Videotron puts its weight behind the startup ecosystem
The word “startup” is everywhere these days. You hear it being used by young entrepreneurs with world-changing ideas. You also hear it from large corporations that feel to winds of disruptive change blowing across the business landscape. The word has a romantic ring. It conjures up images of open workspaces filled with earnest, unconventional, visionary, creative young men and women who think outside the box and care more about turning their ideas into reality than anything else. But no matter how attractive and promising their ideas may be, they rarely come to fruition without some backing from the big guys. Players with deeper pockets have a vital role in the process. Where established businesses fit in So, in practical terms, how can large organizations help startups? That was the question of the day at the Startup Fest in Montréal on Wednesday, July 12, when three in-the-know corporate executives took the stage: Henri Dolino, Senior Director, Innovation & Digital Strategy, Desjardins; Francis Baillet, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Ubisoft; and Serge Legris, Vice President and Chief Technology Planning Officer, Videotron. The discussion was moderated by Géraldine Martin, Director of Entrepreneurship with the City of Montréal. Videotron and the Open-Air Smart Living Lab Videotron has been quick to grasp the importance of helping startups. It is a leading partner in the Parcours Innovation PME Montréal program, Salon 1861, the OSEntreprendre Challenge and Notman House. And, in September 2016, it launched Canada’s first Open-Air Smart Living Laboratory, together with Ericsson, the Quartier de l’innovation and the École de technologie supérieure. As Serge Legris recounted at the Startup Fest, the idea behind the lab was to create an environment where startups can test their ideas. It lets them use state-of-the-art technology to which they wouldn’t otherwise have access. Inventive apps, wearables, connected street furniture, devices to regulate air quality or to control traffic can all be tested in a real-world environment. For startups, it’s a boon. “It’s like a playground,” says Serge Legris. It’s also a parallel universe, and it has to be: “With its millions of customers, Videotron can’t really allow a startup to begin testing a new technology on its system. With the lab, we have a parallel mini-network that is cordoned off from our clientsenvironment. It’s a sandbox where people can play, explore, try things out and work them out by trial and error.” The startup philosophy Startups hew to a lean-and-mean developmental model. In practical terms, that means progressing one step at a time by piling on enhancement layers: instead of waiting for a product to be totally ready for prime time before releasing it, they put out a barebones version with core features, get users’ comments, and then improve it by fixing bugs and enriching the experience. And then they do the same thing over again. “We want to give startups a chance to gather valuable user data,” says Serge Legris. “Information on satisfaction, usage, behaviours, preferences. When you’re developing a product, that kind of feedback is vital. The smart living lab makes it available.” Mentoring In addition to opening up technological possibilities, providing an incubator environment and of course extending financing, large companies can also help by mentoring. The experience of men and women who “have been there,” their networks of contacts, their advice and encouragement can make the difference between an idea that stays on the drawing board and one that turns into a business. “Videotron is a Québec leader and leaders help others move forward,” Serge Legris said at the Startup Fest. “At the end of the day, everyone benefits.” How to submit a project to the smart living lab A portal will go live in fall 2017 and will be the main gateway for startups that want to be part of the smart living lab. In the meantime, startups can submit a project through the Quartier de l’innovation website (http://quartierinnovationmontreal.com/fr/nos-projets/appel-de-projets-du-qi). Startups are transforming industries and changing our lives. Videotron is on board with the trend.New Videotron Customers – Get started in 5 easy steps!
Sign up to My Account or the Customer Centre If you’re subscribed to the Helix services, sign up for My Account. If you’re subscribed to Mobility, illico TV, Internet, or Home Phone services, sign up for the Customer Centre. Why is it useful? Because in My Account and the Customer Centre, you can manage your account securely and without waiting. Want to check your balance or track your mobile data usage? Check your services and equipment? Change your plan or TV channels? It’s all done online, in just a few clicks! Familiarize yourself with your invoice EThere’s a lot of information on your first invoice, so it’s not always easy to understand it at first glance. In order to be well informed and reassured,here is some valuable information that will enlighten you, depending on the services you subscribe to: First invoice for Helix services First invoice for Mobility, illico TV, Internet, or Home Phone services For a better understanding of your invoice, the article SOS: I received my first invoice also offersa helpful explanation. Install yourself or prepare for the technician’s visit Helix self-installation If you have chosen to self-install your Helix equipment, you will receive your equipment by mail and can install it at your own pace using our online detailed instructions and video tutorials. In case a pre-installation connection appointment is required,see how to prepare for it. Installation by a technician If the installation of your services is done by a Videotron technician, make sure that you are present at your home on the given date and see how you can prepare for this appointment: For Helix services For other Videotron services Manage your Wi-Fi like a pro Because we like to have control at our fingertips, Videotron’s mobile applications simplify the management of your Wi-Fi network. Helix Internet Service: The Helix Fi app allows you to manage all aspects of your network, users, and connected devices and objects from your mobile device, wherever you may be. Residential Internet service: The Videotron WiFi app lets you configure and customize your network, check its quality, and set up user access schedules from your mobile device. Explore your TV entertainment Are you a Helix TV subscriber? Take the time to familiarize yourself with your new feature: voice command. Get started by discovering some examples of commands that will make your TV respond instantly. Also explore the intuitive interface that brings together your live channels, OnDemand content, and a host of your favourite apps. Whether you’re a Helix or illico TV subscriber, discover all the useful information you need to make the most of your entertainment. And remember that you can access your TV content on your mobile, tablet, or computer, wherever you are, thanks to the Helix TV app. We hope these tips get you off to a good start with Videotron! We aim to offer excellent service to all our customers, and we’re always willing to go the extra mile for you. Enjoy!Videotron’s generous All-Inclusive plans
Choose an All-Inclusive plan and relax. We’ll take care of everything! In today’s telecommunications market, trying to find what’s right for you can get confusing as you browse through an endless variety of plans designed to meet the ever-increasing demand for mobile data. You’ll often find unlimited plans featuring an initial data allowance that slows to s nail’s pace when you’ve used it up. You were just sharing the funniest video of all time on your social networks? Watching the latest episode of your favourite series? On a super important video call? You immediately purchase more data, because you need that high-speed connection to share and consume content normally. There are also compelling deals that offer a new device for free, but suddenly don’t look so good when you realize you’d have to pay an additional monthly fee on top of your package. Dreaming of abundance and simplicity? That’s what Videotron has in store for you with its generous mobile plans. Forget about losing speed because you’ve exceeded your data allowance! Say goodbye to lacklustre plans that force you to buy additional data every month! No more surprises due to a hefty bill with unexpected device fees! Say hello to All-Inclusive plans that let you enjoy yourself. These extremely generous plans include an additional 100 GB of data per year, non-stop high-speed connection, a cutting-edge mobile device and even a Club illico mobile subscription. With an All-Inclusive plan, no need to worry even when your monthly data allowance has run out. You can tap into your 100 GB bank for up to 20 GB per month whenever you want to keep doing your thing with a connection speed that never slows down, no matter how much data you use. All that with a new, cutting-edge device that doesn’t add any extra fees to your monthly bill. And that’s on top of the Club illico mobile subscription included in your plan, which gives you access to a wide range of exclusive series and movies whenever you want, anywhere in Canada. We designed our All-Inclusive plans for you, so you can finally enjoy your fast-paced, connected life to its fullest. Take advantage of it today!
