BELL SET TO HOP ON INTERNET
By Adnews Staff
Bell Canada is ready to unveil its new Internet service. It has called a media conference to announce the launch of Bell Sygma/Worldlinx, calling it "the Internet service Canadians have been waiting for...designed with families and small businesses in mind." Howver, even before the service goes into operation it starts off with a public relations problem. Smaller companies which provide Internet services had to hire lawyers to derail an attempt by Bell this month to hike charges 300% immediately for lines it leases to them, despite the fact they had signed contracts for the rates they are now paying. Bell said it was because they were using the lines much more heavily than had been expected - nothing to do with the fact the utility was about to launch its own service.