TELUS has already connected more than 1.9
million homes and businesses in B.C. with TELUS PureFibre,
including more than 280,000 in rural areas.
VANCOUVER, BC, May 13, 2024
/CNW/ - TELUS is investing $17
billion to significantly expand and improve its network
infrastructure and operations across British Columbia over the next five years,
supporting innovation, growth and strong, vibrant communities. This
investment is also part of a larger commitment to deploy
$73 billion across Canada by 2028 to develop infrastructure,
improve sustainability and advance its network technology. These
investments are critical to connecting British Columbians with the
people, resources and information that enrich their lives and
underscores TELUS' unwavering commitment to advancing technology
and connectivity nationwide. Since 2000, TELUS has invested more
than $63 billion in British Columbia to build and develop network
infrastructure, operations and spectrum, connecting families and
businesses to its world-leading 5G and TELUS PureFibre networks and
cementing TELUS' position as the province's best internet service
provider.*
"At TELUS, we know that a reliable and powerful network is
essential in keeping British Columbians connected to the people,
information and resources that matter most," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS.
"That is why we are investing more than $17
billion in network infrastructure, operations and spectrum
in British Columbia over the next
five years, bringing our total commitment to $73 billion across Canada by 2028. These investments will ensure
that our customers continue to benefit from the best network
experience in the world, which facilitates crucial, generational
changes in healthcare, education, teleworking, the environment and
our digital economy and societies. Perhaps most importantly, our
networks also bridge digital and socioeconomic divides, so every
member of our society has the opportunity to reach their full
potential."
TELUS is shaping the future by using its world-leading networks
to enhance productivity and foster positive innovations in health,
education, agriculture, climate change, energy, transportation and
social equity, helping to fuel economic growth across the province.
Driven by a deep sense of compassion and inspired by its dedicated
team, TELUS is committed to addressing the most pressing challenges
of today. The company is focused on delivering industry-best
technology solutions and programs that positively impact lives,
with ongoing plans through 2028 to make a meaningful difference in
British Columbia and across
Canada.
Now through 2028 in British
Columbia, TELUS is:
- Enhancing its world-leading networks to make them faster,
smarter and greener
- TELUS is enhancing its 5G network with ORAN technology across
B.C. and Canada, creating more
reliable, adaptable and faster connections. It's not just smarter,
it's also kinder to the planet by using resources more efficiently
and cutting down on energy use.
- TELUS is using AI and advanced analytics to plan new
infrastructure builds that will optimize coverage and network
performance. In 2024, TELUS plans to double the number of new cell
towers built across British
Columbia in 2023 – expanding coverage in areas including
Burnaby, Surrey, Kelowna and Vancouver, including a strategic partnership
with the CRTC to expand coverage to rural areas along Highway
20.
- Over the past decade, TELUS has connected more than 1.9 million
homes and businesses in B.C. with TELUS PureFibre, including more
than 280,000 in rural areas.
- Celebrating ten years and 215,000 people served by TELUS
Mobile Health Clinics
- TELUS Health for Good Mobile Clinics are providing healthcare
to the most marginalized among us while respecting their privacy
and dignity. With over $13 million
invested in cash, in-kind contributions, time and support
nationwide, the program is now celebrating 10 years of providing
care in 25 Canadian communities. In B.C. alone, TELUS Health for
Good has supported over 77,000 patient visits through its mobile
health clinics.
- With more than 2,500 clinicians using TELUS Electronic Medical
Records (EMRs) and more than 17,000 registered TELUS Virtual
Pharmacy users, TELUS is transforming access to healthcare for
people in British Columbia.
- TELUS Health and the Island Health Authority are collaborating
to provide people who are living with an eating disorder with free
access to counselling, dietetics, psychology and primary care
support. This provides patients with access to a province-wide pool
of experienced clinicians who they can access at their
fingertips.
