5년전 밴쿠버 다운타운에 거주할 때 광역 밴쿠버에 Novus라는 회사를 알게 되어 인터넷을 사용하던 중 코퀴틀람 센터로 이사하면서 2년 넘게 다시 이용하게 되었다. 이사 후 노버스의 인터넷, TV를 구독하던 중 지난 1월 재계약을 하면서 James라는 한국인 직원과 반갑게 통화 중 업그레이드 된 서비스도 알게 되었고, 노버스라는 회사를 좀 더 알고 싶어 중앙일보 독자위원 기자로 e-mail 인터뷰를 하게 되었다. 

When I lived in downtown Vancouver 5 years ago and found out the company Novus and have been using Novus service for 2 years in Coquitlam. In January 2022, I spoke to James, one of Korean representatives and found out that Novus is offering even better service and promotion currently. I wanted know better about the company and I decided to for an e-mail interview.

Q: 2년만에 통화하게 되어 반갑습니다. COVID-19 상황이지만 건강하게 지내는지요? 

It has been about 2 years since I talked to you prior to the last call in January. How have you been during pandemic?

J: 반갑습니다. 운이 좋게도 펜데믹 시작부터 집에서 일할수 있게되어서 잘 지내고있습니다. 인터넷이 누구에게든 꼭 필요한 서비스이기때문에 집에서 스트리밍 서비스를 쓰시거나 일을 하시거나 모든 고객님들에게 문제가 없도록 항상 관리하고 있습니다. 최근 저희 서비스를 찾아 주시는 분들이 부쩍 늘었는데요, 서비스 관리를 그만큼 열심히 하고 있기 때문에 다행히 서비스에 문제는 전혀없습니다. 

Personally, I’ve been doing well. Like a lot of people these days, I’ve been lucky enough to work from home during the pandemic. For Novus, we are considered an essential service so we made sure that our network was in good working order so that those who were working from home could do so smoothly and efficiently. We saw an increase in bandwidth use but luckily our network is robust enough to handle this.

Q: 사실 노버스라는 회사는 잘 모릅니다. 저는 5년전 밴쿠버 다운타운에 살게 되면서 거주하는 콘도 게시판을 보고 알게 되었습니다. 회사에 대하여 설명을 부탁 드립니다.  

Honestly, I do not know very well about Novus. I found out about the company through the bulletin board in the apartment that I lived in downtown 5 years ago. Could you please tell me more about your company?

J: 물론이죠. 저희 회사는 1996년부터 메트로 벤쿠버 고층 빌딩에 서비스를 시작하였습니다. 예일타운에 있는 한 빌딩을 시작으로 지금은 벤쿠버, 코퀴틀람, 리치몬드, 버나비, 뉴웨스트민스터, 써리, 노스벤쿠버까지 많은 지역으로 저희 서비스를 확장했습니다. 이 지역들에 fiber optic 네트워크가 설치되어있기때문에 보다 쾌적한 서비스를 경험하실수있습니다. 빠른 인터넷뿐만 아니라 저희는 친절한 고객 서비스팀원으로도 잘 알려져 있습니다.  저희 직원들 모두 메트로 벤쿠버에서 일을 하고, 언제든지 연락 주시면 친절하게 도와드리고 있습니다.  저희를 통해 인터넷 서비스 말고도, TV와 집 전화 서비스도 사용 가능합니다.

 Yes, for sure. Novus has been servicing exclusive high-rise buildings in Metro Vancouver since 1996. We serviced our first building in Yaletown in downtown Vancouver but have since built and expanded our all fibre optic network to other areas in Vancouver, Coquitlam, Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, and North Vancouver and continue to grow every day. We’re known for our super-fast, Internet speeds but also our super-friendly & local customer service. All of our agents live right here in Metro Vancouver and we’re happy to pick up the phone to assist you. We also offer state-of-the-art TV service and phone (landline) service.

Q: 노버스 인터넷이 타 회사와 비교해도 빠르고 안정적이라는 생각이 드는데요. 타 회사들과 다른 점이 있다면 무엇이 있을까요?

 Novus Internet is really fast and stable. What sets your Internet service apart from your competitors? 

J: 저희는 리셀러(reseller)가 아닙니다. 저희 fiber optic 네트워크를 설치해서 사용하고있습니다. 또한, 저희가 직접 서비스 관리와 업그레이드 할 수 있기 때문에 잘 운영되고 있다고 생각합니다. 캐나다 서부지역에서 아주 가성비 좋은 빠른 인터넷 서비스를 제공하고있습니다. 인터넷 속도는 100Mbps 부터 최고 2.5Gbps까지 다른 속도 선택이 가능하십니다. 업로드와 다운로드 스피드 둘다 동일하고 무제한 데이터를 제공합니다. 이 부분이 특히 재택 근무하시는 분들에게 좋고 부담 없이 쓰실 수 있습니다. 영상통화에 문제가 없을것이고 파일들 업로드하는 시간이 정말 짧으니까요. 

