Bell Canada Extends Reach of New National Broadband Company Into
United States
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--Bell Canada President and Chief Operating Officer John A. MacDonald today announced the expansion of its National Broadband
Company's fibre network into the United States.
Bell has reached an agreement with Telergy Inc. of New York State for a 20-year lease on dark fibre optic cable over two diverse routes between Montreal and
New York City and Toronto and New York City. Telergy is a fibre network developer and competitive local exchange carrier operating in North Eastern United
States.
''This acquisition will extend our network into the important New York City market, supporting the implementation plans for our national company,'' said Mr.
MacDonald. ''It will also provide valuable network transport capacity for future North American and international traffic initiatives, and can serve as an alternative
high-speed transport route for traffic over the Montreal to Toronto corridor. It is yet another sign of our determination to build the most advanced and far-reaching
broadband and Internet Network in this country.''
This latest acquisition complements the purchase of fiber optic facilities between Toronto and the West coast from fONOROLA-Ledcor Industries consortium for
Bell's national broadband company which will be launched in early 1999. The new company will now have direct facilities-based access in the following cities
outside of Quebec and Ontario: Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Chicago, New York City, Detroit, Albany and Buffalo.
Mr. MacDonald who will also be Chairman of the Board of the new company, announced the appointment of Terry Jarman as President and Chief Executive
Officer of the new organization. Mr. Jarman is Executive Vice-President of Corporate Development at Bell Canada, responsible for a broad range of activities
including domestic and international alliances. He has an extensive telecommunications background in Canada, the United Kingdom and internationally.
In completing his executive team, Mr. Jarman announced that Charles Childers has been appointed Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at the new
company. He is Group Vice-President, Corporate Markets and Sales at Bell Canada responsible for serving major corporate clients. He has also worked in
senior positions with Nortel and Pacific Bell.
Marc Bouchard has been appointed Senior Vice-President Business Development and Finance. Mr. Bouchard was previously Chief Operating Officer of
fONOROLA Inc. where he also served as Chief Financial Officer. He has extensive financial and management experience and has also worked for Shearson
Lehman Brothers Inc..
Tom Hope has been appointed Senior Vice-President of Operations and Technology encompassing the planning and implementation of the national network and
its advanced communications services. He was formerly President of Stentor Canadian Network Management. He has also held senior positions in SaskTel with
both domestic and international assignments.
''The challenges facing our new national broadband company demand exceptional depth at the executive level and; that combines entrepreneurial leadership with
keen industry insight,'' said Mr. Jarman. ''That is exactly what we have achieved through these appointments.''
Bell Canada, the largest Canadian telecommunications operating company, markets a full range of state-of-the-art products and services to more than seven
million business and residence customers in Ontario and Quebec. Bell Canada's Internet web site is located at: bell.ca. News releases, speeches and
background information are in the Newsroom under the About Bell main menu. Our e-mail address is forum@bell.ca.
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Cambrian and Newbridge are in the fiber optic business. |
