MONTREAL and THUNDER BAY – Bell Nordiq Group and TBayTel announced late Tuesday they intend to create a northwestern Ontario telecommunications hub.
Further to their discussions, as previously reported by www.cartt.ca, both parties have agreed to not proceed with an equity partnership at this time, but rather will let their relationship evolve starting with “leveraging their collective strengths to expand into new markets and services and enhancing existing telecom offerings,” says the press release.
For example, TBayTel has an application before the CRTC to allow it to launch a terrestrial TV service, but needs help to do it.
"The contemplated alliance will allow us, as a first step, to leverage TBayTel’s strong knowledge of the local market and local brand recognition along with our strength as a leading regional telecom service provider," said Roch L. Dubé, Bell Nordiq’s president and CEO.
"This is another example of our desire to take TBayTel to new heights and ensure our customers are offered innovative telecom solutions," added Don Paterson, chair of the TBayTel Municipal Service board of directors. "This initiative strengthens TBayTel as an integral economic engine in our community and an important infrastructure in Northwestern Ontario," added Ken Esau, acting CEO of TBayTel.
No other details, such as the specific plans or timing of what the two companies might do, were made available.
Bell Nordiq Group, part of the Bell Nordiq Income Fund, holds a 63.4% interest in and is the general partner of regional telcos Télébec and NorthernTel. Bell Canada indirectly owns 100% of Bell Nordiq Group.
TBayTel is the largest independently owned telecommunications company in Canada, and is owned by the Municipality of Thunder Bay, Ont.
