside wireless revenue growth of 4.1%, higher internet service revenues, growth in IP connectivity and business service solutions revenue, plus greater business data product sales. Bell Canada’s EBITDA increased by 3.0% y-o-y in July-September 2013, driven by 26.8% growth at Bell Media and 11.6% growth in wireless EBITDA. This was moderated by a 5.6% decline in wireline EBITDA that reflected a non-recurring gain a year earlier on the phase-out of post-employment benefits and a reduction in amounts payable to the CRTC related to the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF), which collectively totalled CAD29 million. Excluding these two items, wireline EBITDA decreased by 2.7% in 3Q13. Bell’s consolidated EBITDA margin remained unchanged at 38.4%, as the group reported higher wireless ARPU, a lower volume of wireless post-paid activations and customer upgrades compared to last year, diminishing wireline voice erosion, and stabilising business markets performance. Consolidated net profit at group parent BCE slumped by 35% year-on-year to CAD343 million in the third quarter, due to CAD230 million costs to meet regulatory obligations related to the CAD3 billion acquisition of Astral closed in July.