TELUS investing $840 million in Quebec over the next three years

TELUS expanding wireless and wireline networks, connecting rural communities and building its advanced Internet Data Centre in Rimouski

MONTREAL, June 4, 2012 /CNW/ - TELUS will invest $840 million in Quebec over the next three years to expand and enhance its wireless and wireline networks. This major announcement coincides with TELUS' 85th anniversary in Quebec and brings the company's investments 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. "This year, TELUS will further extend our 4G LTE - the fastest wireless technology in the world - to the Montreal Metropolitan region and the Quebec City area, while bringing new wireless and broadband services to even more rural communities. Our significant growth in Quebec has been made possible because of our customers' trust and loyalty in TELUS and our products and services."

TELUS' $840 million investment will support the:

• Expansion of TELUS' new 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless network in Montreal Metropolitan and Quebec City regions 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.
  
  
• Extension of TELUS' wireless and wireline networks in Quebec's remote communities and the installation of nearly 75 new wireless sites across the province to increase TELUS' wireless network capacity and reach. The company offers high speed Internet access to more than 97 per cent of the province's population and the extensive coverage it offers to residents of rural areas in Québec sets TELUS apart.
  
  
• Expansion of Optik TV and Internet services to more clients in the Greater Quebec City, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie and Côte-Nord regions, including Gaspé, Donnacona, Montmagny, Sept-Îles and Port-Cartier.
  
  
• Construction of Rimouski's advanced Internet Data Centre. Built to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standards, TELUS' new Internet Data Centre 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Annual commitment to develop unique fundraising projects to benefit local charities such as Opération Enfant Soleil. TELUS donated more than $500,000 to this charity to support the development of quality pediatric 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, its team members and its three TELUS Community Boards in this province have donated close to $30 million to support local Quebec organizations, including Opération Enfant Soleil, the Dr Julien Foundation, Oeuvres Jean Lafrance and the Association du cancer de l'Est du Québec. Last year, our 5,500 team members in Quebec volunteered a total of 57,000 hours. In 2012, TELUS is committed to donate an extra $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 the Quebec economy and its 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. In support of its philosophy "We give where we live," the company has contributed almost $30 million to support local organizations in the Quebec community since 2005. Registered charities wishing to submit project funding requests to a TELUS Community Board are invited to apply at any time via the website, at telus.com/community.

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 communications products and services including wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, television, entertainment and video.

In support of our philosophy to give where we live, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed more than $260 million to 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]