TheCADVisionStory

A Retrospective Archive
Est. 1990 · Calgary, Alberta

CADVision Internet became one of Canada's most successful Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

Geoffrey Shmigelsky
Geoffrey Shmigelsky
Founder, former CEO
The retail front end, INTERNET pillar
The storefront — 300 5th Ave SW, Calgary

Founded in 1990 with university rent money, CADVision grew into Calgary's #1 ISP — 60,000 customers, 80 staff, one of the first private carriers in North America to launch low-cost ADSL — before its acquisition by PSINet in 2000.

Key Milestones & Developments
1990
CADVision founded — with University rent money.
1991
Specializes in networking and training.
1993
Co-locates with the Calgary UNIX Users Group and their academic Internet.
1994
Internet seminars launched — educating the public on the value of the Internet.
1995
First to launch flat-rate Internet usage — $89 / year. Enters the ISP market.
1996
First private ISP to launch low-cost ADSL broadband.
1997
FamilyNet — one of the first products to use content filters to protect customers.
1998
GetDomain and GetHosting launched.
1999
Teaches the Internet to nearly 20,000 people through seminars and open houses.
2000
Customer base surpasses 60,000. Acquired by PSINet Canada. Founder & company named Entrepreneur of the Year.
2001
PSINet Canada acquired by Telus.
60,000+
Customers
12,000
Businesses
10,000
Websites hosted
80
Staff
12
Network points
5,000
Phone lines