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
RIMOUSKI, QC, July 2, 2024
/CNW/ - TELUS is pleased to announce an $8.5
million private investment in the Lower St. Lawrence region
this year to deploy and update its networks. This investment is
paired with the financial contribution of $3.5 million from the Government of Quebec and $2.9
million from the CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission) that will allow for the addition of
15 new 5G wireless sites in the region.
- The investments from the Government of Quebec announced in April 2024 will allow for the addition of 12 new
sites that will increase the service level for cellular coverage.
Among the sites are the municipalities of
Saint-Zénon-du-Lac-Humqui,
Saint-Léon-le-Grand, Saint-Cléophas, Saint-Charles-Garnier, Sainte-Marguerite-Marie, Sayabec, Saint-Valérien and La Rédemption.
Other sites are currently being evaluated for the region and
planning and preparatory work will begin in 2024. TELUS plans for
the first sites to be operational in 2025.
- As part of the CRTC Fund, the details of which were revealed
last year, a new wireless site will be activated in Saint-Vianney and two new sites in
Saint-René-de-Matane by the end of
the year. Activation of the sites in Saint-René-de-Matane and Routhierville will be begin in
2025.
Quotes
"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."
"Generational investments in the construction of new wireless
sites in Bas-Saint-Laurent have long been requested," notes
Chantale Lavoie, Prefect of La
Matapédia RCM. The investments from TELUS, the Government of
Quebec, and the CRTC will enhance
security in our territory, improve access to fibre optic and a
reliable, high-performing cellular network, and contribute to the
socio-economic development of the region."
"In Saint-Vianney, we have
actively worked to build a tower to get cellular coverage," says
Georges Guénard, Mayor of Saint-Vianney. "This initiative by TELUS
meets a need that is commonly raised by residents and is crucially
important to support the development of the municipality and
tourism. I'm very excited to see the project come to fruition."
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 $265,000 to several local organizations that have
an impact on youth in the Lower St. Lawrence region for different
projects, including Centre de pédiatrie sociale Rimouski-Neigette,
Moisson Rimouski-Neigette and La Ressource. 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
jacinthe.beaulieu@telus.com
SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.