In the late 1800s, Dr. Turner of Millbrook harnessed the telephone’s potential to stay connected with his patients. In 1898, he founded The Turner Telephone Company, the first to serve areas around Millbrook.
Throughout the 1920s and 30s, the company, renamed the Millbrook Rural Telephone Company, continued to expand. Ed Downs and lawyer Henry Coon later purchased it, forming Docon Telephones Ltd.
Upon their father’s death in 1978, John and Paul Downs, who had full-time careers, ensured the business retained its family-oriented approach. By 2016, after 75 years of family ownership, the brothers sought a new owner who shared their vision. They found Clayton Zekelman who shared their community-focused, ethical business practices.
With a commitment to facilities-based growth, Nexicom, under Zekelman’s leadership, aims to remain a leader in Canada’s telecommunications industry. Offering high-speed Internet, local and long-distance telephone service, and the latest digital TV and security technology, Nexicom serves homes and businesses in the Kawarthas, Peterborough and Northumberland County. Combining advanced technology with friendly service, Nexicom prioritizes connecting central Ontario to the world.
Today, they’re working to build the infrastructure needed to support high speed internet.
Nexicom’s Bill Sandiford tells us about their work locally.
According to Sandiford, one of the biggest challenges is the initial cost of investment to provide high speed access.
Sandiford says their current focus is on the western part of Northumberland.
Sandiford tells us that their current build down to Precious Corners is taking advantage of the CRTC’s universal broadband fund to help cover the cost of their infrastructure investment and he looks forward to delivering more high quality telecommunications services to the area in the future.
“This is only the beginning of our expansion into Northumberland County,” says Clayton Zekelman. “We currently provide services in Bewdley and parts of the Municipality of Port Hope, including Garden Hill and Elizabethville. As a local company employing residents from Peterborough and Northumberland County, we deeply understand the demand for superior broadband infrastructure and are committed to meeting it.”
To learn more about Nexicom, visit them on the web at Home | Nexicom – Connected. Naturally.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
