FENELON FALLS, Ont. – Cartt.ca has learned Rogers Communications has purchased rural broadband provider Cable Cable of Fenelon Falls, Ontario.
“Cable Cable has been a cornerstone of our local communities since its inception in 1983,” said Michael Fiorini, CEO of Cable Cable, in the press release announcing the sale this morning. “From a small cable startup serving a single community to a multi-service telecom serving thousands; it has been quite the journey. I attribute our many years of growth and success to the committed local staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure we offer the best experiences possible for our customers. The decision to pass on this legacy was a challenging one, but I know that with Rogers at the helm even greater things will be possible.”
The company was founded by then-schoolteachers Tony Fiorini and David Pendlebury in 1983. They were frustrated they couldn’t see NFL games from their homes on Sundays and no existing cable company thought enough of the region to expand there – so they built a cable company serving Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon – and got their games.
The company really hit its stride under CEO Mike Fiorini into an operation which provides broadband, television and telephony services, some via fibre-to-the-home, to about 6,000 homes and businesses in the Kawartha Lakes district, which is about 140 kms northeast of Toronto. It’s known as the fastest and best broadband provider in its coverage area which, geographically, is as big as the GTA.
There will be no immediate changes for customers as the transition happens, “and they will continue to experience the same great products and service as they do today,” reads the release. Rogers also said it “is committed to continuing Cable Cable’s strong local presence and all employees will be invited to remain with the company.”
“We are thrilled to have the Cable Cable team and customers join the Rogers family and carry on the incredible legacy that Michael and his father Tony have built over the past 38 years,” said Ron McKenzie, senior vice-president, technical operations at Rogers. “We look forward to working with the hometown team and building on the great service they deliver, while investing in the community to connect even more Kawartha Lakes families and businesses to the latest products and services.”
Fiorini said he believes Rogers will continue to build out in this region, too. “I look forward to watching Rogers build on our existing footprint to bring their best-in-class products and services to more communities throughout the Kawarthas,” he said in the release.
– Greg O’Brien
