TBayTel.net
Title
TBayTel
Description
100 YEARS OF THUNDER BAY TELEPHONE
Throughout the past century, the telephone has brought loved ones closer together, facilitated commerce and helped link Port Arthur and Fort William long before official amalgamation in 1970. Telephone service was considered so important by residents of the Lakehead, both municipalities created independent companies in 1902 to ensure quality service and technology was maintained. These companies, two of the first municipally owned telephone systems in North America, merged and evolved to become Thunder Bay Telephone, Canada’s largest independent telephone company. For that reason, and for so many others, we are proud to celebrate our 100
What could be deemed Thunder Bay Telephone’s first official telephone call took place on October 18, 1902. Fort William Mayor Joshua Dyke telephoned Port Arthur Mayor I.L. Matthews and said, "I wish success as mayor of this town to the telephone system of the united towns of Fort William and Port Arthur." He also declared that, "…we hope to give this telephone service…at the lowest possible cost with the utmost…efficiency." This declaration has been the cornerstone of TBayTel ever since.
Telephone rates in 1902 were $1.00 per month for residential rentals and $2.00 for businesses. Despite the competitor’s attempts to attract customers away by lowering rates and offering free phones, loyalty to the municipal telephone company grew. The competitor sold its remaining exchanges – which had dwindled to less than 150 in both cities – to the municipal telephone companies.
Languages
English
Contact
Administrative:
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- Thunder Bay ON
- CA P7E 1J2
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Registrant:
- The City of Thunder Bay
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- Thunder Bay Ontario
- CA P7B 6G3
Additional Information
Related Domains
External Links
- Alexa: Tbaytel.net
