To mark its 85th anniversary in Quebec, TELUS is expanding 4G LTE in Montreal, the most advanced and fastest wireless technology available in the world
MONTREAL, June 4, 2012 /CNW/ - TELUS will invest $440 million in the Metropolitan area of Montreal and $840 million in Quebec over the next three years. The investment in the region will support the deployment of TELUS' 4G LTE (long-term evolution) wireless network. This major announcement coincides with TELUS' 85th anniversary in Quebec and brings the company's investment in the province to $12.3 billion since 2000.
"TELUS is an employer of choice and leader in the telecommunications sector in Québec. We are committed to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of the province and all its regions as we believe leading edge technologies and robust infrastructure can be the foundation of a stronger economy. That's why we will continue to invest in cutting-edge technology and infrastructure for consumer, business and healthcare markets," said François Côté, President of TELUS Québec and TELUS Health Solutions. "Our customer loyalty is the highest in the industry, thus our significant growth in Quebec is due to the highest levels of trust and satisfaction our customers have in TELUS. We are also very grateful for the work of our 3,300 employees in the metropolitan area for their support and dedication to our customers."
The $440 million investment will support the following initiatives:
- Expansion of TELUS' new 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless network in the Greater Montreal region as well as other communities across the province, to provide technology to more Quebecers by the end of 2012. The network's coverage into rural areas is dependent on the success and timing of TELUS acquiring wireless spectrum through Industry Canada's upcoming spectrum auction. 4G LTE is the most advanced, fastest wireless technology available in the world today.
- Enhancement of TELUS' wireless and wireline networks for Quebec's business market. TELUS' ever-increasing presence in the public, parapublic, private and healthcare markets confirms the company's leadership position in the province's competitive landscape. TELUS is also building a new Internet Data Centre in Rimouski that will rank among the most environmentally-friendly in North America. It will provide local and international businesses with the highest levels of IT management reliability, security and scalability. The Centre is scheduled to open in 2012 with initial investments of $65 million.
- Improvement of healthcare IT delivery through the deployment and integration of TELUS heathcare technology across Quebec. TELUS is a Canadian leader in telehealth, electronic health records, remote patient monitoring, mobile home and community care, consumer health, benefits management and pharmacy management. In addition to offering solutions that support healthcare efficiency in Quebec, TELUS is committed to investing in the future and evolution of the province's healthcare network.
- TELUS' annual commitment to develop unique fundraising projects to benefit charities such as Opération Enfant Soleil. TELUS donated more than $500,000 to this charity to support the development of quality paediatric care and social intervention projects for children across Quebec.
"Our community involvement is just as important and close to our hearts as our infrastructure investments. At TELUS, we adhere to a rather simple philosophy that goes a long way - we give where we live," said Mr. Côté. "Since 2005, TELUS, our team members and our three TELUS Community Investment Boards in this province have donated close to $30 million to support local Quebec organizations, Le Phare Enfants et Familles, the Dr. Julien Foundation and L'Itinéraire. Last year, our 5,500 team members in Quebec volunteered a total of 57,000 hours. In 2012, TELUS is committed to donate an additional $5 million, namely to support innovative community projects that help our youth."
The capital investment disclosed in this release is consistent with TELUS' overall capital expenditure guidance for 2012.
About TELUS in Quebec
A vibrant corporate presence in Quebec for nearly 85 years, TELUS currently employs over 5,500 team members in the province. Since 2000, the company has invested nearly $12.3 billion in Quebec's economy and infrastructure development. A Canadian industry leader, TELUS offers Quebec communities access to state-of-the-art global communication technologies, at home and in the workplace. Faithful to the motto "we give where we live," TELUS has donated close to $30 million in Quebec since 2005 to support local organizations. Registered charities wishing to submit project funding requests to a TELUS Community Board are invited to apply at any time via the website telus.com/communautaire.
About TELUS
TELUS (TSX: T, T.A; NYSE: TU) is a leading national telecommunications company in Canada, with $10.5 billion of annual revenue and 12.7 million customer connections including 7.4 million wireless subscribers, 3.5 million wireline network access lines and 1.3 million Internet subscribers and more than 550,000 TELUS TV customers. Led since 2000 by President and CEO Darren Entwistle, TELUS provides a wide range of mobile and wireline communication services, including data, voice, IP, video and entertainment.
In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $260 million to numerous charitable and not-for-profit organizations, and volunteered 4.2 million hours of service to local communities since 2000. Eleven TELUS Community Boards across Canada lead TELUS' local philanthropic initiatives. TELUS was honoured to be named the most outstanding philanthropic corporation globally for 2010 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, becoming the first Canadian company to receive this prestigious international recognition.
For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding further LTE coverage expansion, LTE device availability and content library growth. By their nature, forward-looking statements require the Company 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, TELUS disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements.
Amélie Cliche
TELUS Media Relations
514-242-8870
[email protected]
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