Télébec announces investments of $6,000,000 and the opening of a customer service centre in Îles-de-la-Madeleine

September 3, 2004 - In the presence of Québec Prime Minister Jean Charest, Canada Transport Minister Jean Lapierre, Minister for Regional Development Nathalie Normandeau, and Mayor of Îles-de-la-Madeleine and President of Réseau intégré des communications électroniques des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (RICEIM) Claude Vigneau, the President and CEO of Télébec and Bell Nordiq Group, Roch Dubé, announced that he was pleased that the fibre optic cable between the Îles-de-la-Madeleine and the Gaspé Peninsula will now officially proceed. He also took the opportunity of announcing investments of $6,000,000 as well as the opening of a customer service centre.

"Thanks to the participation of both levels of government, we can proceed with the project and contribute actively to the economic development of the Islands." While expressing his pleasure at being able to implement methods of telecommunications that will improve the lives of the Islanders, Roch Dubé emphasized that they will all, regardless of age, now benefit from the same opportunities that are available elsewhere in the world. "We, at Télébec, believe that this is a fundamental aspect of our commitment to the areas in which we operate," added Mr. Dubé.

The marine optic fibre cable project will open the door to a variety of telecommunication services for the people of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and it will become a reality thanks to the cooperation of private enterprise, governments, and members of the community – a partnership that the President of Télébec praised during his speech at the press conference which included business people, elected officials, and opinion leaders of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

Referring to a type of partnership favoured by the current Québec Government, Roch Dubé continued by saying that he was very pleased with this public-private partnership and that he hoped that this project was only the beginning. "We have other similar projects on the drawing board — projects that, we are convinced, will contribute to the greater development of regions in Quebec and Ontario," added Mr. Dubé.

Fulfilling its role as an operating partner in the project, Télébec has committed itself to a minimum of 20 years.

Consolidating its Presence in the Islands

Taking advantage of his trip to the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Mr. Dubé also announced that Télébec will provide, in 2005, customized customer services to its clients in the Islands from its current offices in Cap-aux-Meules.

"As part of the partnership made official today and with RICEIM’s support, we have decided to offer customer services right from the Islands. This is a major project for Télébec that reaffirms our commitment to the Island population," continued Mr. Dubé.

Consistent Support, Critical Partnership

The President of Télébec concluded by underlining the consistent support of the two government levels and the critical nature of the private-public partnership for this type of high-benefit, structuring project. He also mentioned the determination of the Quebec Minister of Regional Development, Nathalie Normandeau, of the Mayor of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Claude Vigneau, and of the entire RICEIM team to see it succeed.

Information:
Daniel C. Hansen
Executive Managing Director – Communications, Public and Governmental Affairs
1-888-737-6673, ext. 5503 or (514) 707-5503