- Cheering on the Whitecaps and inspiring youth through
sport
- In 2023, TELUS became the premier partner and jersey sponsor of
the Vancouver Whitecaps, taking significant steps to support local
youth and vulnerable communities. This initiative is part of TELUS'
broader effort to engage with more than 4,000 young individuals in
Vancouver each year through
various programs, including the Community Soccer Experience which
extends soccer opportunities to underserved areas across
British Columbia. Through the
partnership, TELUS has provided more than 100 scholarships to help
eliminate financial barriers for aspiring players.
- In June 2023, TELUS proudly
partnered with Canada Soccer, aligning with the excitement of the
FIFA Women's World Cup. Additionally, as the title partner of the
Canadian Championship – the exclusive pathway for Canadian clubs to
the CONCACAF Champions League – TELUS is not just sponsoring, it is
actively fostering the growth of soccer. The company's involvement
supports the sport's development locally and contributes to its
global reach, creating new opportunities for youth engagement and
stimulating economic benefits through increased sports
participation and event hosting.
- TELUS is also the title sponsor of the SheCan Coach program, a
national coach recruitment, development and training program with
the goal of ensuring more women and girls can enjoy the benefits of
soccer by addressing the current challenges they face relating to
participation.
- In April 2023, TELUS partnered
with the Canadian Premier League (CPL) and rallied Canadians to
support those in need by collecting gently-used equipment with all
8 CPL teams and redistributing the items collected to
underprivileged communities nationwide, helping to create
opportunities for soccer participation in Canada while inspiring youth to reach their
full potential through sport.
- Innovating for a more sustainable future
- TELUS' 2023 Sustainability and ESG Report highlights its
significant efforts and progress to meet the company's ambitious
goal to use 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025. Notably, TELUS
has issued six sustainability-linked bonds since 2021 totaling
CAD 3.7 billion and USD 900 million, tying the progress on reaching
its science-based operational decarbonization goals to its
financing needs. The company's dedication to environmental goals
has earned it a spot on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for the
23rd consecutive year.
- Notably, TELUS offers internet and mobile connectivity to allow
its customers to live, work, learn, shop and see a doctor -
virtually - from anywhere, thereby reducing unnecessary commuting
and helping its customers transition to a low-carbon,
nature-positive future.
- Continuing its emphasis on sustainability, TELUS has
successfully diverted over 15 million devices from landfills and
has up-cycled or recycled more than four million mobile devices
since 2005. To help bridge the digital divide, TELUS has donated
more than 32,000 devices to help keep those in need connected and
since 2001, has donated more than 38,000 computers to the
Government of Canada's Computers
for School program.
- With a commitment to use technology, ecological knowledge and
social engagement to protect and enhance ecosystems, Shakti by
TELUS aims to plant at least 5 million trees annually in
Western Canada, reinforcing TELUS'
significant strides toward a sustainable future.
- In 2023, TELUS and the Vancouver Whitecaps teamed up with Ocean
Wise to collect over 100 kilograms of waste from Spanish Banks
beach in Vancouver as part of the
18th annual TELUS Days of Giving. TELUS also sponsored
Ocean Wise's sea kelp nursery in West
Vancouver and provided funds for their underwater drone to
monitor and help restore kelp forests – with benefits extending far
beyond the region.
- Stepping up for British Columbians when they need us
most
- TELUS is dedicated to safeguarding Canadian communities against
wildfires through strategic investments via the TELUS Pollinator
Fund for Good in technologies like Dryad Networks' ultra-early
forest fire detection systems.
- In 2023, TELUS donated $5 million
in cash and in-kind support for wildfire relief efforts, including
crucial connectivity for first responders and affected individuals.
This contribution also supported a 24-hour crisis line, provided
comfort kits for those displaced, and donations to critical
organizations like the Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army, Skwlax
te Secwepemc, B.C. SPCA, Mamas for Mamas, B.C. Cattlemen's
Association and local food banks, demonstrating an unwavering
commitment to community support during crises.
- Advancing its commitment to reconciliation
- In July 2023, TELUS announced a
doubling of its commitment to the TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund
from $1 million to $2 million over the next five years. The fund
offers grants for Indigenous-led social, health and community
programs. Since its inception in November
2021, TELUS has distributed $575,000 in cash donations to 29 community
programs supporting food security, education, cultural and
linguistic revitalization, wildfire relief efforts, and the health,
mental-health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples across
Canada.