We are not a reseller. We have built and own our very own fiber optic network. This is important because it means we can improve and maintain the performance of our network whenever we choose. We do not rent or ride on anyone else’s network.

Plus we provide some of the fastest speeds in Western Canada at the best prices. Our speed ranges from 100Mbps all the way up to 2.5Gbps in select buildings. All of our Internet tiers include Unlimited Data and Symmetrical Speeds. This is especially important for those who are working from home. This means that they will be able have smoother video calls and upload files more quickly.

Q: Novus 회사에서 제공하는 인터넷과 TV 기본 채널을 잘 이용 중이며, 다시 계약을 연장하려고 합니다. 물론 지난 주에 회사에서 보내준 재계약 e-mail 도 받았습니다. 

I had great internet and TV service offered by Novus so far. I’d like to renew my contract. Plus I get e-mail from Novus for renewal. Is there a new promotion that I can take? 

J: 저희는 항상 좋은 프로모션을 손님들에게 제공하고있습니다. 지금 신청가능한 프로모션은 특히나 더 좋은데요, 지금 3년 무약정, 가장 저렴한 프로모션은 한달에 $45 달러 프로모션을 제공해드리고 있습니다. 조금 믿기 힘드실 수 있을 수도 있을 텐데 저희는 항상 손님들이 손쉽게 저희 서비스를 접해주셨으면해서 이런 프로모션을 제공하고있답니다.

 We have great promotions going on all the time, we invite you to call us at your convenience to find out what is available in your building. All of our Internet tiers include No Contract and $45 a month for a 3 Year Price Guarantee. There are also no installation fees. I know that this sounds too good to be true but we just like to make it easy for our customers.

Q: 그럼, 1년 재계약이 아니고, Month to Month 개념으로 생각하면 되나요? 

Does that mean there is no contract but it is month to month promotion?

J: 그렇습니다. 무약정 서비스이기때문에 고객님들께서 3년 이내로 서비스를 취소하셔도 위약금이 없습니다. 하지만 정말 좋은 서비스를 제공하고있기때문에 한번 써보시면 고객님들께서 저희와 함께 하실 것으로 생각합니다.  지금 제공하고있는 프로모션은 3년동안 같은 가격이 유지때기 때문에 3년동안 가격인상 걱정없이 사용가능하십니다.

 Yes, there are no contracts so you can cancel your service at any time with no cancellation fees. We’re so confident that you’ll love our service that you are going to want to stay with us. Our 3 Year Price Guarantee means that the price you pay for your Internet when you sign up, you will pay the same price for the next 3 years. No price increases on your Internet.

Q: 소비자 입장에서는 최소 1년 단위의 계약기간 부담이 없어져 좋긴 합니다만, 회사 입장에서는 불편함도 있겠습니다. 

It must be convenient for customers as there is no contract. However, doesn’t this cause any problem (inconvenience) for the company?

J: 아뇨 그렇지 않습니다.  타 회사들과 다르게 저희가 추구하는 서비스는 고객님들의 필요에 따라 쉽게 접할 수 있는 서비스를 제공하는 것이기 때문입니다. 

Not at all. Unlike our bigger competitors, we pride ourselves on being easy and flexible when it comes to our customer’s needs.

Q: 광역 밴쿠버에 거주하는 한인들에게 홍보나 권하고 싶은 내용과 가입을 원하는 한인들이 있다면 어떻게 연락을 하면 되는지도 설명 부탁 드립니다.  

Is there anything you want to inform to Koreans in Vancouver? Also, how can they contact to sign up for the service?

J: 한번 저희 서비스사용 해보셨으면 좋겠어요. 스트리밍 서비스, 영상통화, 재택근무, 어떤 일을 하시던 저희 서비스를 정말 좋아하실거랍니다. 저희 회사 웹싸이트: Novusnow.ca 가시면 더 많은 정보가 있으니 한번 가보시는 것을 추천 드립니다. 시간내주셔서 정말 감사합니다. 

Make the switch to Novus. You won’t be disappointed. Whether you are streaming movies or doing video calls back home, you’ll love our Internet. Please go to novusnow.ca for more information. Thanks so much for talking to me today!

e-mail 인터뷰에 대하여 감사하며, 앞으로 Novus 가 더욱 발전하여 BC주 한인들에게도 더 나은 서비스를 기대하겠습니다. 다시 한번  감사합니다.  

Thank you for your time for the interview and I hope the best for the company. Also, I hope for the best service for Korean customers in BC. Thank you again. 

e-mail 인터뷰 Eddie Park / 중앙일보 독자위원 기자 (카톡 id: edwardkorea)