DERYtelecom

In 1954, in Saguenay, Quebec, Gilles Déry founded a telecommunications company, initially known as Vidéo Déry. The company focused on providing cable television, internet, and phone services, primarily targeting smaller municipalities in Quebec with 600 or fewer residents. This strategy allowed DERYtelecom to establish a strong presence in underserved regional markets across the province. By building its network and through a series of its own acquisitions, DERYtelecom grew to become the third-largest cable provider in Quebec. By 2020, the company was serving approximately 100,000 customers in over 200 municipalities. The company’s journey took a significant turn in late 2020. On October 21, Cogeco Communications announced it had reached an agreement to acquire DERYtelecom for $405 million. The acquisition was a strategic fit for Cogeco, allowing it to expand its footprint in its home province of Quebec. The deal was finalized on December 14, 2020, marking the end of DERYtelecom's run as an independent operator and its integration into one of North America's larger cable companies.