Once a little-known
company, Bruce Municipal Telephone Service (BMTS) is making big strides
into the world of global technology and communication as
Bruce Telecom.
President and CEO, Hans Nilsson acknowledges that the company is growing very quickly. "From a home-grown Bruce County entity, we are expanding throughout the region including Owen Sound. In 2008, people are going to see even more changes. Just as our mission statement says, 'our commitment is to provide innovative communication solutions with professional customer support and service'."
Everywhere in Southampton for example, Bruce Telecom has already begun its initial installation of an infrastructure that will eventually lead to fiber-optic connections for each home.
Marketing and Human Resources Manager, Diane Johnston explains that, "Fiber optics will enable high-speed Cheetah computer customers to access things like interactive television that is also linked to the telephone for call display. It will also mean 175 television channels without a satellite dish and we all know what that means ... no weather interruptions!
"The company has been here for 100 years," adds Nilsson, "and we take pride that we provide local service and support, where people can actually still walk into a facility and talk to a human representative. Each of the three store fronts in Port Elgin, Kincardine and Tiverton fact, services over 1100 people every month."
In 2006, the company received the Business of the Year award from the Owen Sound Chamber of Commerce and Sun Times readers voted it Favourite Internet Provider last year.
"One of the things we take a great deal of pride in," adds Nilsson, "is our community involvement. Bruce Telecom has become synonymous as a major sponsor for many events and we also offer scholarships to local high school and college students."
Fundraising is also a key component to community activity and, in the past four years, Bruce Telecom has raised $40,000 for the John Robards Research Institute in London and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto for diabetes research. In addition, since 2003, it has raised $74,000 of its $100,000 commitment for an MRI at Bruce Grey Regional Health Centre in Owen Sound.
When it comes to technological services, Nilsson points out that, "The company is able to provide everything our competitors do and usually at a lower cost.
Whether it's a simple phone service with 250 minutes of long distance per month for only $24.95, or a bundle including phone service, ten calling features, 1000 minutes of long distance per month and high speed internet Cheetah service for only $69.95, we are more than competitive. We also have the convenience of one bill and no change to a customer's existing phone number."
Bruce Telecom is also the area's authorized dealer for Roger's wireless phones, NEC Unified Solutions and Nortel Networks for integrated business communication systems covering everything from fax and voice mail to computers for every size organization or business.
As Nilsson points out, "The one that we offer that no other phone company in the entire region does is local service and that won't change!"
Bruce Telecom in the News
Hans Nilsson (L) Donates $25,000 to the Library Expansion in Port Elgin to fund raising chair Mark Kraemer
Hans Nilsson at the Rotary Home Show
