Nov 4 (Reuters) - Canadian telecom firm BCE

said on Monday it would buy internet services provider Ziply

Fiber for C$5 billion ($3.60 billion) in cash, as it looks to

expand its fiber footprint in the United States.

BCE's subsidiary, Bell Canada, will use C$4.2 billion of the

proceeds it got from selling its stake in Maple Leaf Sports &

Entertainment to Rogers Communications ( RCIAF ) to fund this

acquisition.

The buyout underscores Bell's attempts to boost its fiber

and internet business amid stiff competition in Canada.

After the deal closes, Bell said it would be poised to

expand its fiber footprint to more than 12 million locations

across North America by 2028.

Bell will also assume all of U.S.-based Ziply's debt of

around C$2 billion.

($1 = 1.3901 Canadian dollars)