Recent Major Events:

1974 Connected Winisk (Peawanuck) to the public telephone network, using the ANIK satellite and thus launching a new communications era in Northern Ontario.

1978 Built a microwave system along the James Bay coast to connect Attawapiskat, Fort Albany and Kashechewan to the telecommunication network.

1988 Completed the first fibre optic ring on Ontario Northland Railway right-of-way.

1990 Formed a business partnership with IBM that continues today.

1993 Telecommunications services provided by O.N.Telcom become regulated by the CRTC.

1994 Launched Internet Services through ONLink.

1999 Consortia awarded Community Based Network Contracts in the Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury regions.

2000

• CRTC proceedings are launched to implement long distance competition in Northern Ontario.
• O.N.Tel became O.N.Telcom.
• Issued the first O.N.Telcom bill to customers in Northern Ontario.

2001 Upgrade backbone Fibre Optic Network between North Bay and Timmins.

2002

• Long Distance Competition introduced in O.N.Telcom’s traditional territory.
• Completed a Fibre Optic link between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury.

2004

• O.N.Telcom changes its name to Ontera, reflecting the rebirth of a Northern Ontario company, which is more than a telecom company and committed to “Connecting the North”.