Start.ca attacks Bell, Rogers offering television service

The two Goliaths in the telecommunications sector now have a David made in London with whom they can fight.

After two years of planning and development, Start.ca has rolled out its television option, which means the local cable and fiber optic provider is tackling the big caliber Rogers and Bell in the home entertainment market. .

"It's huge for us. This raises our visibility. It really increases our portfolio, "said Peter Rocca, General Manager of Start.ca.

Start.ca launched this week a complete TV package to support the Internet service offered for several years.

"These are all channels you can search for, at a competitive price. We offer triple play: Internet, television and telephone, "said Rocca.

Start.ca offers its services across Ontario, but "London and Southwestern Ontario are in our hearts," and is considering aggressive marketing to increase visibility, he said.

It will offer, like the big operators, movies on demand and sports channels and a "high refresh rate", which means that projections are of superior quality.

"We wear all the chains," he said.

Best of all, in case of transfer from an existing provider, just a phone call and Start.ca costs from $ 20 to $ 30 a month cheaper than the competition, depending on the TV package, has -he declares.

Start.ca can not be expected to seriously challenge competition, but it can offer options, which is good for consumers, said Carmi Levy, London-based technology badyst.

"No one badumes that Start will face the giants of the industry on a transnational basis, but in the local and regional market, they offer an important alternative to major telecoms. It's a smart move on their part. "

It is possible that Start has access to a core of customers who are angry with their current provider and looking for a change, he said. There are also other small players, such as Execulink Telecom in Woodstock, who are looking to carve out a place for themselves.

"You can be more agile when you are smaller and you are not tied to decades of legacy. It would be great if a small regional player became a national player, "said Levy.

Start.ca continues to offer high-speed Internet and has established itself as a leading supplier of fiber optic cables for commercial, industrial and large residential projects, said Rocca.

"We use a lot of fiber, connect commercial buildings, residential buildings and even residential neighborhoods," said Rocca.

As if London's tech business was not busy enough, it is building a new $ 7-million, 7,400-square-meter head office at 675 York Street.

"We have a great team and they support a lot of things, but we are excited to be able to build great things," Rocca said.

This week, Start.ca also purchased naming rights for the performing arts space at Budweiser Gardens, formerly RBC Theater. It will now be called the Start.ca Performance Stage.