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Mike Andrews, CEO & President of Bruce Telecom Mike Andrews
knows what it's like to work your way up through the ranks.
For over 30 years, he has been involved in small independent
telecommunication companies. He began as a linesman in the field at
AMtelecom. Like Bruce Telecom, Amtelecom originated in a small Ontario
town, Aylmer in 1902. Today, however, it is the third largest
independent telephone company and is a progressive, full service
telecommunications provider of local and long distance telephone, cable
television, highspeed and dial-up Internet and business data services to
over 40,000 customers in southwestern and central Ontario.
It was here that Andrews eventually worked his way up through the
various positions to become head of the company as President in 1999,
where he remained until it was sold in June, 1007 and then struck out on
his own as a communications consultant. (next column)
13/01/2009 04:24 PM |
(continued)
As a private consultant, he was involved in a wide range
of telecommunication aspects but, when Bruce Telecom began looking for a
new CEO/President, he felt that he had to apply. "I was very familiar
with Bruce Telecom and the area and wanted to be involved with one
independent company again."
There are officially 34 small independent telephone companies in Ontario
and Quebec and one in British Columbia. According to Andrews, "Most
subscribers to a small independent company prefer the personalized
service and the fact that they can deal with service personnel face to
face." Andrews explains that there is a wide network of cooperation
between the small independent communication/phone companies. "We
interact both in the technical field and regulatory aspects with each
other."
Over the past year, Bruce Telecom has also expanded into the world of
fiberoptics. "Television signals and high bandwidths for computer usage
absolutely require fiberoptics today," says Andrews. "The capacity is
unlimited and as technology keeps improving, there is literally no limit
to be able to deliver services to the customer. This past summer, we
expanded into Southampton with fiberoptics and we are looking at
expanding even further."
"On a personal note, my wife and I are very much looking forward to
living in this area and are currently looking at properties."
 
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