VANCOUVER – Syntagma Network Services, led by former Telus executive Theresa Carbonneau, last week launched on the Canadian telecom scene.
It says it has "Canada’s first independent, fully integrated telephony, IT and data service," in the press release.
"Syntagma’s innovative service allows businesses and consumers to bypass the big phone companies, allowing subscribers to get all of their phone, fax and Internet services together on one bill, at a 30% to 50% savings. Syntagma’s new service puts an end to costly user fees such as extra charges for voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding, as well as expensive long-distance charges."
“There is a myth among consumers that you have to stay with Telus or Bell to get phone and Internet service,” says Syntagma Network Services CEO Theresa Carbonneau. “The big telcos don’t want people to know that smaller companies like Syntagma offer the same professional grade, reliable service to anyone, regardless of the size or nature of their business, for less cost.”
Business subscribers make a minor initial investment in equipment, and then pay a low monthly rate. Entry-level SMB packages start at approximately $35 per line, per month – saving approximately 50% over a regular business line from one of the major carriers, says the company.
The company’s small business plan offers a full suite of services including broadband connectivity, voice services, e-mail and web hosting, exchange server hosting, virus scanning and fire walls, and secure remote backup.
“Consumers no longer have to pay for big telco’s costly services. Now they can reap huge savings by routing their long distance calls reliably through the Internet,” added Carbonneau. “Syntagma gives small and medium-sized businesses a painless way to move to VoIP telephony and converged data services.”
The company’s managed IT services include a 24/7 customer support system, able to help with everything from software issues and viruses to how to format a document in Word. Syntagma guarantees a response within two-to-four minutes of receiving a question via chat and within two hours via email.
The company is partnered with Toronto-based Pathway Communications.
Home consumers also have a cheap free way to switch from the big telcos with VoiceCool, a new $15 monthly package that includes a basic phone and a choice of national or international calling plan. Information is available at www.voicecool.com.
Carbonneau has 20 years of senior management experience at companies like Telus and British Telecom, and says Syntagma is the natural evolution of years of deregulation and technological developments allowing the marketplace more choice for its telephony needs.
