More computer and internet-based technology services are now available for Virden and the surrounding communities. Bell MTS through dealer IDC Communications has opened a Virden store in partnership with Virden’s new 3CTech business.
The business, along with the community celebrated the grand opening, Friday, Dec. 1.
Chief Operating Officer for 3CTech Michael Bugg said, “It’s a really great partnership. We couldn’t have come up with anything better.”
Now, 3CTech store provides sales and support for business and home communications with television, computers, devices, and security cameras.
Bell MTS claims a strong customer base in and around Virden; the store will offer customers the full range of Bell MTS wireless, Internet and home phone services – a one-stop shop for communications and entertainment needs.
Bell MTS wireless network in Virden has now been upgraded to LTE-Advanced capability. LTE-A speeds mean peak theoretical data download speeds of between 300 and 600 Mbps – more than twice as fast as was formerly available in Manitoba.
Springing up from the technology needs of TSL Industries Ltd. a family-run oilfield service at Kola, 3CTech became the foundation for this multi-faceted business located at 346 King Street in the mini mall.
Starting up originally on Seventh Ave. nearly two years ago, with Matt Beatty as the TSL IT shop, they soon added repair technician Jeff Schultz. It was busy with strong demand in Virden and area for computer and IT servicing.
Michael Bugg joined the business. He explained, “We realized that we needed to establish a location with a good showroom and then obviously carry a much larger inventory.”
They rebranded as 3CTech, with Bugg as Chief Operating Officer.
Bell MTS is now front and centre in the Virden store at its new location on King St. E.
Partnerships
John McLise with Bell MTS said, “We wanted to come back to Virden.”
He explained why the MTS outlet closed in Virden following the recent sale of the company to Bell.
“We had to give up 15 locations to Telus... as a result of some of the terms of the sale of MTS to Bell. One of those was here in Virden.”
Jarrett Bishop, for IDC Communications, spoke to those gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“We’re very excited to be partnering locally with 3CTech... in the 15th Bell MTS store that we have now in this province.”
He said the Virden store was a project that came together very quickly. “It would not have happened if it wasn’t for the local support of our partners, here, with 3CTech.”
In the store
Michael Bugg for 3CTech said, “One of our primary businesses is mobile device repair. Having a device repair centre in a store that sells cell phones, it really just makes sense.”
He said it’s a sound business model. “Our business drives traffic for the Bell MTS side, which in turn drives traffic for the 3CTech side of the business.”
The business employs seven people with three outbound IT technicians, one in store repair tech, two people that work on the floor and Bugg as manager.
Bugg attributes the rapid development of the business to good service.
“Matt Beatty has always done that. He’s been an IT guy for a very long time and so the number of people in the community that always looked to him for help grew to such an extent that we needed him to focus directly on that, from a TSL standpoint.”
