EastLink

As the first cable company in North America to offer competitive local telephone service, and a company that continues to invest and innovate in the rapidly evolving telecommunications industry, this Nova Scotia company has earned the honour of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for the past five years.

From humble beginnings 40 years ago as a cable television company with a handful of TV channels, EastLink has evolved into an industry leading video, high-speed Internet and competitive telephone service provider offering hundreds of Digital TV channels, many in High Definition and OnDemand.

Privately owned and operated, the Nova Scotia owned and operated company has emerged as a worthy competitor in a world once dominated by telephone monopolies. With its head office in Halifax, and offices across the Canada and into Bermuda, the company now employs more than 1500 people.

A number of impressive firsts for EastLink include the first cable company in Canada to launch local telephone service, the first to partner with a wireless provider, the first company in Canada to launch 100 Megabit High Speed Internet and among the first in North America to offer Multi Room DVR. A point of pride, and business innovation, EastLink is the first company in North America to have launched a combined communications and entertainment bundle including Internet, video and high-speed on one bill, for one price.

Since then, EastLink has made significant investment in upgrading its world class fibre network here and in markets across Canada offering among the best telecommunications services that rival any company anywhere in North America to residential, business and public sector customers.

By way of example, universities have chosen EastLink to provide complete telephone and data services on the company's state-of-the-art network. In partnership with Dalhousie University, EastLink connected Prince Edward Island researchers to the world's first national optical Internet allowing universities and research centres to transfer data faster and efficiently.

EastLink’s community channel, EastLink TV, is a vital part of the company’s investment in the communities it serves. Popular programming like EastLink Magazine, Fuelin’ Around and Au Natural connect viewers to their community and fellow Maritimers.

As the Maritimes #1 Sports Channel, EastLink TV is available On Demand enabling viewers to tune into local programming, including local sports, at their own convenience.

Director of EastLink TV, Michael Smith, says research shows by a wide margin that local sports coverage is in demand. Whether it is hockey games for the Halifax Mooseheads or the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, both breeding grounds for future NHL stars, or a game at a local soccer field, EastLink TV provides the opportunity for local athletes to be recognized locally.

He also points to EastLink's Podium TV as a signature program, which offers televised lectures from visiting dignitaries or local professors.

But it is EastLink’s employees that underpin the company’s success. Lee Bragg, CEO, says the company works diligently to recruit the best talent. "We also spend the extra time to make sure the people fit with the culture of the company,'' he says.
Obviously, the combination of innovation and talent seems to be working for this nationally heralded, Nova Scotian company.