TELUS announced today it is investing $11 billion in network
infrastructure, operations, and spectrum across Quebec over the
next four years and has committed to investing $70 billion overall
across Canada by 2026. The company also plans to complete its
government-funded high-speed Internet deployment by September 2022
and applauds the Quebec government's commitment to extend wireless
connectivity to remote communities.
“This generational $11 billion investment in Quebec is a true
demonstration of TELUS’ long-standing commitment to improving the
lives of Canadians by connecting communities from coast-to-coast
with our world-leading wireless 5G and PureFibre networks,” said
Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS. “Our broadband
technology is supporting critical, transformational change in
respect of enabling online healthcare, education and teleworking
flexibility, and accelerating Canada’s digital economy and society
for heightened productivity, competitiveness and human welfare
outcomes in the post-pandemic period. Importantly, through our
investment, we are supporting the social and economic vibrancy of
Quebec and ensuring that every member of our society has access to
the technology that yields the opportunity to realize their full
potential.”These significant investments include:
- Generating new jobs to support Quebec’s growing
economy Generating jobs for 7,000 Quebecers at TELUS and
through its vast partner ecosystem between now and 2026, with a
focus on construction, engineering, emerging technologies and other
supporting industries.
- Connecting 350,000 homes in Quebec TELUS will
connect thousands more homes and businesses to PureFibre and high
speed Internet in the regions of Chaudière-Appalaches, Estrie,
Lower St. Lawrence, Mauricie and North Shore. To date, 99 per cent
of businesses and families in the area TELUS serves have access to
the PureFibre network. TELUS is pursuing its joint investment with
the Government of Quebec and the Government of Canada with the goal
of connecting all premises to high speed Internet by September
2022. By the end of year, nearly 350,000 homes and businesses will
have access to the world’s fastest and most reliable Internet
technology with symmetrical upload and download Internet speeds,
and nearly infinite bandwidth, so everyone can work, stream, game,
or make video calls at the same time. The TELUS PureFibre network
also supports a vast selection of connected devices for healthcare
and homes as well as advanced security and entertainment
technologies.
- Delivering 5G and Wireless
Connectivity to Remote CommunitiesWith the rollout of the
3.5 GHz spectrum later this year, Quebecers will have access to
TELUS’ 5G network, delivering an ultrafast and reliable wireless
connection. TELUS will also continue to expand its wireless
coverage and build new wireless sites in rural communities
including Ekuanitshit, Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Port-Menier,
Saint-Adelphe, Saint-Damase and
Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier.
- TELUS applauds the Quebec government's commitment to allocate
$50 million of its most recent budget to wireless connectivity and
is looking forward to continuing its joint investment and
connecting Quebec’s remote areas through its 5G network.
- TELUS’ global-leading wireless network was rated the fastest
mobile network for the eighth consecutive time by UK-based
Opensignal, while also earning the title of North America’s Fastest
Mobile Network and Canada’s Fastest Mobile Network by Seattle-based
Ookla for the ninth consecutive time.
- 5G Core and Multi-Access Edge
ComputingTELUS will introduce its 5G standalone network
this year and bring multi-access edge computing (MEC) capabilities
to further advance IoT and industry solutions and enable important
innovations for businesses and sectors, including health,
agriculture, energy, transportation, and manufacturing.
- Our network and crucial investments will support the
digitization of the economy, and our transition to a sustainable
future, including through optimization of energy
consumption at home, reduction of food waste or intelligent
transport systems for fewer emissions.
- Creating a greener Quebec and
planet through virtualization
As a global leader in
sustainability, TELUS’ network infrastructure and investments are
helping us transition to a sustainable future through the
digitization of the economy, including optimizing energy
consumption at home and reducing food waste through its TELUS
Agriculture solutions.
- The 2021 Sustainability Report outlines TELUS’ environmental,
social, and governance strategy and priorities, which includes the
ambitious goal to use 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025.
Moreover, TELUS’ world-leading wireless and wireline networks
enable significant carbon avoidance by providing the networks
required for TELUS team members and millions of Quebecers to work
remotely and avoid commuting; access education, healthcare, and
social connections virtually; and enable other businesses to take
their workforce virtual leading to less energy consumption in
office buildings and fewer commuters on the road.
- To date, TELUS has planted more than 800,000 trees, and by the
time its millionth tree is planted later this year, it will have
planted the equivalent of 20,000 acres of forest, which is forty
times the size of Mont-Royal in Montreal.
From 2000 through 2021, TELUS invested $220 billion nationally
in network infrastructure, operations and spectrum, including more
than $31 billion in network infrastructure, operations and spectrum
in Quebec. The investments announced today are consistent with
TELUS’ capital expenditure guidance for 2022, released in the
fourth quarter of 2021 earnings release dated February 10,
2022.
These investments are critical to provide Canadians with access
to superior technology that connects us to the people, resources
and information that make our lives better. TELUS is steadfast in
its commitment to using technology, team member-led innovation, and
human compassion to address the most important societal challenges
of our generation and bringing real solutions to the residents of
Quebec.
