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Hummingbird Wireless buy back: Heritage Decks Ltd. 905-873-0368 Heritage Decks specializes in the design and construction of custom cedar decks and built-in spas. Every Heritage deck is meticulously constructed with top quality material and totally original design. Call for a free cheerful estimate. Ask about our lifetime warranty! 'Shop Local' EST. 1984 See customer testimonials and pictures at www.heritagedecks.com 3 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, April 15, 2010 Town wants to fulfil grant commitment Continued from pg. 1 Food and Rural Affairs funding provid ed to the Town of Halton Hills under the Rural Connections Broadband Program. The grant was for $397,000, and the HHCEC had already made around $250,000 worth of improvements to be reimbursed by the grant money. Perlin said Atria determined it needed to use almost all of the money from OMAFRA to upgrade the wireless service, but HHCEC had a different opinion. Skidmore said Atria believed they would have to provide customers with a totally different frequency to cut down on interference they are experiencing. "We think there are some other options in that 900 MHz frequency," "They don't need said Skidmore. "We can im- to be expending all prove it to meet that money. If we the OMAFRA have the opportucommitment for around nity to get it back $100,000." So rather it would be better than handing for the Town." the grant money over to Atria, HHCEC decided to repurchase it and make the necessary improvements at a much lower cost. "They don't need to be expending all that money. If we have the opportunity to get it back it would be better for the Town," said Perlin. "We made a commitment to the Province. From a Town perspective it was important that commitment be met." Funding from OMAFRA was to help meet the primary goal of providing rural residents with high-speed internet access, and also to improve public access to e-government services and information, and support businesses and citizens in utilizing high speed internet broadband access for economic and social development. Perlin said Atria had lost about 30 customers from the 300 that were signed on at the time of the sale since they took it over. "They really didn't advance in wireless the way they thought they were going to," said Perlin. John Percey, CEO of Atria Networks, said they acquired Hummingbird as part of "a much larger transaction." He said Atria's customers are typically businesses and government and after taking over Hummingbird, "we quickly learned we weren't a good company for residential services. It was not a good fit for us." "We probably should have done more due diligence," said Percey. He said selling the company back to HHCEC is "good for the customers of Halton Hills Hydro. I think it's a good deal." While Hummingbird hasn't made money in the past Perlin said "it will be susDENNIS taining itself." PERLIN "The reacquisition of Hummingbird Wireless will ensure enhanced wireless services for our rural community, and will have no impact on the Town's hydro rates and property taxes," said Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette. "We felt an obligation to the customers that went with the sale, " said Bonnette. The company's name will change but Hummingbird customers' email addresses will continue to be @hbwi. ca. Skidmore said they hope to enhance the 1.5 MB per second service currently offered by Hummingbird. "Maybe we can get into higher speeds," said Skidmore, adding they may be able to offer some choice in speeds for customer. Deck of the Week YES! We do SAFETY INSPECTIONS SPRING SPECIALS Bring in this coupon and we will perform a diagnostic scan of all fuel related sensors, check vehicle spark plugs and all tune up related parts. YOU ALSO RECEIVE: · Up to 5 litres of oil · New oil filter · Check and top up all fluids including brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid. · Visual inspection of belts, hoses, cooling system and electrical systems PLUS RECEIVE· FREE INSTALL of Summer tires, (if on rims) tire balance & rotation, front end suspension check & brake inspection as well as... · Trailer Safety Checks · Annual Safety Checks · Gas & Diesel Emissions Tests · Service & Maintenance for all Cars & Trucks · We are HYBRID CERTIFIED FOR ONLY Limited Time Of fer $ 49 + 99 TAX for most vehicles ALL SUMMER TIRES & RIMS 905-877-8731 ON SALE NOW Any Make - Any Size FREE INSTALL with oil change special when on rims 20 Armstrong Ave., Georgetown (near Mountainview Rd. N) email: tservice@on.aibn.com e-mail: hassellsauto@bellnet.ca www.hassellautomotive.com SPRING IS HERE! To put everyone in a great mood we're going to: Change Your Snow Tires on Rims FREE! 1 Jug of Windshield Washer Fluid FREE! 1 Georgetown South Petro Canada Car Wash FREE! Check All Your Brakes and Steering FREE! PLUS! Change Your Oil & Filter & Check All Levels $ A TICKET TO WIN A FOSSIL WATCH SET DRAW TAKES PLACE FRIDAY APRIL 16TH (Approx. value $300) 34.95 + tax CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT!