TELUS invests $10 million to roll out its PureFibre network in Chaudière-Appalaches
June 02 2022 - 8:00AM
Today, TELUS announces a $10 million private investment for its
network infrastructure in the Chaudière-Appalaches region this
year, rolling out its PureFibre network to 10 communities in
Beauce-Sartigan, Bellechasse, Lotbinière, Montmagny and
Nouvelle-Beauce RCMs (Regional County Municipality). The investment
is paired with more than $13 million from the Canadian and Quebec
governments in 2021 and 2022 as part of the Operation High-Speed
program (Éclair I component). It will bridge the digital divide by
fostering digital innovation in local businesses, promoting the
tourism industry, attracting young workers and families, and
accelerating the development of virtual services in health and
education.
"Our 350 team members and ecosystem of partners in
the Chaudière-Appalaches region are using technology to create a
better future for citizens by bridging the digital divide with our
world-class networks," says Nathalie Dionne, TELUS' Interim
Vice-President, Home Solutions and Customer Excellence in
Quebec. "Ninety-nine per cent of families and businesses
in our Quebec territory are connected to our PureFibre network, and
we continue to invest with the objective of connecting all
households to high speed internet by September 2022. We also
applaud the Quebec government's commitment to improving wireless
coverage in our regions, with a $50 million investment in their
most recent budget. Today, broadband connectivity is more than a
commodity: it is necessary for our work, entertainment, education
and access to improved healthcare. Most importantly, it empowers
our regions to grow, fast-track their environmental transition and
dynamically promote their attractions."
TELUS' investment along with the committed
government support will help to initiate and advance the following
projects:
- Deployment of the PureFibre network to 4,500 families
and businesses in the communities of Berthier-sur-Mer,
Leclercville, Saint-Côme-Linière, Saint-Isidore,
Saint-Joseph-des-Érables, Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon,
Saint-Léon-de-Standon, Sainte-Marie-de-Beauce,
Saint-Pierre-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud and Vallée-Jonction. These
households will have home access to fibre optic internet, the
world's fastest and most reliable internet technology. PureFibre
offers ultra-fast symmetrical speeds along with nearly infinite
bandwidth so everyone can work, stream, game or make video calls at
the same time. It also supports the entire TELUS family of superior
home products and services, which include a wide selection of
connected healthcare services and advanced security, home
automation and entertainment solutions.
- Ongoing support for local organizations and vulnerable
families in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. Since 2000,
TELUS and its active and retired team members have provided more
than 75,000 volunteer hours and more than $950,000 in cash
contributions to support local organizations, including Moisson
Beauce, Maison de la Famille Nouvelle-Beauce, Parrainage Jeunesse
and Fondation Richelieu Montmagny. TELUS Mobility for Good and
TELUS Internet for Good programs also provide low-cost services to
vulnerable youth, seniors, families and people with
disabilities.
Quotes:
- “I was delighted
to learn that TELUS would be delivering 5G to five of our Beauce
municipalities," said Richard Lehoux, Member of Parliament
for Beauce. People living in rural areas shouldn't be left
in the dark, when it comes to internet and cellular coverage. We
need to make sure that children and small businesses have internet
access and the opportunities that come with it. It's also a
question of equity and public safety. That is why I wish to thank
TELUS for this important step and I eagerly look forward to working
with them on delivering full coverage to our entire
territory."
- “High speed internet is vital to our businesses’
competitiveness and our residents’ quality of life,” says
Dominique Vien, MP for Bellechasse—Les
Etchemins—Lévis. “I am thrilled for the municipality of
Saint-Léon-de-Standon having access to this cutting-edge
technology. It will ensure a promising future.”
- “I am very happy for the residents and families of Leclercville
and Saint-Lambert-de-Lauzon,” says Jacques Gourde, MP for
Lévis-Lotbinière. “They will be able to experience 5G and
PureFibre thanks to TELUS investments for better
connectivity.”
