Feb 7 (Reuters) - Canadian telecom services provider BCE Inc BCE.TO beat analysts' profit estimates for the fourth quarter on Thursday, as it benefited from growth in its wireless segment, which includes its high-speed internet services.
Wireless revenue rose 4.6 percent to C$2.25 billion, the company said.
BCE has been ramping up its investments in wireless technology to attract more individual customers as well as corporates. Last October, it partnered with Ford Motor (NYSE:F) Co's F.N Canadian division to provide built-in Wi-Fi hotspots in supported Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
However, the company, which is one of Canada's Big Three telecom firms along with Telus Corp T.TO and Rogers Communications Inc RCIb.TO , had 121,780 net postpaid wireless subscribers in the quarter, down about 31 percent from a year earlier.
Excluding items, BCE earned 89 Canadian cents per share, beating average analysts' estimate of 86 Canadian cents, according to Refinitiv data.
Montreal-based BCE's net income attributable to shareholders fell to C$606 million ($457.15 million), or 68 Canadian cents per share, in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, from C$656 million, or 72 Canadian cents per share, a year earlier. popularly known as Bell, said operating revenue rose about 3 percent to C$6.22 billion.
Rivals Rogers Communications and Shaw Communications Inc SJRb.TO also had reported better-than-expected earnings driven by strength in their wireless segments.
($1 = 1.3256 Canadian dollars)