Challenge is on as 2 new cell service providers show up

New cellular service providers have arrived in Thunder Bay.
On Wednesday, Bell Mobility and Virgin Mobile began challenging Tbaytel’s dominance of cellular service in the city, launching local wireless broadband services, including 4G LTE.
“We’re already seeing a lot of interest and expect to attract many new customers thanks to our world-leading network, services, products and special Thunder Bay rate plans,” Bell media relations spokesman Jason Laszlo said.
Laszlo said Bell offers customers access to Canada’s largest 4G LTE network, covering more than half the Canadian population, and leading mobile services such as Bell Mobile TV.
To support its launch in Thunder Bay, Bell opened a new store in Intercity Shopping Centre and hired local staff.
“We also recruited a lot of local talent for our network build,” Laszlo said.
Bell and Virgin Mobile say their retail stores plan to hire between 15 and 20 people for sales and management.
In addition to the Intercity mall store, Bell Mobility’s wireless solutions, products and services are available at The Source locations and other retail partners, as well as online at www.Bell.ca/Thunderbay, or by phone at 1-888-4Mobile.
Tbaytel spokesman Barry Streib said he would not comment on their business strategy, or their marketing and sales strategy.
“Our commitment is to ensure our customers have the best products and services,” Streib, Tbaytel’s Director of Corporate Relations, said Wednesday.
He wouldn’t say what Tbaytel might have in mind to compete with the new companies in town.
Tbaytel has spent several million dollars to upgrade its 4G wireless network across the Northwest.