Investment to help build world-leading ORAN
network and support positive economic, health and social outcomes
for Albertans
VANCOUVER, BC, May 13, 2024
/CNW/ - TELUS is investing more than $16
billion to significantly expand and improve its network
infrastructure and operations across Alberta over the next five years, supporting
innovation, growth and strong, vibrant communities. It's 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 Albertans 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 $60
billion in Alberta to build
and develop network infrastructure, operations and spectrum,
connecting families and businesses to TELUS' 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 Albertans 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 $16
billion in network infrastructure, operations and spectrum
in Alberta 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
Alberta and across Canada.
Now through 2028 in Alberta,
TELUS is:
- Enhancing its world-leading networks to make them faster,
smarter and greener
- TELUS is enhancing its 5G network with ORAN
technology across Alberta 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 Alberta in
2023 – expanding coverage in areas including Calgary, Edmonton and Sherwood Park, including a strategic
partnership with Indigenous Services Canada to expand coverage to
rural areas like Eden Valley.
- Over the past decade, TELUS has connected more than one million
homes and businesses in Alberta
with TELUS PureFibre, including over 120,000 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 Calgary and Edmonton, TELUS Health for Good has supported
more than 17,000 patient visits through its mobile health
clinics.
- During the summer of 2023, TELUS played a crucial role in
supporting Northern Alberta
wildfire evacuees by deploying a fleet of Mobile Clinics. The team
actively participated in on-the-ground relief efforts, delivering
critical supplies like food and batteries to the Kanien'kehá:ka
(Mohawk) community and lending generators to the Gift Lake Métis
Nation during wildfire-induced outages.
- Supporting youth to reach their full potential
- The TELUS Edmonton & Northern
Alberta Community Board provided nearly $600,000 to local grassroots organizations in
2023 supporting youth health and education programs while the TELUS
Calgary & Southern Alberta
Community Board granted $625,000 to support 37 exceptional youth
supporting charities, 15 health programs and 22 education
programs.
- In 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
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 nearly 6 million trees planted in 2023 alone, TELUS is
intensifying its reforestation efforts in Alberta. The company's innovative
partnerships, like those with Flash Forest, utilize drones for
rapid reforestation, helping to restore vital ecosystems and
natural habitats.
- Partnering with veritree, TELUS has launched the Smart Forest
project in Cochrane, Alberta. This
cutting-edge reforestation site features over 41,000 trees and 45
sensors across 1,110 hectares, tracking tree growth, weather,
carbon sequestration and biodiversity. The Smart Forest project
stands as one of Canada's most
connected reforestation initiatives, showcasing the power of
digital technologies and connectivity in driving nature-based
solutions.
- 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 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.
- 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 three of its fleet vehicles in northern
Alberta with meaningful artwork by
Mi'kmaq artist Trevor Snook of the
Qalipu First Nation, which depicts the beauty of natural landscapes
and the importance of connections to the land and to each
other.
- Stepping up for Albertans during times of crisis
- 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 enhanced fundraising efforts
for key charities, showcasing TELUS' commitment to leveraging
technology for better disaster response and ongoing support for the
community.
From 2000 through 2023, TELUS has invested $259 billion nationally in network
infrastructure, operations and spectrum, including more than
$60 billion in Alberta. 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 $265 million in cash, in-kind
contributions, time and programs and volunteered 3.7 million hours
to charities and community organizations located in Alberta.
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.