Dip in profits contributes to "softer" third quarter at Bell Aliant

HALIFAX – Despite growth in its fibre-to-the-home product FibreOp, a drop in Bell Aliant’s profits resulted in “softer” third quarter results. Bell Aliant Inc. reported net earnings of $81 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2013, down $7 million from the third quarter of 2012. Operating revenues of $695 million decreased 0.4% from the same quarter last year as growth in TV, Internet, other data, wireless and other revenues were offset by declines in local and long distance revenues. Operating expenses of $368 million in the period were up 1.4% year-over-year, largely due to growth in TV content, marketing...