TELUS also embraces tax morality as a means of further investing
in our communities. Since 2000, TELUS has paid approximately $51
billion in total tax to our federal, provincial and municipal
governments across Canada, consisting of corporate income taxes,
sales taxes, property taxes, employer portion of payroll taxes,
various regulatory fees and spectrum remittances. This includes
more than $2.2 billion in taxes in 2021 alone. These funds support
public works projects, education, healthcare, cultural pursuits and
other initiatives that improve the social and economic well-being
of our communities.
TELUS’ innovative approach to leveraging technology in
healthcare has supported more than 22 million people in Canada, who
are covered by our healthcare services and technology. As of April
2022, TELUS Health MyCare counseling service is now available to
Quebec residents, giving them the opportunity to conveniently see a
provincially licensed counselor on their smartphone, when and where
they need it most. TELUS is also providing peace of mind and
security to thousands of aging Quebecois residents and their loved
ones with LivingWell Companion, a 24/7 personal medical alert
service that provides access to emergency support through the push
of a button or an optional fall detection feature.
Since 2000, TELUS, our team members and retirees provided $85
million in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs and
volunteered 1.1 million hours to charities and community
organizations located in Quebec, including Opération Enfant Soleil,
La Fondation du Centre hospitalier régional de Rimouski, la
Fondation Tel-Jeunes, local food banks and key strategic
partnerships such as the MTELUS, Grand Théâtre de Québec, The
Montreal Alouettes and the Rouge et Or. TELUS also launched the
TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund, offering grants up to $50,000
for Indigenous-led social, health and community programs.
Quotes:
“This is excellent news for the province of Quebec. Ensuring
that all Canadians have access to reliable, high-speed Internet has
become increasingly important, and this investment from TELUS will
help create jobs, connect Quebecers, and contribute towards
building an environmentally sustainable Canada. Through initiatives
like the Universal Broadband Fund, the Government of Canada is
proud to partner with its provincial counterparts and Internet
Service Providers like TELUS to ensure that every Canadian from
coast to coast to coast can be connected to high speed
Internet.”
– The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic
Development
"Optic fibre came to our community very recently, and we're
already enjoying the positive impact of connectivity in our daily
lives. Ultra high speed is a powerful tool for sharing our
collective memory and millennial knowledge of Nitassinan. It
encourages the entrepreneurial spirit and promotes the development
of our local economy and tourism. It also gives access to better
virtual healthcare and adapted educational services, which allow
our youth to continue their learning while remaining anchored in
our innu community."
– Jean-Charles Piétacho, Innu Chief of the Ekuanitshit Innu
Council.Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements about future events and
plans that are forward-looking, including relating to TELUS’
infrastructure, operations and spectrum investment plans. By their
nature, forward-looking statements require TELUS to make
assumptions and predictions and are subject to inherent risks and
uncertainties. There is significant risk that the forward-looking
statements will not prove to be accurate. Readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a number
of factors (such as regulatory decisions and developments, the
competitive environment in which we operate, our operating and
financial results and our ability to carry out financing
activities) could cause actual capital and operating expenditures
to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking
statements.
Accordingly, this news release and the forward-looking
statements made in it are subject to the cautionary note and
qualified by the assumptions, qualifications and risk factors
referred to in TELUS’ 2021 and first quarter 2022 Management’s
discussion and analysis, which are incorporated by reference
herein, and in other TELUS public disclosure documents and filings
with securities commissions in Canada (on SEDAR at sedar.com) and
in the United States (on EDGAR at sec.gov). Forward-looking
statements describe TELUS’ expectations and are based on our
assumptions as at the date of this press release and are subject to
change. Except as required by law, TELUS disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.
About TELUSTELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a
dynamic, world-leading communications technology company with $17
billion in annual revenue and 17 million customer connections
spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment,
video, and security. Our social purpose is to leverage our
global-leading technology and compassion to drive social change and
enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to
putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business,
making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and
loyalty. The numerous, sustained accolades TELUS has earned over
the years from independent, industry-leading network insight firms
showcase the strength and speed of TELUS’ global-leading networks,
reinforcing our commitment to provide Canadians with access to
superior technology that connects us to the people, resources and
information that make our lives better.
TELUS Health is Canada’s leader in digital health technology,
improving access to health and wellness services and
revolutionizing the flow of health information across the continuum
of care. TELUS Agriculture provides innovative digital solutions
throughout the agriculture value chain, supporting better food
outcomes from improved agri-business data insights and processes.
TELUS International (TSX and NYSE: TIXT) is a leading digital
customer experience innovator that designs, builds, and delivers
next-generation solutions, including AI and content moderation, for
global and disruptive brands across high-growth industry verticals,
including tech and games, communications and media and ecommerce
and FinTech. TELUS and TELUS International operate in 28 countries
around the world.
Driven by our determination and vision to connect all citizens
for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give
where we live has inspired TELUS, our team members and retirees to
contribute more than $900 million and 1.8 million days of service
since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled
volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world.
Together, let’s make the future friendly.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow
us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jacinthe BeaulieuTELUS Public Relations
jacinthe.beaulieu@telus.com
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