- TELUS has contributed more than $6.2
million to local content creators since 2018, funding over
550 Indigenous projects across B.C. and Alberta through TELUS STORYHIVE
and TELUS originals.
- TELUS rebranded several service vehicles in Prince George and surrounding areas with
meaningful artwork by local Indigenous artist, Johnny Kelto III of the Nadleh Whut'en
Yinka Dene people.
- TELUS is proud to be the first multi-year partner of the
Indigenous-led grassroots Moose Hide Campaign movement, whose
mission is to end gender-based violence. In 2023, TELUS corporate
stores distributed more than 8,300 Moose Hide pins to customers,
helping spark over 41,000 conversations about the issue of
gender-based violence. This partnership is one of the key actions
of TELUS' response to the 231 Calls for Justice, and helps ensure
TELUS is a safe and culturally responsive company for team members,
customers and partners.
- In 2023, TELUS contributed $50,000 toward the launch of B.C. Tech's
groundbreaking Indigenous-led Tech Company Accelerator program,
aimed at uplifting and supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs in the
technology industry. This program provides Indigenous-led tech
businesses with the opportunity to grow visibility and strengthen
their networks.
From 2000 through 2023, TELUS has invested $259 billion nationally in network
infrastructure, operations and spectrum, including more than
$63 billion in British Columbia. These investments are
consistent with TELUS' capital expenditure guidance for 2024 as
disclosed in the company's fourth quarter 2023 results and 2024
targets news release dated February 9,
2024.
TELUS also embraces tax morality as a means of further investing
in the communities it serves. Since 2000, TELUS has paid
approximately $57 billion in total
tax and spectrum remittances to 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, including more than $2.3 billion in taxes in 2023 alone. These funds
support public works projects, education, healthcare, cultural
pursuits, and other initiatives that improve the social and
economic well-being of the communities TELUS operates in.
Since 2000, TELUS, its team members and retirees have provided
over $350 million in cash, in-kind
contributions, time and programs and volunteered 8.4 million hours
to charities and community organizations located in British Columbia.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements about future events and
plans that are forward-looking, including statements relating to
TELUS' infrastructure, operations, services and spectrum investment
plans, anticipated connections to our PureFibre network footprint,
and our environmental targets. These forward-looking statements are
made based on a number of assumptions and readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on them as there is significant risk that
actual results may vary materially from these forward-looking
statements, including as a result of risks relating to regulatory
decisions and developments, the competitive environment in which we
operate, and our operating and financial results.
The forward-looking statements in this news release are subject
to the cautionary note and based on the assumptions, qualifications
and risks described in detail in TELUS' 2023 annual Management's
discussion and analysis (MD&A) and first quarter 2024 MD&A,
which are incorporated by reference herein, and in other TELUS
public disclosure documents and filings with securities commissions
in Canada (on SEDAR+ at
sedarplus.ca) 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. These
statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of
applicable securities laws in Canada and the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except as required by
law, TELUS disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise forward-looking statements.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading
communications technology company with more than $20 billion in annual revenue and over 19 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.
Operating in 32 countries around the world, 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 strategic industry verticals, including
tech and games, communications and media, eCommerce and fintech,
banking, financial services and insurance, healthcare, and
others.
TELUS Health is a global healthcare leader, which provides
employee and family primary and preventive healthcare and wellbeing
solutions. Our TELUS team, along with our 100,000 health
professionals, are leveraging the combination of TELUS' strong
digital and data analytics capabilities with our unsurpassed client
service to dramatically improve remedial, preventive and mental
health outcomes covering nearly 72 million lives, and growing,
around the world. As the largest provider of digital solutions and
digital insights of its kind, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer
Goods enables efficient and sustainable production from seed to
store, helping improve the safety and quality of food and other
goods in a way that is traceable to end consumers.
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 and our team to contribute
$1.7 billion, including 2.2 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 at @TELUSNews on X and @Darren_Entwistle on
Instagram.
For more information, please contact:
Athyu Eleti
TELUS Public Relations
athyu.eleti@telus.com
SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.