These investments are paired with a
significant contribution from the Government of Quebec and the CRTC to expand wireless
connectivity to rural and remote communities
HAVRE-SAINT-PIERRE, QC, July 2, 2024
/CNW/ - TELUS is pleased to announce a $6.6
million private investment in the North Shore region this
year to deploy and update its PureFibre and 5G networks. This
investment is paired with the financial contribution of
$6.8 million from the Government of
Quebec and $5.5 million from the CRTC (Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) that will allow
for the addition of nearly 10 new 5G wireless sites in the
region.
- As part of the CRTC Fund, the details of which were revealed
last year, TELUS activated a first site close to Lac Daigle north
of Sept-îles. New wireless sites will be activated in Baie-Johan-Beetz, Sept-Îles and Aguanish by the end of the year. The
activation of sites in Baie-Comeau, Rivière-au-Tonnerre, Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan and
Rivière-aux-Outardes is planned for 2025.
- The investments from the Government of Quebec announced in April 2024 will allow for the addition of a new
site in Godbout that will increase
the service level for cellular coverage. Planning and preparatory
work will begin in 2024. TELUS plans for the tower to be
operational in 2025.
"Generational investments in our world-class networks are
crucial to keeping Quebecers connected to people, information, and
essential resources, as well as benefiting from all the innovation
and evolution of our portfolio of products and services supported
by the power of these networks," says Nathalie Dionne, Regional Vice-President,
Marketing, TELUS. "Connectivity supports the development of our
regions, strengthens their appeal and accelerates their
environmental transition. It also contributes to bridging the
digital and socioeconomic gaps, offering every member of society
the opportunity to reach their full potential. Although our private
investments are crucial, we commend the commitments from the
Government of Quebec and the CRTC
to improve wireless coverage in our regions."
"I am pleased that TELUS is building new cell towers in our
region," said Paul Barriault,
Deputy Prefect of the Minganie RCM. "This initiative will have
a positive impact on our connectivity, while strengthening the
resilience and growth of our communities. With this additional step
in coverage, we are paving the way for a more connected and
prosperous future for a larger portion of our residents. We hope
that other impactful projects will enhance connectivity on major
arterial roads to ensure the safety of users and the development of
our region."
"This is excellent news for our small municipality of 300
citizens," says Léonard Labrie, Mayor of Aguanish. "Improving connectivity and
enhancing coverage by deploying new wireless sites is positive for
our large territory of nearly 600 square kilometres, particularly
for the security of our roads, the vitality of our communities and
regional development. This project was greatly anticipated and I'm
happy to see it come to fruition."
"Baie-Comeau is taking a leap
forward toward a new era of connectivity and progress with the news
of the construction of a new cell tower by TELUS," says
Michel Desbiens, Mayor of
Baie-Comeau. "This important
step strengthens not only our offer to citizens and tourists, but
also opens the way to economic growth and innovation. I would like
to thank TELUS for investing in our community so that it can
prosper in the digital age."
"TELUS's commitment to build a new cell tower in Sept-Îles is
excellent news," notes Denis
Miousse, Mayor of Sept-Îles. "This investment will help
provide better connectivity to businesses and citizens in our
community who, like those in major cities, need to rely on reliable
and efficient cellular coverage."
Sustainable investments for a better future
TELUS plans to invest $73 billion
in Canada by 2028, including
$10 billion in the Quebec economy, for its infrastructure,
operations and spectrum licensing and to improve the coverage,
speed and reliability of its world-class networks.
TELUS distinguishes itself by its ambitious vision for community
giving and its team's dedication to putting the company's "We give
where we live" philosophy into practice. From 2023 to today, the
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has given close to $60,000 to several local organizations that have
an impact on youth in the North Shore region for different
projects, including Maison des jeunes le Spoth de Chute-aux-Outardes, Maison des familles de
Baie-Comeau and Mission EXEKO
(Mingan, Pessamit and Sept-îles). This generosity reflects TELUS'
core belief that business success goes hand in hand with community
involvement.
The investments announced in this news release reflect TELUS'
overall capital expenditure guidance for 2024, which was released
on February 9, 2024 during the
company's fourth financial quarter of 2023.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements about
future events and plans, 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 a cautionary note and based on the assumptions, qualifications
and risks described in detail in TELUS' annual management reports
for 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, 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 of the date of this news
release, and are therefore 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 neither intends nor is obligated
to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained in
this document.
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 Digital
Experience (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:
Jacinthe Beaulieu
TELUS
Media Relations
acinthe.beaulieu@telus.com
SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.