Distributel

Distributel is a Canadian telecommunications company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, founded in 1988 as an independent service provider offering Canadians Long Distance phone service. Distributel now offers a wide range of high speed Internet plans in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta as well as VoIP Digital Home Phone service across Canada. Distributel also provides IPTV (Internet Protocol television) in all major markets in Ontario and Quebec.

Distributel
TypePrivate
IndustryTelecommunications
Founded1988
FounderMel Cohen
Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
,
Canada
Number of locations
4 (2016)
Area served
Canada
Key people
Matt Stein (CEO)
Number of employees
300 (2020)
SubsidiariesZazeen, Acanac, Thinktel, Yak
Websitedistributel.ca

ThinkTel, the Business Services Division of Distributel, is a provider of SIP-based telecommunications and advanced voice and data services for the SMB and Enterprise markets throughout Canada.

History

Founded in 1988 by Mel Cohen, Distributel successfully fought telecommunications giant Bell Canada for the right to offer long distance services through its network. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) ultimately ruled in favour of Distributel, setting an important precedent for the competitive telecommunications market in Canada.[1]

With over 200,000 subscribers across Canada,[2] Distributel has continued to evolve and expand its business through several key acquisitions and partnerships:

  • In 2011, Distributel acquired Acanac Inc., a provider of high-speed Internet and digital home phone (VoIP) services throughout Ontario and Quebec.
  • On 31 March 2014, Matt Stein joined Distributel as CEO, while Mel Cohen maintained his role as chairman.[3]
  • In September 2016, Distributel acquires Yak Communications from Globalive.[4]
  • In January 2017, Distributel announces a partnership with jBilling aimed at providing more flexibility to its business systems.[5]
  • In October 2017, Distributel announced the acquisition of selected assets of Teliphone Navigata-Westel Communications (TNW).[6]
  • In November 2017, Distributel announced that it had acquired 100% of Zazeen Inc.[7]
  • In January 2018, Distributel announced a partnership with Eeyou Communications Network (ECN) [8] to deliver high-speed Internet, home phone and television services to eight communities [9] in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region in northern Quebec, using a new ECN fibre to the home network.[10]

Services

Distributel offers residential telecommunication services: High-speed Internet, digital home Phone, TV and long distance calling.

Cable Internet

Distributel provides capped and unlimited cable Internet access via network suppliers Rogers, Videotron, Cogeco and Shaw.

Depending on geographical service area, customers have access to download/upload speeds of:

Geographical service area Range of speeds - Download/Upload Mbps
Rogers territory in OntarioFrom 5/1 Mbit/s up to 250/20 Mbit/s
Cogeco territory in OntarioFrom 15/2 Mbit/s up to 250/20 Mbit/s
Videotron territory in QuebecFrom 5/1 Mbit/s up to 200/30 Mbit/s
Cogeco territory in QuebecFrom 15/2 Mbit/s up to 120/10 Mbit/s
Shaw territory in British Columbia and AlbertaFrom 5/0.5 Mbit/s up to 60/6 Mbit/s

Digital subscriber line (DSL)

Distributel provides capped and unlimited digital subscriber line (DSL) and Fibre to the Node (FTTN) high-speed Internet options using Bell lines in Ontario and Quebec while also providing the service via Telus in Alberta and British Columbia.

Depending on the underlying network supplier in their geographical service area, customers have access to download/upload speeds of:

Geographical service area Range of speeds - Download/Upload Mpbs
Ontario and Quebec (Bell territory)From 6/1 Mbit/s up to 50/10 Mbit/s
British Columbia and Alberta (Telus territory)From 6/1 Mbit/s up to 50/10 Mbit/s

Television

In 2015, Distributel became the first major Canadian independent Internet service provider (ISP) to offer Internet Protocol television (IPTV) in partnership with Zazeen Inc.[7]

To improve its ability to make long-term strategic decisions, continue developing the service and accelerate the introduction of new features and consumer benefits, Distributel acquired 100% of Zazeen Inc. in November 2017. Zazeen channel packages, which must be paired with Distributel unlimited high-speed Internet plans, range from "Starter" to "Ultimate" and are available in most English and French markets in Ontario and Quebec.

Telephone and long distance

In September 2016, Distributel acquired Yak Communications and proceeded to rebrand its Home Phone product as Yak Digital Home Phone, and retained many service advantages developed by Yak in its integrated offering.

Yak Digital Home Phone is a VoIP service that transfers digital signals via an Internet connection, rather than through a traditional landline. All available packages include unlimited local calling and 12 calling features. Various plans offered include long distance minutes.

CNOC membership

Distributel is a member of the Canadian Network Operators Consortium (CNOC) and CEO Matt Stein is the vice-chair and spokesperson for CNOC.[11]

Open Media

Distributel is a Platinum sponsor of Open Media.[12]

References
  1. "Distributel a franchi une nouvelle étape". Le Devoir. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  2. Desjardins, François. "Ça joue dur, dit Distributel". Le Devoir. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  3. "Stein named CEO of Distributel". Cartt.ca. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  4. "Globalive to expand VC investing with sales of Yak, OneConnect". PE Hub. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  5. "Distributel Selects jBilling to Transform Billing Infrastructure". www.Newswire.ca. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  6. "Distributel Expansion Continues with Acquisition in Western Canada". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  7. "Distributel Purchases Strategic IPTV Service Provider". www.Newswire.ca. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  8. "Telecom Breakthrough: Ultra High Speed Internet Launches in Northern Quebec". www.Newswire.ca. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  9. "Several Cree communities in Quebec slated to get high speed internet by March". CBC.ca. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  10. "Distributel to launch 1Gbps internet service in Eeyou Istchee and James Bay communities of northern Quebec". MobileSyrup.com. January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  11. "Board of Directors - www.cnoc.ca". www.CNOC.ca. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  12. "Our Diverse Network of Supporters - OpenMedia". OpenMedia.org. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
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