- “I am happy to learn that TELUS is investing to build and
develop 5G and PureFibre networks in our area,” says
Bernard Généreux, MP for
Montmagny—L’Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup. “Improving
communication speed is not only important, but vital for the
families and the businesses in this district. I look forward to
everyone having access to this technology as soon as possible, and
it will play an important role as it rolls out.”
- “With the advent of remote work, and to ensure the social and
economic development of Quebec’s different regions, access to a
high speed internet connection is essential. Nowadays, our work,
classes, social contacts and even medical consultations all happen
online, so all Quebec residents need access to the technologies
that will allow them to take advantage of those opportunities,”
says Gilles Bélanger, parliamentary assistant to the
Premier of Quebec for high speed internet issues. “We want
a Quebec that is modern, prosperous and future-oriented, and
achieving those goals would be inconceivable without quality high
speed internet service. Over the past few months, thanks to our
collaboration with various partners, including TELUS, we have been
able to overcome a number of different challenges we’ve encountered
and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made.”
- “In the Bellechasse riding, Saint-Léon-de-Standon was one of
the few municipalities that wasn’t connected to TELUS fibre optic
technology,” says Stéphanie Lachance, MNA for
Bellechasse. “The arrival of high speed Internet through
the TELUS PureFibre network will give everyone access to the
world’s fastest technology. With this deployment, our government is
achieving its goal of connecting all families in Quebec and
providing them with faster upload and download speeds, even at peak
hours. This service is a necessity for all Quebec residents. This
digital transition will enable all of the communities affected by
this change to be competitive and attractive not only in economic
terms, but also in terms of their quality of life.”
- “Access to high speed Internet is essential to promoting
development in Quebec’s different regions, stimulating local
economies and ensuring their ongoing vitality,” says
Isabelle Lecours, MNA for Lotbinière-Frontenac and
parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Public Safety.
“The government of Quebec is fulfilling its commitment to connect
all households to high-speed Internet by September 2022. This is
great news for the municipality of Leclercville, which will soon be
able to rely on fast, reliable connectivity.”
- “Today’s announcement is very important for Beauce residents’
quality of life,” says Luc Provençal, MNA for
Beauce-Nord. “Access to high speed Internet helps to
increase the competitiveness and vitality of Beauce businesses.
We’ve counted on TELUS as a corporate and charitable partner for
many years in our region. With these investments, we’re fulfilling
our commitment.”
- "Fibre optic has enormous potential," says Gaétan
Vachon, Prefect of the Nouvelle-Beauce RCM. "High-speed
connectivity will further advance our development as an
economically appealing destination for everyone in our community.
Our businesses and residents will have the best internet technology
available for their work and entertainment needs. The communities
in our RCM will be able to accelerate their digital transition and
become smarter, friendlier and greener."
Ongoing investments for a better
future
TELUS plans to invest $70 billion in Canada by 2026
for its network infrastructure, operations and spectrum, including
$11 billion in the Quebec economy, which will improve the coverage,
speed and reliability of its world-class networks. As part of the
Operation High Speed program (Éclair I component), the Federal and
Provincial governments have allocated $26 million to TELUS for
broadband internet deployment to nearly 5,000 homes. TELUS'
additional funding will connect an additional 25,000 families and
businesses to the PureFibre network by September 2022 in the
Eastern Quebec, Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches, Mauricie
and Estrie regions.
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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements about future
events and plans that are forward-looking, 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 TELUS
TELUS (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.
Consistent with our community philosophy of "We
give where we live" and our commitment to connecting all citizens
to make the world a better place, TELUS team members, current and
retired, have donated more than $900 million and 1.8 million
volunteer days to the community since 2000. Their unprecedented
generosity and outstanding contributions have made TELUS the
world's largest corporate donor. Together, we're making the future
friendly.
For more information about TELUS, visit telus.com
and follow us on Twitter (@TELUSnews) and Instagram
(@Darren_Entwistle).
For more information, please contact:
Jacinthe BeaulieuTELUS Media
Relationsjacinthe.beaulieu@telus.com
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