Investment to focus on building
next-generation networks, fueling innovation and sustainability,
and driving economic growth
CALGARY,
AB, April 17, 2024 /CNW/ - TELUS is
committing $135 million in
Calgary this year to significantly
expand and improve its infrastructure, operations and services.
These investments are critical to connecting Calgarians with the
people, resources and information that enrich their lives and
underscores TELUS' unwavering commitment to Alberta. Since 2000, TELUS has invested more
than $60 billion in Alberta to build and develop network
infrastructure, operations and spectrum, connecting families and
businesses to TELUS' world-leading 5G and TELUS PureFibre networks
and cementing TELUS' position as the province's best internet
service provider.*
"We live in a digital world, and this investment continues
TELUS' legacy of making vital contributions to advance the economic
strength and social vitality of Calgary and the province of Alberta," said Navin
Arora, Executive Vice President, TELUS and President, TELUS
Business Solutions, TELUS Health, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer
Goods, and TELUS Partner Solutions. "This investment is driven by
our purpose to enact meaningful change for people in Calgary and around the world, to empower
communities, drive innovation and sustainability, and build a
friendly future for everyone who lives, works and serves in the
great City of Calgary."
"Calgarians have been and will always be innovators at their
core, and we see global challenges being solved every day." said
Brad Parry, President and CEO,
Calgary Economic Development and CEO, Opportunity Calgary
Investment Fund. "TELUS' significant investment to expand
connectivity in Calgary, and our
province, builds upon our momentum as an innovative, future-focused
city, and helps position our city as a top destination for
companies, capital and talent."
In our digital economy, TELUS is shaping the future by using its
world-leading networks to enhance productivity and foster positive
innovations in health, education, agriculture, climate change,
energy, transportation and social equity, helping to fuel economic
growth across the province. Driven by a deep sense of compassion
and inspired by its dedicated team, TELUS is committed to
addressing the most pressing challenges of our time. The company is
focused on delivering industry-best technology solutions and
programs that positively impact lives, with ongoing plans through
2028 to make a meaningful difference in Alberta and across Canada.
Now through 2028 in Calgary,
TELUS is:
- Enhancing our world-leading networks and making them even
faster, smarter, and greener
- TELUS is enhancing Canada's 5G network with ORAN technology
across Alberta and Canada, creating more reliable, faster
connections. It's not just smarter; it's also kinder to our planet
by using resources more efficiently and cutting down on energy
use.
- Empowering Canadian businesses through Stand With Owners
- Through #StandWithOwners TELUS has proudly committed more
than $3.5 million since 2020,
championing hundreds of owners and small businesses with funding,
advertising and technology to help their business grow and thrive,
empowering them so they continue to move our economy and society
forward. ○ As part of TELUS' greater commitment to the growth
of Canadian business, over $450
million has been invested to support entrepreneurs,
start-ups and leaders of tomorrow through the TELUS Pollinator Fund
for Good and TELUS Ventures since their respective inception dates
in 2020 and 2001.
- Celebrating 5 years of making healthcare more accessible in
Calgary
- Since 2019, TELUS Health for Good Mobile Clinics have enabled
the delivery of healthcare for marginalized Calgarians. The program
has served more than 12,000 patient visits working in partnership
with The Alex, preventing thousands of emergency room visits and
easing the burden on Calgary's
healthcare facilities. Across Canada, TELUS has committed over $13 million in cash, in-kind contributions, time
and support.
- Creating a more sustainable food system with TELUS
Agriculture
- In 2021, TELUS invested $1
million into the Olds College Smart Farm, kickstarting
efforts to drive the sustainable production of food, reflecting our
commitment to smarter farming and highlighting the crucial role of
technology in feeding our growing world efficiently and
sustainably.
- Innovating for a more sustainable future in Alberta and beyond
- TELUS' 2023 Sustainability Report highlights our
significant efforts and progress to meet our ambitious goal to use
100 per cent renewable energy by 2025. Notably, TELUS recently
issued two sustainability-linked bonds totaling $1.35 billion. Our dedication to environmental
goals has earned us a spot on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index
for the 23rd consecutive year.
- In 2023, TELUS emphasized its leadership in sustainability by
celebrating Circular Economy Month, having successfully diverted 15
million devices from landfills and upcycled or recycled four
million mobile devices since 2010.
- With nearly 6 million trees planted in 2023 alone, TELUS is
intensifying its reforestation efforts in Alberta. Our innovative partnerships, like
those with Flash Forest, utilize drones for rapid reforestation,
helping to restore vital ecosystems and natural habitats.
- Highlighting Indigenous voices and stories
- TELUS has contributed over $6.2
million to local content creators since 2018, funding over
550 Indigenous projects across B.C. and Alberta through TELUS STORYHIVE and TELUS
originals .
- STORYHIVE On Location with Braden Kadlun is a livestream series
that explores conversations with various Indigenous businesses,
artists, entrepreneurs and storytellers from the community of
Calgary and Lloydminster. The project highlights a unique
and locally reflective perspective on community life. Watch this
project now on TELUS Optik TV channel 9 and YouTube .
- As part of the TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund, which offers
grants up to $50,000 for
Indigenous-led social, health and community programs, Big Horn
Health Services in Alberta
received funds to support Goodstoney First Nation through their Big
Horn Reserve Recreation Facility Project. A new accessible
playground will foster community-wellness and be equipped with a
range of play experiences to meet the physical, cognitive and
social needs of children and youth.
- Stepping up for Albertans when they need us most
- TELUS is dedicated to safeguarding Canadian communities against
wildfires through strategic investments via the TELUS Pollinator
Fund for Good in technologies like Dryad Networks' ultra-early
forest fire detection systems and Flash Forest's reforestation
unmanned aerial vehicles.
- In 2023, TELUS donated $5 million
in cash and in-kind support for wildfire relief efforts, including
crucial connectivity for first responders and affected individuals.
This contribution also supported a 24-hour crisis line, provided
comfort kits for those displaced, and enhanced fundraising efforts
for key charities, showcasing TELUS' commitment to leveraging
technology for better disaster response and ongoing support for the
community.
From 2000 through 2023, TELUS has invested $259 billion nationally in network
infrastructure, operations and spectrum. These investments are
consistent with TELUS' capital expenditure guidance for 2024 as
disclosed in our fourth quarter 2023 results and 2024 targets news
release dated February 9, 2024.
TELUS also embraces tax morale as a means of further investing
in our communities. Since 2000, TELUS has paid approximately
$57 billion in total tax and spectrum
remittances to our federal, provincial and municipal governments
across Canada, consisting of
corporate income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, employer
portion of payroll taxes, various regulatory fees and spectrum
remittances, including more than $2.3
billion in taxes in 2023 alone. These funds support public
works projects, education, healthcare, cultural pursuits and other
initiatives that improve the social and economic well-being of our
communities.
TELUS' commitment to Calgary
extends well beyond investments in operations and infrastructure.
Since 2000, TELUS, our team members and retirees have provided over
$65 million in cash, in-kind and
program contributions and volunteered more than 1.2 million hours
of service in support of charities and community organizations
located in Calgary.
Since 2000, TELUS, our team members and retirees have provided
over $265 million in cash, in-kind
contributions, time and programs and volunteered 3.7 million hours
to charities and community organizations located in Alberta.
Forward-Looking
Statements
This news release contains statements about future events and
plans that are forward-looking, 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 the cautionary note and based on the assumptions, qualifications
and risks described in detail in TELUS' 2023 annual Management's
discussion and analysis, which is 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 at the date of this press release and are 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 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 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 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 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 70 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.
*PCMag Best ISPs 2023
SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.