TBayTel expands

The City of Dryden has approved in principle the sale of Dryden Mobility customer assets to TBayTel.

Dryden city council received an offer from TBayTel at a special closed council meeting on Sept. 19. Council also agreed in principle to a separate offer from Bell Alliant for DMTS's landline and Internet assets for $4.5 million.

Since the deal isn’t finalized yet, TBayTel president and CEO Don Campbell wouldn’t disclose any details of the agreement.
The move west to Dryden made sense for the company, he said.

“We have cellular service across Northern Ontario from Manitoba all the way to Sault Ste. Marie, so this is not a new, unique, momentous move for us into this area,” Campbell said.

“We’re already there and providing a full suite of services, mobility services particularly, into that region.”

Campbell said they’d be bringing Dryden customers the best coverage across Northern Ontario as well as international roaming and access to features like handsets and price plans they don’t have access to now.

The advantages for TBayTel include access to least one tower, if not more, in Dryden, which will improve its service in the area.

“We’re looking forward to inviting and having these customers of Dryden’s enter our fold, so to speak, and be a part of the offerings we do provide,” said Campbell.

“This is just another example of our investment in our neighbourhood,” he added.

Dryden mayor Craig Nuttall stated in a press release issued Thursday morning that it made good business sense to consider TBayTel’s offer and its potential benefits to the City of Dryden.

“Dryden Mobility has been a great asset to the City of Dryden but now is the time to consider what is best for its future in light of increased competition and technological changes in the telecommunications sector.”

Bell Alliant president and CEO Karen Sheriff said the potential acquisition of DMTS’s landline and Internet assets makes competitive and financial sense to them.

“We serve all of the communities surrounding Dryden, so this is a natural fit. We look forward to bringing our experience in providing modern, reliable and affordable telecom services to the residents of Dryden,” she said in a press release.

Dryden city council has scheduled a public meeting for Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Dryden Regional Training and Cultural Centre. More details will be provided during the meeting on both the TBayTel and Bell Alliant offers.

The sales will be up for final approval at a special open council meeting yet to be scheduled.