Our Customer
We are committed to providing our customers with the communication services and expertise for a fair price. We believe in Win/Win. We are sensitive to our customers' needs and are aware that before we can provide our services, we are responsible for translating complicated "techno speak" into every day English. We are honest, courteous and professional

Our People
We are committed to the hiring and development of talented individuals who have the initiative and willingness to play key roles in the success of the WKPowerLink Team. We provide many opportunities for industry and personal development. We recognize the importance of each individual and his or her active role in the success of the entire team. We recognize that a healthy, happy individual is a productive team member. We expect WKPowerLink team members to be known for their commitment, competence and dedication.

Our Families and Friends
We are committed to living a lifestyle that balances our hard work and effort with strong family values. We are aware that to be a successful WKPowerLink Team Member, the individual must also have time for family and friends. We discourage overwork and strive to schedule work around the individual's healthy lifestyle.

Our Industry
We are committed to being a leader in the communication technology industry through customer satisfaction, innovation and financial strength. We respect the support we receive from financial institutions, communication vendors and local, provincial and federal governments who contribute greatly to our success.

Our Communities
We are committed to the enhancement of our communities by providing opportunity and economic vitality on a grand scale. From our local company, we will grow into global companies providing our communities with a clear path to participate in the global economy. We give our young and talented community members a reason to stay or return to the communities that raised them and participate in its exciting future.

In 1993, with the development of CIAO and access to the Freenet, the Greater Trail Area was a leader in on-line information access and communication. By 1995, major changes to the Internet and the requirement for Graphical Browsers began to limit the capabilities of CIAO. In addition the only Commercial Internet Service, Pacific Onramp in Nelson, had just gone out of business.

As a community service, WKPowerLink was started by West Kootenay Power to provide affordable, reliable Internet access. West Kootenay Power teamed up with JENS Computer Services Ltd. to provide "front end" sales and marketing for WKPowerLink. In May 1997, WKPowerLink was sold to JENS with West Kootenay Power remaining a strategic partner.

In December 1997 JENS acquired most of Hookup Communications in BC, making WKPowerLink one of the largest Internet service provider in the Interior. Today it has 15 dial-in points of presence that reach the West Kootenays, Okanagan, Kamloops, and Lower Mainland areas. It has three offices, which include the main office in Trail and sales offices in Kelowna and Kamloops. It also supports 12 separate Internet Service Providers located in remote parts of BC.

PowerLink is a premium Internet service provider and is supported by a state of the art, meshed E10 (10 mb/second transfer rate) Fiber Optic Network that is fully managed by BC Tel Advanced Communications. Internet feed, News Feed, Email and other services are run through its Network Operation Centre in New Westminster. This network, the equipment, and the people who operate it make PowerLink one of the fastest, most reliable Internet services in the province.

PowerLink's success as an Internet provider comes from being a community-oriented company. It provides free Internet access, email and Web space for qualifying non-profit organizations. It actively searches for ways to subsidize the cost of Internet feed to those groups who need but cannot afford access to the Internet.

PowerLink currently employs 22 people, a 200% increase since 1997, employing people in Network Support, Web Page Design, Connection Support, Priority Support, Billing, Marketing, and Sales. Whenever possible, it employs people in the communities it serves.

With the loss of traditional BC employment in the resource sector, PowerLink is a bright start that offers the hope of many high paying, technology jobs. Through its high-speed network, it has the potential of positioning the Interior of BC as Silicon Valley North. Information Technology companies can now locate in the Interior and have Internet feed that rivals the best in the work. It is important that our communities take advantage of this opportunity.