BELL EXTENDS MESSAGING SERVICE
By Adnews Staff
Bell Canada introduced a voice messaging service last week that allows Ontario and Quebec businesses to exchange voice mail messages with more business customers. Previously, users of Bell's messaging system could send messages only to other Bell voice message customers. Clients of the new service will be able to access any voice mail system in Canada and users of the OcteLink system in the U.S. The new system is called Advantage Universal Messaging service. Initially it will be available only to large businesses, but during the year it will be rolled out to small businesses and residential customers. Eventually, Bell hopes to make the service compatible with other voice message systems around the world. Other members of Stentor, an alliance of major Canadian telephone companies, are expected to offer the universal service later in the year. There is currently no advertising for the new service, but some ads may begin to appear once the service expands. Cossette Communication-Marketing's offices in Montreal and Toronto handle Bell's advertising.