Telus is investing $650 million in British Columbia in 2010 as it continues extending the reach and speed of its advanced wireline and wireless broadband services to more British Columbians.
“Since 2000, Telus has invested more than $22 billion in technology and operations in British Columbia. This significant commitment is bringing the benefits of one of the world’s most advanced wireless networks, high speed internet and high definition Telus TV to more people in our home province,” said Darren Entwistle, Telus president and CEO.
Mr. Entwistle added, “Telus’ massive investment in information, communications and technology is also delivering advances in priority areas such as healthcare, the environment and the quality of life for Aboriginal people. Telus is contributing to improved patient outcomes and efficiency in the health care sector with new technologies such as electronic health records and TeleHealth that help shift the focus from remediation to prevention of disease. We are also helping our clients reduce their impact on the environment by providing the latest telecommuting, conferencing and data management solutions enabling the movement of ideas and information instead of people, vehicles and paper. Telus’ commitment to expanding the reach of advanced broadband services is also enabling new education and commerce opportunities for dozens of Aboriginal communities in British Columbia.”
In 2010, Telus is continuing to invest heavily in broadband networks across B.C. to deliver advanced Internet services and high definition digital Telus TV. One of Telus’ innovative new services is an enhanced version of Telus TV (www.telus.com/tv) powered by Microsoft Mediaroom. This new platform offers customers a single personal video recorder (PVR) solution for the whole home. PVR Anywhere can record and play back shows on up to six TVs in a home, record three programs simultaneously from any room, and pause or record a show in one room and continue from the same spot in a different room.
This year Telus will also continue to expand its wireless broadband network throughout the province, building on the November 2009 launch of the fastest and biggest wireless network in B.C. and Canada*.
“Telus’ new wireless network enables speeds of up to 21 mbps(+) and reaches 93 per cent of Canada’s population, including British Columbians from Fort Nelson to the Haida Gwaii(xx), from Fernie to Tofino,” said Mr. Entwistle. “Having one of the world’s most advanced wireless networks gives our clients in British Columbia the choice of iconic devices such as the iPhone, BlackBerry devices, Android-powered smartphones, and our high speed wireless internet keys.”
Nini Baird, chair of the Telus Vancouver Community Board, added Telus’ commitment to B.C. communities extends beyond infrastructure and new services.
“In just 10 years from 2000 to the end of 2010, Telus, our team members and retirees will have contributed nearly $80 million and 2 million volunteer hours to charitable and community organizations in British Columbia. Building on our heartfelt tradition of community giving, Telus has supported more than 1,000 British Columbia charitable and non-profit organizations, including the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, BC Cancer Foundation, MoreSports, Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC, ArtStarts in Schools, Union Gospel Mission, Children’s Hearing and Speech Centre of BC, Covenant House, Gymnastics BC, Greater Vancouver Food Bank, Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), and the Take a Hike Youth At Risk Foundation.”
Telus was recently recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the 2010 Most Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation globally, the first time a Canadian company has ever received this international honour.
The capital investment disclosed in this release is consistent with Telus’ overall capital expenditure guidance for 2010.
