When I want to find a tradesman or business, I hit Google. So do most people on the planet now. That's why many telephone companies around the world have sold their yellow pages listings (and most of them a couple of years back before the online search alternative had became so obvious).

The Yellow Pages website is a headache to navigate. I do use the White Pages site quite a bit, though increasingly I hit Google for basic contact details instead, especially as it's more likely to yield a cellphone number or email address.

Don't ask me about the hard copy editions of the White or Yellow pages. I haven't looked at them in years, and if there was a way to stop getting them, I would. The 2007 copies arrived today like a brick of useless doorstops. Enjoy, sucker Canadians.

But I shouldn't be so snide, since it looks like we're all going to wind up suckers in the deal.
It was really disappointing to hear Telecom chief financial officer Marko Bogoevski (a possible successor to Theresa) dampening speculation that the company would use a significant chunk of the proceeds to upgrade its broadband network. Instead, a share buy back or special dividend to shareholders are the most discussed ways to dispose of the loot.

Pity. Any long term view of the situation would have to see shareholders benefit alongside customers from more broadband investment.